Elevated Bilirubin with normal remaining LFT

[spacecadet]

Hi, new to the site & hoping someone can help.

I have a thyroid problem so regularly have bloods taken (thyroid panel, u’s & e’s & LFT). Had them done a couple of weeks ago & had a call from my GP to say I need another LFT doing as there was a problem with the previous test. Had the bloods redone today so obviously don’t have the results yet.

I did however see my thyroid specialist on Saturday & after we discussed my medication, it was me who had to mention my LFT results (I checked as some thyroid meds can affect your liver so you have to be careful). If I hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have. When he checked, he said my bilirubin was elevated (& had been since January - prior to Jan, I had a FBC done in November 18 & all was fine). He said my bilirubin levels were 26 (jan), 32 (end Aug) & 30 (end Nov).

I didn’t know anything about bilirubin at the time so didn’t know to check if it was direct or indirect he was looking at. All other parts of the LFT were fine. but when I asked if he knew what this meant, he strongly suspected it meant I have Gilbert’s Syndrome (& he explained a bit about it).

Does anyone know anything else elevated bilirubin on its own could mean, especially if it was the direct result he was looking at (having googled - I know - afterwards, I’m surmising it was direct as he was so insistent at the likelihood of GS)

I’m just wondering what the GP is hoping to glean by having another blood test done so soon after the last one, especially if the other aspects of the LFT are normal.

Thanks for reading & for any advice.

[spacecadet]

Sorry I think I meant indirect bilirubin rather than direct.

[spacecadet]

Really should’ve proof read properly - the final reading in Nov should’ve been 40, not 30 🙄

[spacecadet]

Shamelessly bumping to see if anyone can help?

[AyrshireK]

I know that you are desperately seeking answers, however, none of us on the page are qualified - or by forum rules allowed - to offer any sort of advice regarding blood test results.

Hope you get some answers from your doctors very soon.

Katie

[Hidden]

Good fternoon spacecadet,

Welcome to this friendly forum.

As AyrshireK suggested, we are unable to comment on specific blood tests, however, often GPs will repeat tests as often a series of tests can be more useful than a 'one off'.

Your question is best put to the GP directly.

As there has been as suggestion of Gilberts Syndrome, I have attached the link for your information as it may help to guide your questions to your GP.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes ,

Trust9

[spacecadet]

Thanks for your help

[Parkerfam]

I’ve had consistently normal LFTS and normal to elevated bilirubin (just slightly over) for years. I’ve just had an entire work-up, including liver biopsy because I also had “equivocally” elevated AMAs. My fibroscan was 11.7 (IT WAS WRONG BY FAR). The result was slight fatty liver, no PBC, no fibrosis. I’ve also had gallstones for years and suspect my gallbladder has a role in the elevated bilirubin, if not from Gilbert’s. Gilberts seems to be a benign genetic condition so I’m not worried. Even if gallstones are not present, people can get “bile sludge” the slows down the bile flow as well. I’m just starting to take some purified ox bile salts to see if they have any effect on my bilirubin level in the future. Hope my experience helps in some way!

[spacecadet]

I’ve just seen your message Parkerfam so sorry for the delayed reply. Thanks for the message. It’s all very confusing. I ended up getting a letter from the doctor with an ultrasound referral which is now worrying me. The doctors receptionist gave me my levels but I’m not sure I understand much about them so that doesn’t help. The only thing that is raised still is the bilirubin so I’m having a scan & a re treat of bloods in 3 months. Not sure if it’s normal to have a scan if they suspect GS or what else it could be if it’s not GS. I really don’t have any symptoms (except fatigue but then I also have Dysautonomia & Thyroid Disease so they also give me fatigue)