What does this elevated bilirubin mean????

[Troy]

I am a healthy 34 year old white male, no smoking ever in my life but did have some alcohol usage in younger years. In 1995, I had a work physical that came back with an elevated bilirubin(total) of 2.2.....range .2-1.2. Also in this blood test my total protein was 8.3.....range of 6.4-8.2 and my albumin was 5.2......range of 3.8-5.0. I really never thought to much about it since I am not a medical person so I just let it go and never went back for follow up. Now, I had another work physical done last week and once again, elevated bilirubin. This time it was 3.05 with the same range as above. On this test....everything else was normal this time SGOT was 17 and alk phos was 68. They did not do an AST or GGT this time but did the first time in 1995 and those were both well in the normal range. I feel fine, no problems that I am aware of . But now, I am married to a Registered nurse and she is freaking out over this.....she thinks I have a liver ailment!!!!! Could someone please help me out on this??????? I will be glad to go to the doctor for more testing if needed but I dont want to waste a bunch of money if nothing is majorly wrong. Thanks for your time........

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Troy, It is difficult to know the cause of your elevated bilirubin without doing additional tests.  However, if all the other liver tests are normal, it is possible that you have a condition called gilbert's disease.  In this condition, which occurs in 5% of the population, there is an isolated increase in bilirubin.  The disease does not progress and is not associated with other liver conditions.

In addition to Gilbert's disease, it is also necessary to consider hemolysis- premature breakdown of the red cells.  This condition can have many different causes.  

If your wife is concerned, a doctors visit with a few blood tests should provide indications whether there is a cause for anxiety.

[Teresa]

My 63 year old dad had a blood work done and his liver function test was normal except for his bilirubin which was 2.7. His cholesterol is great. He also feel fine. What could be the cause?

[porokoo1]

A related discussion, help was started.

[Odette Kenney]

I've had Gilbert's Syndrone since I was 14 (I'm now 25) and I just want to say that as I've got older,it has affected my health
less. When I was first diagnosed with it, I was quite ill with flu like symptoms, swollen glands (all the time) and pain where my spleen is but I have since been much better. It is true that many peole have this disease without even knowing it as it is nothing serious.All I can recommend is for those who have it, is to simply find out what foods suit you and what food/drink affects you and just try to keep healthy by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Simply just forget you have this illness and carry on with your life as normal because if not, you may tend to blame everything on Gilbert's Syndrone and it can become more of a psychological illness.

Having found this page it is actually comforting to know that there are other people who have got what I have...it's that bad you know:)
One more thing, it is to my understanding that Gibert's Syndrone is also heredrity as one of my brothers also has it.
Keep Smiling!
If anyone wishes to ask me anything please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: ***@****

[Odette Kenney]

I've had Gilbert's Syndrone since I was 14 (I'm now 25) and I just want to say that as I've got older,it has affected my health
less. When I was first diagnosed with it, I was quite ill with flu like symptoms, swollen glands (all the time) and pain where my spleen is but I have since been much better. It is true that many peole have this disease without even knowing it as it is nothing serious.All I can recommend is for those who have it, is to simply find out what foods suit you and what food/drink affects you and just try to keep healthy by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Simply just forget you have this illness and carry on with your life as normal because if not, you may tend to blame everything on Gilbert's Syndrone and it can become more of a psychological illness.

Having found this page it is actually comforting to know that there are other people who have got what I have...it's that bad you know:)
One more thing, it is to my understanding that Gibert's Syndrone is also heredrity as one of my brothers also has it.
Keep Smiling!
If anyone wishes to ask me anything please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: ***@****

[Bill, Friday,June 23 2000]

My son who is 22 and is a professional cyclist in Italy found that when his training intensity increases and when he is racing in tours which can be up to 15 days of 150-220 kilometers a day in mountainous terrain his iron level drops dramatically. he becomes very tired and lethargic, and his recovery after each stage of racing deteriorates. His doctor after testing diagnosed Gilberts Syndrome.He was told that under normal cicumstances he would not have a problem, but because of the stress his body is under he needs to have a diet which has good source of Iron and to use iron supplements.There is not much research on the effects of Gilberts Syndrome on Elite athletes, so if anyone has any reference sources please advise as the condition does have an effect on his performance.

[Julie Green]

I am just a little concerned re my bilirubin levels and would really appreciate some advise whether this should be of concern and what I can do to improve the situation.  The results came from a full blood test which included liver function.  I had these tests due to feeling generally unwell & occasionally feeling completely wiped out (usually on waking)

[Julie Green]

I am just a little concerned re my bilirubin levels and would really appreciate some advise whether this should be of concern and what I can do to improve the situation.  The results came from a full blood test which included liver function.  I had these tests due to feeling generally unwell & occasionally feeling completely wiped out (usually on waking)

[Fulvio De Bonis]

Sorry for my english!
I'm italian, 26 years old, student, i like swimming.
Never had problems with bilirubin but this year I tried to enter the italian army but they say that I'm not Ok for the high level of total bilirubin (3.65). I'll do every test to know the causes of this but now is necessary to get down this value to 1.5 or less. How can I do in few days?
Thank you!

