Gilbert’s Syndrome
What is Gilbert's syndrome?
Gilbert's syndrome is a fairly common, mild liver disorder. People with this disorder have a moderate, fluctuating increase in serum bilirubin, a yellow pigment excreted by the liver into bile.
Small amounts of bilirubin are normally present in the blood. It is produced from the natural breakdown of hemoglobin (the red pigment of red blood cells) in bone marrow, the spleen and other organs. It is carried to the liver in the blood. In the liver, it undergoes a series of chemical changes and is then excreted into bile. Next, it undergoes further chemical changes in the intestines and from there passes out of the body. However, when red blood cells breakdown excessively or there is interference in the bile excretion process, the amount of bilirubin increases and may produce jaundice - a yellow discoloration of the skin and/or eyes.
In people with Gilbert's syndrome, the bilirubin level often goes up and down. At times, it may be within the normal range. At other times, the level will be higher than normal but not dangerously so.
Who is most likely to develop Gilbert's syndrome?
Scientists believe that it is an inherited disorder. It is estimated that between three to seven percent of all adults have Gilbert's syndrome. It is much more common in males and usually first appears when people are in their teens or early adulthood (20s and 30s).
What are the symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome?
For some people there are very few symptoms and often they are not aware they have the disorder. However, in other people mild jaundice may appear and the whites of the eyes may be yellowish. Others have reported gastrointestinal complaints as well as fatigue, weakness and abdominal pain. However, it is not clear whether these symptoms are directly related to higher levels of bilirubin.
How is Gilbert's syndrome diagnosed?
Often Gilbert's syndrome is diagnosed by chance when blood is examined for another reason. Serum bilirubin increases with fasting or an intercurrent illness such as influenza. To avoid misdiagnosis, the physician must distinguish between this benign disorder and other more serious causes of liver dysfunction.
The diagnosis can usually be made by clinical history, physical examination, blood tests and urinalysis.
How is Gilbert's syndrome treated?
Gilbert's syndrome rarely requires any treatment. People with the disorder lead normal, healthy lives.
For more information on Gilbert's syndrome or any other form of liver disease, please contact us.
