Experiences with
Gilbert's syndromeSymptoms of Gilbert's syndrome
Most people with Gilbert's syndrome have occasional and short-lived episodes of yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). It's caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood.
Jaundice may be less obvious if you have brown or black skin, but you may notice the white part of your eyes looks yellow.
As Gilbert's syndrome usually only causes a slight increase in bilirubin levels, the yellowing of jaundice is often mild. The eyes are usually affected most.
Around 1 in 3 people with Gilbert's syndrome do not experience any symptoms at all.
You may not realise you have Gilbert's syndrome until tests for an unrelated problem are carried out.
Causes of Gilbert's syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome is a genetic condition that runs in families.
People with the syndrome have a faulty gene, which causes the liver to have problems removing bilirubin from the blood.
Normally, when red blood cells reach the end of their life (after about 120 days), haemoglobin, the red pigment that carries oxygen in the blood, breaks down into bilirubin.
The liver converts bilirubin into a water-soluble form, which passes into bile (a fluid produced by the liver to help with digestion) and is eventually removed from the body in pee or poo.
In Gilbert's syndrome, the faulty gene means bilirubin is not passed into bile at the normal rate. Instead, it builds up in the bloodstream, giving the skin and whites of the eyes a yellowish tinge.
Other than inheriting the faulty gene, there are no known risk factors for developing Gilbert's syndrome. It's not related to lifestyle habits, environmental factors or serious underlying liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C.
Living with Gilbert's syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome is a lifelong condition. But it does not require treatment because it does not pose a threat to health and does not cause complications or an increased risk of liver disease.
Episodes of jaundice and any associated symptoms are usually short-lived and eventually pass.
Changing your diet or the amount of exercise you do will not affect whether you have the condition.
But it's still important to make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
You may find it useful to avoid the things you know trigger episodes of jaundice, such as dehydration and stress.
If you have Gilbert's syndrome, the problem with your liver may also mean you're at risk of developing jaundice or other side effects after taking certain medicines, such as medicines for high cholesterol like statins.
You should talk to a GP before taking any new medicine and make sure you mention that you have Gilbert's syndrome to any doctors treating you for the first time.
SymptomsSelf-careCausesThe main symptom of Gilbert's syndrome is short episodes of jaundice, where the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.
There's no treatment for Gilbert's syndrome. But avoiding things that trigger your symptoms can help.
Gilbert's syndrome is caused by a faulty gene that runs in families. It's not related to lifestyle or serious liver problems like cirrhosis.
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