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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing the liver, located above the stomach
The liver

Gilbert's (zheel-BAYRZ) syndrome is a common, mild liver disorder in which the liver doesn't properly process a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.

Gilbert's syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation. You're born with Gilbert's syndrome, though it often goes undiscovered for many years.

Gilbert's syndrome is often discovered by accident, such as when you have a blood test that shows elevated bilirubin levels. Gilbert's syndrome typically doesn't require treatment and doesn't cause serious complications.

Gilbert's syndrome is also known as constitutional hepatic dysfunction, benign unconjugated bilirubinemia and familial nonhemolytic jaundice.

References
  1. Berk PD, et al. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189880460-4/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 18, 2010.
  2. Lidofsky SD. Jaundice. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189880460-5/0/1389/0.html. Accessed March 18, 2010.
  3. Ferri FF. Gilbert's disease. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189880460-5/0/2088/0.html. Accessed March 18, 2010.
  4. Chowdhury NR, et al. Gilbert's syndrome and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to bilirubin overproduction. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 18, 2010.
DS00743 April 17, 2010

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