Gilberts Syndrome

[Tind1]

A 17 year old friend has just been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome - are there any support/information networks out there for them as they are feeling apprehensive and a bit scared about it all - and don't really know what to expect.

[MisterX]

Hi,

The British Liver Trust information is here.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

It's usually a harmless condition - normally only shows in blood tests where the level of bilirubin is higher than normally expected. It's quite common.

Hope that helps.

Best of luck.

[Tind1 in reply to MisterX]

Thanks. They are very sporty - competing at quite a high level and aiming for a sporting career. I think the advice to avoid exertion (as that exacerbates symptoms) is worrying them and adding to the stress. Does anyone have experience of balancing/managing a heavy physical workload or examples of sporting success stories of people who have the sydrome?

[AyrshireK]

A colleague of mine has just retired after his full 30 years police service (so pretty active/physically & mentally demanding work) and he has a diagnosis of Gilbert's Syndrome and it didn't affect him at all. Lives life to the full.

Fingers crossed your friend has a normal life despite a diagnosis with this condition.

Katie

[Tind1]

Thanks x

[AlexandriaUK]

My other half was diagnosed with GS when in his 30s weight trainer from teens and still doing it at 67 never ever shown the slightest effect on him, he was never toid not to exercise

[Tind1]

Thanks. Do symptoms vary much with GS? They've been told to avoid exertion by the drs, so have been unable to do the off season training they've been expecting to do. They are also struggling with the lack of appetite and not eating much, having difficulties focusing on their studies and feeling really tired. But its only been a few week's since diagnosis and I don't know whether the stress/anxiety of finding out they have something they'd never heard of (and don't really know how it will affect them) is making things much harder and contributing to those symptoms.

I want to be really positive with them and the future- but don't want them to see it that I'm not being understanding and it look like I'm being dismissive and not taking GS seriously. The responses so far seem to be very positive for them