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Gilbert's syndrome

Morbus Gilbert (hyperbilirubinaemia benigna) · Gilbertův syndrom

What it is

A harmless inherited slowness of the liver enzyme that clears bilirubin, so the eyes turn slightly yellow when fasting, ill or stressed; up to 1 person in 12.

Symptoms & signs

  • Mild yellowing of the eyes
  • comes with fasting, illness, stress or little sleep
  • tiredness (not clearly linked)
  • often found by chance on a blood test

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon Yellow eyes with dark urine or pale stools
  • see a doctor soon Yellowing with belly pain, itch or fever
  • see a doctor soon Yellowing that does not fade within a few days
  • see a doctor soon Yellowing with paleness and tiredness

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Blood tests: raised unconjugated bilirubin, normal liver tests
  • reassurance — no treatment
  • care with some drugs (irinotecan, atazanavir)

Natural & lifestyle

  • Regular meals, no long fasts
  • sleep and fluids

Emerging & experimental

  • Studies of its possible protection against heart disease

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Mildly raised bilirubin as an antioxidant — observational studies link Gilbert's with less heart disease early / small studies
  • Milk thistle and liver cleanses — anecdotal; there is nothing to treat anecdotal / traditional
  • Dandelion tea — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes