| Gilbert's syndrome is a harmless condition but often | | | | inherited abnormality that causes reduced production |
| causes anxiety before the condition is diagnosed. It is | | | | of an enzyme involved in processing bilirubin. It is |
| arguably the most common medical syndrome | | | | often first diagnosed in the late teens or early |
| identified.Gilbert's Syndrome is detected by finding a | | | | twenties. |
| slightly raised bilirubin level in the blood with no other | | | | Causes of Gilbert's syndrome |
| abnormalities of liver function and no signs of liver | | | | The common causes and risk factor's of Gilbert's |
| disease. It is the most common hereditary cause of | | | | syndrome include the following: |
| increased bilirubin, and is found in up to 5% of the | | | | Mutation in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene. |
| population. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in Gilbert | | | | Fasting: This produces an increase in the plasma |
| syndrome has long been recognized as due to | | | | unconjugated bilirubin level. |
| underactivity of the conjugating enzyme system | | | | Stress, such as trauma and overexertion. |
| bilirubin-uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase. The | | | | Menstrual periods. |
| main symptom is otherwise harmless jaundice which | | | | Intercurrent illness, such as a viral infection. |
| does not require treatment, caused by elevated | | | | Symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome |
| levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream. | | | | Some sign and symptoms related to Gilbert's |
| Also known as constitutional hepatic dysfunction, | | | | syndrome are as follows: |
| unconjugated benign bilirubinemia and familial | | | | Gilbert's Syndrome is generally harmless and does not |
| nonhemolytic jaundice, Gilbert's syndrome typically | | | | produce any symptoms, although some sufferers |
| doesn't require treatment or pose serious | | | | complain of excessive fatigue. |
| complications. Bilirubin levels tend particularly to be | | | | Mild jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes). |
| increased in Gilbert syndrome with starvation or | | | | Loss of appetite. |
| dehydration. | | | | Pain in the abdomen (uncommon). |
| Gilbert's syndrome is most often recognised in the | | | | Weakness. |
| second or third decade of life and is rarely diagnosed | | | | Treatment of Gilbert's syndrome |
| before puberty. Men are often affected more than | | | | Here is list of the methods for treating Gilbert's |
| women. It can also frequently coexist with the | | | | syndrome: |
| conditions associated with unconjugated | | | | Gilbert's syndrome seems to be a lifelong disorder, |
| hyperbilirubinemia, such as thalassemia and | | | | but it usually doesn't need medical treatment. |
| glucose-6-phosphate deficiency. Gilbert's is often | | | | Medication that helps the enzyme work better may |
| diagnosed in the late teens and early twenties. The | | | | be used to treat the jaundice if it becomes a |
| condition is inherited and is relatively common being | | | | problem. |
| estimated to affect about 1 person in 20. The source | | | | Phenobarbitone in small doses can sometimes help |
| of this hyperbilirubinemia is reduced activity of the | | | | clear the jaundice. |
| enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) which conjugates | | | | People with Gilbert's syndrome don't typically need |
| bilirubin and some other lipophilic molecules. In people | | | | long-term monitoring of their condition or repeat |
| with Gilbert's syndrome, the bilirubin level often goes | | | | blood tests. |
| up and down. At times, it may be within the normal | | | | If you're distressed by jaundice, the barbiturate |
| range. People with Gilbert's syndrome have an | | | | medication phenobarbital may reduce bilirubin levels. |