Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Gilbert syndrome is the most well-known name for this condition, but it may also be referred to as:
Bilirubin becomes elevated in people with Gilbert syndrome because they have an insufficient amount of a certain liver enzyme that’s necessary to remove it from the body. Many people with Gilbert syndrome will be asymptomatic, meaning they have no noticeable signs of the condition.
However, in some people, bilirubin levels increase to the point of causingjaundice, or a yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Augustine Gilbert and Pierre Lerebullet first mentioned Gilbert syndrome in medical literature in 1901. Current statistics estimate it affects approximately 3% to 7% of the U.S. population and is most often found during adolescence.It affects men more than women and can be found in people of all ethnic backgrounds.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
How Does Gilbert Syndrome Make You Feel?
About 30% of people with Gilbert syndrome have no signs or symptoms.The symptoms of Gilbert syndrome may go undetected for years before a stressor acts on the body to increase bilirubin levels or a routine test or checkup is performed for another reason.
Factors that can influence bilirubin levels include:
The primary symptom of Gilbert syndrome is jaundice, however, some people with the condition have reported additional symptoms, including:
But there’s some discrepancy as to whether or not these other symptoms are indicative of elevated blood levels of bilirubin. Instead, some researchers believe they may simultaneously occur due to the presence of other conditions or illnesses.
What Causes Gilbert Syndrome?
Gilbert syndrome is agenetic, inherited condition, which means it’s passed down through families. The onset of the syndrome may be associated with the hormonal changes that occur with puberty.
People who have the syndrome have an impaired gene, called the UGT1A1 gene, which makes it difficult for the liver to sufficiently remove bilirubin from the blood. Since bilirubin isn’t excreted from the body at normal rates, it collects in the bloodstream, and eventually, it can tint the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes a shade of yellow.
Aside from a genetic variant, there are no other known causes of Gilbert syndrome. The condition isn’t linked to severe liver diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis C, lifestyle practices, or environmental influences.
How Genetic Disorders Are Inherited
How Is Gilbert Syndrome Diagnosed?
Although Gilbert syndrome may be present at birth, it’s not likely to be diagnosed until around puberty.
Most cases of the syndrome are found when blood tests are drawn for other conditions, like infections, illness, or routine lab work. These blood tests may reveal a slight increase in levels of bilirubin without the presence of symptoms.
A diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome is made if your bilirubin is elevated without signs ofhemolysis(also known as a premature breakdown of your red blood cells) or signs of liver damage.
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with Gilbert syndrome, such as jaundice, your healthcare provider may order lab work to assess your bilirubin levels and tests to evaluate yourliver function.
Additionally, your practitioner may recommend agenetic test, though it may not be necessary to establish a diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome.
Gilbert Syndrome Treatment
Since Gilbert syndrome is considered a mild condition, often, it doesn’t warrant any treatment at all. Though the syndrome is lifelong, it rarely has a significant impact on your overall health. Furthermore, it doesn’t increase your risk of developing liver disease or other complications.
When jaundice is present, it tends to be temporary and brief, and it often resolves on its own. You may find that making some lifestyle changes, like staying hydrated, managing stress, and eating regular meals may minimize episodes of jaundice.
How Jaundice Is Treated
Gilbert syndrome is associated with a life expectancy.In fact, studies have shown that people with the condition may have a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).Bilirubin was once thought to be toxic to the body’s cells. However, some research suggests bilirubin may possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial properties that protect the heart.
Increased levels of bilirubin may guard the major blood vessels of the heart from the oxidative stress associated withcoronary artery disease (CAD).
Currently, more research is needed into the link between bilirubin and the protective properties it may have on the heart. At the present time, it’s unclear what mechanisms of action in the body contribute to bilirubin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also, it’s important to note that other studies have encountered contradictory findings between bilirubin and its protective impact on CAD.
Certain medications, like cholesterol-lowering drugs, may exacerbate jaundice. Talk to your healthcare provider about any medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, that you may be taking.
The genetic variants that cause Gilbert syndrome may make some individuals more susceptible to toxicity from certain medications.
