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Digestive problems

Improving Liver Health

Liver Disease:  A Common Disorder usually found in adult males

Most people with Gilbert’s syndrome experience occasional and short-lived episodes of yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. 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.

Some people also report other problems during episodes of jaundice, including:

But these problems are not necessarily thought to be directly related to increased bilirubin levels, and could indicate a condition other than Gilbert’s syndrome.

When to see a GP:  See your GP if you experience an episode of jaundice for the first time.

The jaundice of Gilbert’s syndrome is usually mild, but jaundice can be associated with more serious liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C. It’s important to seek immediate medical advice from a GP if you have jaundice.

If you have been diagnosed with Gilbert’s syndrome, you do not usually need to seek medical advice during an episode of jaundice, unless you have additional or unusual symptoms.

What causes Gilbert’s syndrome?: Gilbert’s syndrome is a genetic disorder 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 white 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.

 

Gilbert’s syndrome is common, but it’s difficult to know exactly how many people are affected because it does not always cause obvious symptoms. In the UK, it’s thought at least 1 in 20 people (probably more) are affected by Gilbert’s syndrome.

Gilbert’s syndrome affects more men than women. It’s usually diagnosed in a person’s late teens or early 20s. Gilbert’s syndrome can be diagnosed using a blood test to measure the levels of bilirubin in your blood and a liver function test.

When the liver is damaged, it releases enzymes into the blood. At the same time, levels of proteins that the liver produces to keep the body healthy begin to drop.

By measuring the levels of these enzymes and proteins, it’s possible to build up a reasonably accurate picture of how well the liver is functioning.

If the test results show you have high levels of bilirubin in your blood, but your liver is otherwise working normally, a confident diagnosis of Gilbert’s syndrome can usually be made. In certain cases, a genetic test may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis of Gilbert’s syndrome.

Living with Gilbert’s syndrome: Gilbert’s syndrome is a lifelong disorder. 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.

Most people with Gilbert’s syndrome experience occasional and short-lived episodes of yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood.

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.

Some people also report other problems during episodes of jaundice, including:

tummy (abdominal) pain

feeling very tired (fatigue)

loss of appetite

feeling sick

dizziness

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a common digestive disorder that causes stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation

problems concentrating and thinking clearly (brain fog)

a general sense of feeling unwell

But these problems are not necessarily thought to be directly related to increased bilirubin levels, and could indicate a condition other than Gilbert’s syndrome.

Studies of people with Gilbert’s syndrome also reveal they are particularly prone to vague symptoms such as extreme tiredness, headaches, dizziness and nausea, stomach and abdominal discomfort. They often experience anxiety symptoms and insomnia.

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 medications, such as medicines for high cholesterol. 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.

Gilbert syndrome is associated with fluctuating levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Bilirubin levels may increase with stress, strain, dehydration, fasting, infection or exposure to cold. In many individuals, jaundice is only evident when one of these triggers raises the bilirubin levels. Symptoms, whether connected or not to GS, have been reported in a subset of those affected: feeling tired all the time (fatigue), difficulty maintaining concentration, unusual patterns of anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of weight, itching (with no rash), and others

 

IBS: There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they’re worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.

IBS can also cause:

  • farting (flatulence)
  • passing mucus from your bottom
  • tiredness and a lack of energy
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • backache
  • problems peeing – like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
  • not always being able to control when you poo (incontinence)

General tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms

Do

  • cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can
  • keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS
  • try to find ways to relax
  • get plenty of exercise
  • try probioticsfor a month to see if they help

Don’t

  • do not delay or skip meals
  • do not eat too quickly
  • do not eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods
  • do not eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)
  • do not drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
  • do not drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks