Do I Have Gilbert’s Syndrome?

Do you have a family history of Gilbert’s syndrome?

Do you have an occasional yellowish tinge of the skin and the whites of the eyes?

Have you noticed that you have a mild jaundice (yellowish tinge of the skin and the whites of the eyes) during illness, such as a cold or the flu, stress, strenuous exercise or fasting?

If you are a woman, have you noticed that you have a mild jaundice (yellowish tinge of the skin and the whites of the eyes) during your period?

Do you have abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea?

Do you often feel very tired (fatigue)?

Do you have loss of appetite?

Do you have dizziness?

Do you have a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (digestive disorder that causes stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation)?

Do you have problems concentrating and thinking clearly (brain fog)?

Do you have a general sense of feeling unwell?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Gilbert’s syndrome. Gilbert's syndrome is an inherited disease characterized by slightly elevated blood levels of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is formed as a by-product in the process of breaking down worn-out red blood cells. People with Gilbert’s syndrome have low levels of a specific liver enzyme needed for the elimination of bilirubin. This condition is also known as familial nonhemolytic jaundice. People with this condition often have no symptoms and do not know they have Gilbert's syndrome; they accidentally discover it after doing blood tests for some other reason.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Gilbert’s syndrome. Gilbert’s syndrome is a genetic liver disorder. People with this condition cannot process bilirubin properly due to a congenital deficiency of an enzyme that breaks down bilirubin in the liver. Normally, bilirubin is broken down in the liver to be excreted later in the stool. However, in people with Gilbert's syndrome, it is impossible to break it down completely, so they have elevated blood levels of bilirubin. Your doctor may suspect Gilbert's syndrome based on elevated blood bilirubin levels or unexplained jaundice. Blood tests and liver function tests are necessary to make a diagnosis.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Gilbert’s syndrome. Gilbert’s syndrome is a mild genetic disorder of the liver that is characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. People with Gilbert’s syndrome cannot process bilirubin properly, so it accumulates in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is formed by the breakdown of old red blood cells. People with Gilbert's syndrome usually have symptoms in certain situations, for example during illness (cold or flu), stress, fasting or eating a low-calorie diet, strenuous exercise or lack of sleep. Gilbert's syndrome usually poses no health risk and does not require treatment.