What does Gilbert syndrome do?

Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited (genetic) liver disorder that affects the body’s ability to process bilirubin. Bilirubin is yellow liquid waste that occurs naturally as the body breaks down old red blood cells. People with Gilbert’s syndrome don’t produce enough liver enzymes to keep bilirubin at a normal level.

What causes Crigler-Najjar syndrome?

Crigler-Najjar syndrome is caused by absent or defective uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase-1A1 (UGT1A1), the enzyme responsible for the conjugation of bilirubin.

How is Gilbert syndrome detected?

Gilbert’s syndrome can be diagnosed using a blood test to measure the levels of bilirubin in your blood and a liver function test. When the liver is damaged, it releases enzymes into the blood. At the same time, levels of proteins that the liver produces to keep the body healthy begin to drop.

What do you need to know about Gilbert syndrome?

Summary Summary. Gilbert syndrome is a mild liver disorder that impairs the body’s ability to process bilirubin, a substance made when old red blood cells are broken down.

How is bilirubin produced in Gilbert’s syndrome?

Overview. Gilbert’s (zheel-BAYRS) syndrome is a common, harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn’t properly process bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.

Which is more severe CN-1 or Gilbert syndrome?

In both types, jaundice is persistent and more severe than in Gilbert syndrome, with CN-1 causing potentially life-threatening symptoms. [1] [4] [5] Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between Gilbert syndrome and CN-2 because of considerable overlap in measured bilirubin levels.

What are the mutations in the Gilbert gene?

[3] Gilbert syndrome is caused by mutations in the UGT1A1 gene and inheritance is autosomal recessive. [1] [2] Mutations in this gene cause reduced levels of a liver enzyme needed to eliminate bilirubin from the body, causing bilirubin to accumulate.