Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
HIGH BILIRUBEN
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
HIGH BILIRUBEN
by devilspres, Jul 06, 2005 12:00AM
ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO, MY HUSBAND WENT FOR A ROUTINE PHYSICAL IN WHICH THE DR. TOLD HIM HE HAD AN ELEVATED BILIRUBEN LEVEL AND THAT IT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS SO I RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT HAD TO DO WITH LIVER FUNCTION. MY HUSBAND NEVER FOLLOWED UP ON IT AND NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME HE HAS BEEN FEELING "NOT HIMSELF" AND IS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DIARREAH. WE HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE SO HE REFUSES TO GET CHECKED. MY HUSBAND IS A REFORMED ALCOHOLIC 12 YEARS. BUT DID SUFFER FROM ALCOHOISM FOR APPROXIAMETELY 10 YEARS PRIOR TO HIS SOBRIETY. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US? IS ELEVATED BILIRUBEN AND CHRONIC DIARREAH A SIGN OF A LIVER DISEASE?????
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 07, 2005 12:00AM
, Jul 07, 2005 12:00AM
There can be many reasons for an elevated bilirubin. Various liver disease can be associated with this. Further liver damage can be suggested if the other liver enzymes (i.e. the ALT or AST) are elevated.
You can consider an ultrasound to evaluate for any anatomical liver disease.
If only the bilirubin is elevated (i.e. the other liver tests are normal), you can consider something like Gilbert's syndrome. This is a benign disease and can be monitored serially. However, you want to exclude more serious causes before coming to this conclusion.
You can discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
You can consider an ultrasound to evaluate for any anatomical liver disease.
If only the bilirubin is elevated (i.e. the other liver tests are normal), you can consider something like Gilbert's syndrome. This is a benign disease and can be monitored serially. However, you want to exclude more serious causes before coming to this conclusion.
You can discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
