I have elevated bilirubin; and I was wondering if this is anything to worry about or watch closely?

[ash1183]

I am a healthy 24 year old female. At least 10 years back I was told by a doctor that I have "gilbars syndrome" and that I shouldn't be too concerned. I had gone to the doctor because the bottom of my eye is always yellow. Ranging from dark to light yellow. I drink tons of water and it leasens the appearrance of yellow. Three years ago I gave birth to my first child and breast fed her. I had to quit breast fedding after a week because I was making her so jaundice.
I have a reoccuring pain in my right lower side. It hurts the most when I am sitting or have internal pressure in that area. It is kind of a "bubbled up" feeling. I feels the best to apply pressure by pushing on the area. I am very regular with bowel movements, so I really doubt that is the cause. The pain is never in my back, and I was told if it was my liver or kidney it would hurt all around into my back. This pain in worsening and becoming more constant. Should I be worried that this is a liver problem, gallbladder problem, or ovarian problem? I keep putting off going to the doctor because the pain will get severe but then subside. Also, I have already gotten my appendix removed 6 years ago. So, that's definetly out of the picture.

[mikesimon]

Gilbert's Disease is usually benign. If your lab results show your "Total Bilirubin" or "T Bilirubin" is elevated you could ask your doctor to order a "Fractionalized Bilirubin". That way you will get results for your "conjugated or direct bilirubin" and your "unconjugated or indirect bilirubin. In Gilbert's Disease the unconjugated bilirubin will be elevated and the conjugated bilirubin will be normal. As a general proposition an elevated direct bilirubin suggests some problem with the liver whereas an elevated indirect bilirubin does not and is associated with either Gilbert's Disease, hemolysis or some other enzyme related disorder. If your bilirubin elevation was liver related you would probably also see an elevation in ALT, AST and perhaps GGT and Alkaline Phosphatase - ALT being the most liver specific.
I think I would want more blood work if I were you to definitively determine whether you do have Gilbert's Disease. And in addition to a Fractionalized Bilirubin I would want a liver panel - ALT, AST, GGT and Alkaline Phosphatase and a Hepatitis Panel for Hep A, B and C - just to rule out Viral Hepatitis.
Even if you do have Gilbert's that doesn't explain your pain and that should be looked into. Gallstones do cause pain and can cause an elevated "direct bilirubin". An ultrasound scan of your abdomen would probably reveal gallstones if that is the problem.
You do need more information and I hope that you get it soon.
Mike