Jaundice advise

[Gemmaswann]

Hello

Just hoping someone might put my mind at ease. I’m currently jaundice (they think obstructive jaundice as I’ve already had my gallbladder removed) and although my bilirubin is dropping and I think my skin colour is lessening, my eyes are staying yellow- if anything they maybe more yellow. Are there ‘stages of jaundice’?? Thanks Gemma

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Gemma.

There are different stages of jaundice but it all depends on what the cause is. There are many different causes.

If as you say the bilirubin in your blood that is causing it is decreasing then that's good news. When I had jaundice it was first noticed in my eyes and then my skin slightly yellowed.

After a couple of weeks my skin was back to normal and the yellowing in my eyes was the last thing to disappear.

I hope that this is of some help.

Best wishes.

Alf.

[Gemmaswann in reply to alfredthegreat]

Thanks Alf, I am feeling better and my bloods show the bilirubin is dropping but I am still a very yellow colour, maybe there is a lag between levels in blood dropping and skin/eyes showing it. Thanks Gemma

[alfredthegreat in reply to Gemmaswann]

Hi Gemma.

yes, it takes time for the system to clear.

I don't know what your albumin levels are like? I was always very low on albumin and was told to try to keep my albumin levels up as this would help and also told to avoid fatty foods.

If your level is low, you can find albumin in dairy products, meat, nuts, beans, lentils and a high concentration is found in egg white.

Hope it all clears for you soon.

Best wishes.

Alf.

[Gemmaswann in reply to alfredthegreat]

Thank you, I will find out what my levels are doing, Gemma

[jacobsmum24]

I have had a couple of spells of being jaundiced and it was noticeable in my eyes first, then my skin. When it cleared the skin improved first and my eyes were the last thing to improve so I would say same as Alf. Try and eat healthily and drink loads of water which should help a bit but it does take time.