elevated bilirubin

[harvestmoon]

I am a 36 year old women and recently went to my doctor to have my cholesterol checked and discovered that my cholesterol was normal but my bilirubin was high. I had the same test 6 months earlier and the bilirubin was normal. I had an ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder which was completely negative however the pancreas could not be viewed due to gas in the intestines. My bilirubin was checked again (about a week after the high result) and it is still elevated. Prior to the first elevated bilirubin, I had been drinking  regularly and I have been drinking for years, sometimes excessively, sometimes not. After the first elevated bilirubin I quit drinking but it was only a week between elevated tests.
Anyways, the other liver enzymes were not elevated but why is the bilirubin still high?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A normal ultrasound would make liver and gallbladder disease less likely.  An isolated bilirubin in the face of normal tests can be indicative of Gilbert's syndrome.  This is an inherited disorder that occurs in 10% of the population - it is a disease that affects the way bilirubin is processed.  

Usually, no treatment is necessary - however before settling on this disorder, I would ensure with your physician that there is no evidence of any other liver/gallbladder disorder.

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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com