[Shaun]

I am a 26 year old male who has always been very active and have noticed in the past 2 years that my energy levels are down and have to have a sleep during the day.  My eyes at times look very tired, blood shot and yellow.  This seems to been getting worse.  I have just had some blood test which show a high level of bilirubin.  The Doctor says I have Gilberts sydnome.  He has not given me much information on it.  I would like to ask people what I can do to help this sydrome, and things to eat, do or take to get my energy levels up again and for my eyes not to look so tired.  thanks

[chris]

what do extreme levels of amylase1140,lipase2260,ldh251,alkphos381 in a child mean?she is an 8 year old a vacterl syndrome child.I understand lipase levels are elevated in pancreatitis,but not as much as amylase.
chris

[chris]

what do extreme levels of amylase1140,lipase2260,ldh251,alkphos381 in a child mean?she is an 8 year old a vacterl syndrome child.I understand lipase levels are elevated in pancreatitis,but not as much as amylase.
chris

[Robert Condon]

I developed gilbert's syndrome when I was sixteen years olds and had to lose weight to qualitfy for a wrestling weight class. I am now 42 years old and in good health. I am constantly on the look out for simple natural treatments to ease the yellowing of my eyes. I have found that two teaspoons of raw unpastuerized apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with meals does wonders. It tastes like apple seltzer and once you get used to it plain water tastes too bland. Also, beets or beet juice will clear up the yellow eyes. I don't think gilbert's syndrome is entirely benign as I have had irritable bowel syndrome and other stomach stuff.

[Deven]

I also have Gilberts Syndrome.  I just had some test done on my iron counts to rule out another condition.  I have two questions.  First, my GYN wants approval from my doctor so she can prescribe birth control for my pain during menustration.  Will I have any kind of problems?  
and the second question:  SHould I never give blood or plasma?  I am not allowed to give blood, but the plasma center can't tell me if I am not allowed to give plasma.  thanks.

[Joan 26y]

I have had symptoms of abdominal pain after surgery.  With a family histroy of mental instabilty.  Aslo a loss of sensation in the feet.

[diana cimei]

Dear Doc.

[diana cimei]

Dear Doc.

[diana cimei]

Dear Doc.

[sabrina]

Well, I'm really glad I found this, I'm going to ask my doctor about this Gilbert's Disease.  My bilirubin went from 2.2 to 3.5 in three weeks.  And I'm only 14 years old!  I don't know anything about bilirubin, I'm just searching abpout it right now.  Thank you and if anyone could give me some suggestions aside from what is posted, could you please e-mail me at ***@****?  Many thanks.

[sabrina]

Well, I'm really glad I found this, I'm going to ask my doctor about this Gilbert's Disease.  My bilirubin went from 2.2 to 3.5 in three weeks.  And I'm only 14 years old!  I don't know anything about bilirubin, I'm just searching abpout it right now.  Thank you and if anyone could give me some suggestions aside from what is posted, could you please e-mail me at ***@****?  Many thanks.

[diana cimei]

Dear Doc, Iwas told I had high levels of all my liver test.Ihad a scan done and they thooght there was a tumor. The doctor found what she called a blood blister on my liver. And that is whatis causing the high levels. This year I had another test and they were even higher.The drs. don't seem concerned.All they say is it will bleed like hell if it breaks. I do not drink and never have except perhaps once a year.

[diana cimei]

Dear Doc.Ihave high enzime counts. Never drink more than 2 ozs. of alcohol a year.Drs. don't seem to concerned. The tumor is what theycall ablood bister of some type. They say it will bleed like hell if it breaks will just keep aneye on it. The last time I had it checked the nos. were even higher. Please respond.

[bill]

The Red Cross rejected my blood about 10 years ago because it tested positive for Hep C antigen.  Since then, Hep C has not been detected in my blood in numerous tests.   I asked about it again in 1999.  A Hepatic Function Panel shows elevated AST and ALT. (AST = 44 for 1999, 36 for 2000; ALT = 132 for 1999, 76 for 2000)  Still negative for Hep C.  What does this look like?  Would you recommend the liver biopsy they want to do?

[Marco Lunga]

I am the father of a boy that has the Gilbert syndrome.
Is there any Italian URL or link, that comment this syndrome,
because is very difficult for me to read in English.
Thanks !