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.

[tommy]

I am also 34 years old, and just went thru some liver function tests. The first tests I had showed total bilirubin 2.2, my (sgot or ast) was normal but my (sgpt or alt and ggt) was twice what it should be.. Since the sgpt or alt is the main enzimes tied to the liver the doctor ordered an Adominal ultrasound. Results showed possible fatty infiltration of liver. I was kind of concerned because usally alcohol makes both the ast and alt enzimes high, but just the alt was elevated.. Might be a good ideal to have these enzimes checked since something else could be causing the elevated bilirubin.

Best of luck..

[jean]

What kind of symptoms did you have?

[Peter]

I also have elevated bilirubin - a condition called Gilbert's syndrome.  Apparently if everything else checks out normal you have nothing to worry about.  I have had this for years (I am only 38) and continue to live a very active life running, paddling, biking etc.  Good luck with it.

[Troy]

I had a couple of doctors look at my test results and they both agreed, I have Gilberts syndrome. They assured me I had nothing to worry about since this doesn't cause any problems and quiet a few people are walking around with Gilberts syndrome and don't know it.

[Colleen]

The same thing happened to me... I went for a community health
fair blood test a few months after having a baby and found that
I had an elivated bili ruben, about the same as yours.  Funny
thing is that my baby was born with a VERY high bili ruben that
required a 4-day hospital stay in an incubator under 5 sets of
lights to bring down to a safe range.  I told my OBGYN about it
and he didn't seem to be all that worried.  He did refer me to a
Gastro-doctor who diagnosed me with Gilberts Syndrome - although
he never did any tests to confirm it.  He basically said that it
was probably just normal for me and no big deal.  I have always
wondered if there is any relationship between that high bili
ruben and the gastro-problems that I have (irritable bowel, heart
burn - acid reflux, gas, etc.)  Did you ever get a response to
your question posted here?

[Judy Briggs]

I also have a high bilirubin count, unfortunately, I have been experiencing bouts of extreme fatigue.  when the fatigue comes over me, my arms and legs begin to tingle.  I wondered if this had anything to do with the high bilirubin?

[Troy]

Thanks Doc!

[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?

[Gloria]

I'm dumb.  What is Gilbert's Syndrone/Disease and is it dangerous?  My husband just got some blood work back from the doctor and that's what the doc is diagnosing.  Hubby is a pilot and I'm concerned that this could knock him out of his flying career.  I've never heard of this and need help.

Thanks in advance.

[duke]

my daughter was has gilberts'. Is there any medications that she shouldnt take?

[Beth]

I HAVE A TOTAL BILIRUBIN LEVEL OF 1.9 AND EVERY THING ELSE IS NORMAL. I HAD BLOOD TEST DONE FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY. SHOULD I HAVE MORE TEST DONE.

[Michelle Polome]

Hello,

I would like to ask something, I have just gone for full blood test and the results came back normal.  I was a bit worried as my Platelets level was slightly low 111 and my Bilirublin level was very slightly high 2.1 , is this something to be concerned about, I have been on the Dinette for 7 years could that be why my level was high. I am also not yellow or suffer from pain in my stomach or anything.  My Dr. recommend I go for a Sona of the Pelvis.  Is this necessary as my level was only very slightly raised.   I really feel that this is not necessary.


I also take Garlic tables and imagine that is why my Platelets level is low. I thought was good as I would rather have thick blood then thick blood.  I don

[Kevin De Los Santos]

Dear sir,
I am twenty two yeras old and I was diagnosed with gilberts syndrome 7 years ago. My last blood test should that my level of bilirubin was 88.  I have talked to many people who have gilberts, but they normally have 44, 46 50 bilirubin.  The reason
I am writing is because I have constant pain somewhere underneath my rib cage.  I am just wondering what this could be and if you know if there are any ways of lowering my bilirubin level.  Thanx.

[clay]

I am 27 years old and have just recently went in for a basic physical. I just quit smoking and I am not an excessive drinker. The tests that my Dr ran show high levels of AST, Alkaline Phosphatase, and Bilirubin. These tests were also ran last year and were also considered high. At that time, my Dr. had no explanation as to why they were high but that my liver just may function normally that way. After having these tests ran again in th elast week, these levels seem to be progressing but again she states there is not an explanation for it. She has ran all of the typical checks for Hepatitis, Iron storage disease, etc.. and they all come back negative. The only sympton I have been having is Fatigue. She is having an ultrasound on me in a couple of weeks. I wanted to get another opinion on what may be happening. Does anyone have any other ideas??

[Chris, Thursday April 27, 2000]

I am a 27 year old male, and have just recently been diagnosed with Gilbert's Syndrome.  Next week I will be returning to my doctor for more testing and possibly a liver biopsy.  I seldom drink alchohol or smoke cigarretes however, I chew tobacco.  Should I be abstaining from this sort of thing or does it matter?  Also should I be avoiding certain types of foods.

[Karen]

TO Judy and Kevin...  Judy, I am not a Dr. but have vast experience w/my own liver problems. Please check out C.R.E.S.T. syndrome and see if you have any other symptoms, there are websites on this. What many people don't realize is that there aren't any diffinitive blood tests that can easily and simply tell if you have a serious liver problem. The liver is an extremely complex organ and not fully understood yet. Anyone reading this please refer to my advise posted under "My ten year old son..." my comment is dated 4/26/00. It is lengthy and full of tips helpful to anyone with serious problems who are on a journey for a correct diagnosis.                                                                                                    Kevin, is the pain under your ribs on your right side??? That is where your liver is. Sounds to me like you need an imaging test of this area. My problem was discovered during a CAT-SCAN for something else. Since I have found this site it breaks my heart to see how many people are suffering endlessly without knowing what to do. YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND BECOME YOUR OWN TOUGH ADVOCATE or you will continue to wander aimlessly. No one else is going to do it for you. Best of luck to you all -                                                 Sincerely, Karen

[Posted by: Pierre Petit on Friday 05/05/]

My son was delivered by vacuum extraction on 02/17/2000 with HR=0. He was orally intubated. He was discharged on 02/22/2000 with a peak bilirubin of 13.6/0.5. On discharge day the overall status was "critical and statable".
       TBili 13.6  DBili 0.5
The next day after discharge, my son was taken to the for follow up on bilirubin. The clinic sent us (my wife and I) to Emergency Room at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami because of the high level of bilirubin. The doctors there said there was nothing wrong with the baby.
On Friday 03/31/2000, he was diagnosed with anemia. Some iron medication was prescribed for that. On April 2/2000, he was having a hard time breathing, he was rushed to ER then to Miami children Hospital the same daywhere he administered "phenobarbital, fentonyl, and ativan" because he was agitated. Since then hewas asleep or in coma untill he was pronounced dead on 05/03/2000.
I have been told that he suffer severe brain damage from front to back of the head.
Please help me solve this puzzle...

[Julie Bowers]

I am a healthy 22-year old and I just got back a blood test with elevated levels of bilirubin at about 2.1.  What does this mean? Is this very serious?  Could I have something wrong with me--what should I do?

[ol' Yeller]

I too have Gilberts Syndrome.  The major problem that I'd like to know how to fix, yellowing of the eyes.  I work in the medical field and often am questioned as having hepatitis.  I've ruled this out a number of times.  

ARE THERE ANY SUGGESTIONS, MEDICATIONS, TECHNIQUES, ETC . . . THAT CAN AT LEAST ELIMINATE THE JAUNDICE OF THE EYES?????

***@****

[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 !

[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?

[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.