by Michelle Badash, MS
Gilberts syndrome is a common, benign genetic liver disorder. It causes levels of bilirubin to rise above normal levels. Bilirubin is a yellow chemical by-product of hemoglobin (the red pigment in blood cells) and is usually excreted by the liver as bile.
Gilberts syndrome is found in 3%-7% of the US population, affecting up to 10% of some Caucasian populations. This condition usually manifests during the teen years or in adulthood years (ages 20-30).
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Gilbert's syndrome is usually caused by an inherited genetic abnormality. Symptoms occur when there is an interference with the liver enzyme that is important in the elimination of bilirubin. This causes the levels of bilirubin to increase in the blood, which may produce symptoms such as jaundice .
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The risk factors for Gilberts syndrome are:
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Family members with Gilbert's syndrome (autosomal dominant trait)People who have Gilberts syndrome have a 50% chance of passing it on to each of their children.
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Sex: male
Often, there are no symptoms of Gilberts syndrome. However, people who do have symptoms may experience:
Jaundice (yellowing) of the whites of the eyes
Jaundice of the skin
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Darkening of the urine
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Liver function tests
Blood tests are also done to rule out more serious liver diseases, such as hepatitis . Sometimes, a liver biopsy may also need to be done to rule out other liver diseases.
Treatment
No treatment is necessary for Gilberts syndrome. Usually, symptoms will disappear on their own.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent Gilberts syndrome. However, you may prevent symptoms by avoiding the following:
Skipping meals or fasting
Dehydration (too little fluid in the body)
Vigorous exercise
Repeated bouts of vomiting
Stress or trauma
RESOURCES:
American Liver Foundation
http://www.liverfoundation.org/
Gilberts Web
http://www.gilbertsweb.co.uk
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Institute for Health Information
http://www.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=home_e
Canadian Liver Foundation
http://www.liver.ca/Home.aspx
References:
American Liver Foundationwebsite. Available at: http://www.liverfoundation.org .
Harrison's Onlinewebsite. Available at: http://www.harrisonsonline.com .
Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000301.htm .
Last reviewed October 2007 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
