MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Gilbert's disease

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Gilbert's disease

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Alternative Names Return to top

Icterus intermittens juvenilis; Low-grade chronic hyperbilirubinemia; Familial non-hemolytic-non-obstructive jaundice; Constitutional liver dysfunction; Unconjugated benign bilirubinemia

Definition Return to top

Gilbert's disease is a common disorder passed down through families that affects the way bilirubin is processed by the liver and causes jaundice.

Causes Return to top

Gilbert's disease affects up to 10% of some Caucasian populations. The condition is usually benign.

Symptoms Return to top

Mild jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes)
Fatigue

Note: Jaundice typically appears during times of exertion, stress, not eating, and infection.

Exams and Tests Return to top

An indirect bilirubin blood test shows changes consistent with Gilbert's disease.

Treatment Return to top

Usually no treatment is necessary. Treatment should focus on the underlying condition that caused the jaundice.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Jaundice may come and go throughout the patient's life, but usually causes no health problems.

Possible Complications Return to top

There are usually no complications.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have jaundice or persistent abdominal pain.

Prevention Return to top

There is no proven prevention.

Update Date: 5/3/2007

Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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