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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Lack of Bilirubin
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.

Lack of Bilirubin

by djf3965, May 31, 2005 12:00AM
Dr. Kevin,

I have met a man who has turned into someone very special in my life, who is currently going through a lawsuit due to being given Torodal, which he is allergic to.

Torodal shut his kidneys and liver down, and from what I now understand from him, his liver doesn’t make enough bilirubin.  Everything I have found on the subject pertains to the human body making too much bilirubin.

I have been told by him, that he has only about 5 years left in his life because his liver is not functioning correctly.  

Does this sound correct or possible to you?  What are the symptoms?  What is the disease name called?  What things are harmful to him?  What may prolong his life?

I plan on being with him no matter what the consequences are, but I would just like to know more, for my own mental health,  about what will happen and can anything be done.

Thank you for your help.

by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
Tough to say without personally going through the records.  The prognosis would depend on what exactly happened to the liver.  If his doctors are saying that he has 5 years left and the liver is not functioning correctly, it sounds like liver cirrhosis may be present.  This is normally diagnosed with a liver biopsy - which likely would have been done already.  

If it is cirrhosis, then liver transplanation is the best treatment for this.  Whether this is feasible can be discussed with his personal physician or hepatologist.  There are other treatments that may treat the symptoms of liver failure, but transplantation is the definitive cure.

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
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