Live Life Team
Gilbert’s syndrome has been diagnosed as the major trigger for the genetic condition known as unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. This is an autosomal recessive condition. The major characteristic associated with the presence of Gilbert’s syndrome is the development of jaundice intermittently, despite the non-presence of any liver diseases or haemolysis.
Gilbert’s syndrome is of a very mild nature. It is benign.
The other terms which are used for this condition are; low-grade chronic hyperbilirubinemia; Familial non-hemolytic-non-obstructive jaundice; Icterus intermittens juvenilis; Constitutional liver dysfunction as well as Unconjugated benign bilirubinemia.
Symptoms
The general symptom which is associated with this condition is the presence of jaundice. In normal cases, people who have Gilbert’s syndrome may not develop jaundice. But those who have Gilbert’s syndrome and are under excessive stress, exertion or fasting develop jaundice. Another factor triggering the development of jaundice in a person who has Gilbert’s syndrome is the presence of any infections that may affect liver.
In certain cases, the persons may develop abdominal discomfort that is very vague. People may also experience fatigue. But these disappear very fast and no special care is required.
People may also develop nausea or a sensation of vomiting, appetite loss lethargy as well as tiredness.
Causes:
The major triggers of Gilbert’s syndrome include fasting which leads to the increasing of the level of plasma unconjugated bilirubin, recurring illness like infections caused by the viruses, dehydration in excessive amounts, excessive or irregular menstrual cycle or any excessive stress like overexertion as well as trauma.
Diagnosis
Gilbert’s disease is an inherited condition. The faulty gene causing Gilbert’s syndrome may be inherited from the parents.
A person is diagnosed with this condition often when the person is in his or her teens or in the early twenties. Since the condition is easily diagnosable, no special genetic tests are required.
A blood sample from the patient is taken. This is sent for performing a complete blood count. The level of functioning or performance of the liver is also tested.
The next test that a doctor advises the patient to undergo to diagnose the presence of Gilbert’s syndrome if the check for the level of bilirubin. If the person has bilirubin that is not soluble in water in very high levels, then only this condition needs to be checked.
Other tests are performed to rule out the chances for the presence of any disorders related to liver, if the person has jaundice.
Treatment
There is no treatment required for Gilbert’s syndrome. This is because the condition is benign and very mild.
The jaundice associated with the condition of Gilbert’s syndrome will be found in a person intermittently. So care must be taken to avoid the triggers of jaundice.
Complications
As such there are no complications associated with Gilbert’s syndrome. But the complications like sever failure of liver may happen if the person does not take proper care when he develops jaundice.
