Caption: Gilbert's Syndrome
By Jeanette Calara, PT, DPT, MBA, OCS, COMT, GCFP, COS-C
Gilbert’s syndrome is hyperbilirubinemia, a disorder wherein the bilirubin in the blood are higher than normal because the liver does not process the substance properly. It is a common familial hyperbilirubinemia that may reduce the risk of various age-related diseases because of the antioxidant properties of bilirubin. It is a benign hereditary condition of increased unconjugated bilirubin in serum.
Gilbert’s syndrome is diagnosed in about less than 10 percent of the people in the U.S. It affects people of all races, and more men than women. Gilbert’s syndrome, most of the time remains asymptomatic. Patients get diagnosed with Gilbert’s syndrome when their doctor performs a blood test during a routine check up or for another illness. The most common symptom of Gilbert’s syndrome is jaundice. Other symptoms are fatigue, dizziness and abdominal discomfort.
People with Gilbert’s syndrome may experience heightened symptoms when experiencing stress, infection or illness, dehydration, fasting or menstruation.