Summary
Gilbert syndrome is a mild genetic condition affecting the liver and causing elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. People may have no symptoms or mild symptoms and treatment is often not necessary.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Gilbert syndrome.Medline Plus.Gilbert syndrome.National Health Service.Gilbert’s syndrome.Kartoun U, Fahed AC, Kany S, et al.Exploring the link between Gilbert’s syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: insights from a subpopulation-based analysis of over one million individuals. Bäck M, ed. European Heart Journal Open. 2023;3(3):oead059. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead059McArdle PF, Whitcomb BW, Tanner K, et al.Association between bilirubin and cardiovascular disease risk factors: using Mendelian randomization to assess causal inference. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012 Mar 14;12:16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2261-12-16Additional ReadingCleveland Clinic.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Gupta N, Singh T, Chaudhary R, et al.Bilirubin in coronary artery disease: Cytotoxic or protective?World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2016 Nov 6; 7(4): 469–476. DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i4.469.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gilbert Syndrome.NHS.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Wagner KH, Shiels RG, Lang CA, Khoei NS, Bulmer AC.Diagnostic criteria and contributors to Gilbert’s syndrome.Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.2018 February; 55(2): DOI: 10408363.2018.1428526.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Gilbert syndrome.Medline Plus.Gilbert syndrome.National Health Service.Gilbert’s syndrome.Kartoun U, Fahed AC, Kany S, et al.Exploring the link between Gilbert’s syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: insights from a subpopulation-based analysis of over one million individuals. Bäck M, ed. European Heart Journal Open. 2023;3(3):oead059. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead059McArdle PF, Whitcomb BW, Tanner K, et al.Association between bilirubin and cardiovascular disease risk factors: using Mendelian randomization to assess causal inference. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012 Mar 14;12:16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2261-12-16Additional ReadingCleveland Clinic.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Gupta N, Singh T, Chaudhary R, et al.Bilirubin in coronary artery disease: Cytotoxic or protective?World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2016 Nov 6; 7(4): 469–476. DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i4.469.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gilbert Syndrome.NHS.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Wagner KH, Shiels RG, Lang CA, Khoei NS, Bulmer AC.Diagnostic criteria and contributors to Gilbert’s syndrome.Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.2018 February; 55(2): DOI: 10408363.2018.1428526.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Gilbert syndrome.Medline Plus.Gilbert syndrome.National Health Service.Gilbert’s syndrome.Kartoun U, Fahed AC, Kany S, et al.Exploring the link between Gilbert’s syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: insights from a subpopulation-based analysis of over one million individuals. Bäck M, ed. European Heart Journal Open. 2023;3(3):oead059. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead059McArdle PF, Whitcomb BW, Tanner K, et al.Association between bilirubin and cardiovascular disease risk factors: using Mendelian randomization to assess causal inference. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012 Mar 14;12:16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2261-12-16
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Gilbert syndrome.
Medline Plus.Gilbert syndrome.
National Health Service.Gilbert’s syndrome.
Kartoun U, Fahed AC, Kany S, et al.Exploring the link between Gilbert’s syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: insights from a subpopulation-based analysis of over one million individuals. Bäck M, ed. European Heart Journal Open. 2023;3(3):oead059. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead059
McArdle PF, Whitcomb BW, Tanner K, et al.Association between bilirubin and cardiovascular disease risk factors: using Mendelian randomization to assess causal inference. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012 Mar 14;12:16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2261-12-16
Cleveland Clinic.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Gupta N, Singh T, Chaudhary R, et al.Bilirubin in coronary artery disease: Cytotoxic or protective?World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2016 Nov 6; 7(4): 469–476. DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i4.469.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gilbert Syndrome.NHS.Gilbert’s Syndrome.Wagner KH, Shiels RG, Lang CA, Khoei NS, Bulmer AC.Diagnostic criteria and contributors to Gilbert’s syndrome.Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.2018 February; 55(2): DOI: 10408363.2018.1428526.
Cleveland Clinic.Gilbert’s Syndrome.
Gupta N, Singh T, Chaudhary R, et al.Bilirubin in coronary artery disease: Cytotoxic or protective?World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2016 Nov 6; 7(4): 469–476. DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i4.469.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gilbert Syndrome.
NHS.Gilbert’s Syndrome.
Wagner KH, Shiels RG, Lang CA, Khoei NS, Bulmer AC.Diagnostic criteria and contributors to Gilbert’s syndrome.Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.2018 February; 55(2): DOI: 10408363.2018.1428526.
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