Gilbert's syndrome: symptoms & diagnosis
What are the symptoms of Gilbert’s Syndrome?
Gilbert’s Syndrome is usually discovered by chance when a routine or unrelated blood test reveals a rise in the level of bilirubin in your blood. it is likely that you will be told that you have high or raised ‘serum bilirubin’.
Other symptoms
While jaundice is the only recognized clinical symptom, many people with GS report a number of common symptoms or effects they attribute to the disorder. This is why they may have a blood test in the first place. Such symptoms include:
- feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
- loss of appetite
- nausea or dizziness
- abdominal pain
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- difficulty maintaining concentration
- very dark urine.
Such symptoms appear to occur in varying degrees (and some are common to many liver diseases). At least 30% of people with GS do not show any symptoms at all.
How is Gilbert’s Syndrome diagnosed?
Gilbert’s Syndrome is often diagnosed in your late teens and early twenties. In most cases doctors should be able to establish diagnosis on the basis of liver blood tests and jaundice, if you have it.
Investigation following jaundice diagnosis
Where jaundice is evident, medical staff may seek diagnosis by excluding more serious forms of liver disease. GS is one of the most common causes of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, but there are others. These include a rare and dangerous disorder called Crigler-Najjar syndrome which is inherited from the same gene.
If your diagnosis involves further testing or delay of some sort you may experience some anxiety before other possibilities can be ruled out.
For this reason it is important that doctors diagnose GS as soon as possible.
Further Information
Looking after yourself
Having GS should not prevent you leading a normal life in any way.
There are a number of circumstances that are considered likely to cause your bilirubin levels to rise. Some of these cannot be helped but you might manage your situation better if you can avoid the following:
- dieting or fasting
- dehydration
- emotional stress or anxiety
- infectious illnesses
- heavy physical exertion that can leave you feeling drained
- lack of sleep.
Diet and nutrition
It is important to eat regularly and healthily, and drink plenty of water. Avoid crash diets or fasting as this may cause your bilirubin levels to rise. Dehydration can also have the same affect.
Support
Please visit the support section of our website for information on Support groups in your area or visit our Useful Links section for other organisations who may be able to offer information and support.
Please visit the support section of our website for information on Support groups in your area.