eMedicine Specialties > Gastroenterology > Liver
Gilbert Syndrome: Differential Diagnoses & Workup
Updated: Nov 19, 2009
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
Differential Diagnoses
Other Problems to Be Considered
Hemolysis
Hematoma
Acute and chronic liver disease
Primary hyperbilirubinemia from ineffective erythropoiesis
Glucuronyl transferase deficiency
Infections
Cardiac disease (eg, congestive heart failure, prosthetic heart valves)
Rhabdomyolysis
High-altitude living
Medications (eg, probenecid, rifamycin, other antibiotics)
Thyrotoxicosis
Workup
Laboratory Studies
- CBC count (including reticulocyte count and blood smear): This is a useful screening test to exclude hemolysis. Rarely, red blood cell abnormalities resembling variegate porphyria have been described in persons with Gilbert syndrome, possibly due to the increased hepatocellular bilirubin concentration.
- Lactate dehydrogenase: Levels are elevated in persons with hemolysis but are normal in those with Gilbert syndrome.
- Liver function tests: With the exception of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, standard liver function test results are normal. However, a familial increase in serum alkaline phosphatase levels has been reported in persons with Gilbert syndrome.
Imaging Studies
- Imaging studies are not required to confirm a diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome.
Other Tests
- Additional tests are rarely required because a diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome can be made in the presence of (1) unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia noted on several occasions; (2) normal results from CBC count, reticulocyte count, and blood smear; (3) normal liver function test results; and (4) an absence of other disease processes.
- The following investigations are occasionally performed to confirm a diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome. Those of historical interest, as well as the newer molecular genetic techniques, are included. They are described to introduce the clinician to the broad diagnostic armamentarium available for diagnosing Gilbert syndrome. Recourse to these specialized tests should be rare and is usually difficult to justify in clinical practice because the diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome is usually straightforward.
- Fasting: This usually results in a 2- to 3-fold rise in the plasma unconjugated bilirubin level within 48 hours of a fast that returns to normal levels within 24 hours of resuming a normal diet. Although unconjugated bilirubin levels also rise with fasting in patients with hemolysis or liver disease, the magnitude of the rise is less than that observed with Gilbert syndrome. A similar rise in plasma bilirubin is also observed with normocaloric diets deficient in lipids and reverses promptly with lipid replacement. The precise mechanism of fasting and dietary-induced hyperbilirubinemia remains unclear. The fasting test remains of historic interest and has limited usefulness in the diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome.
- Nicotinic acid: Intravenous administration of 50 mg of nicotinic acid results in a 2- to 3-fold rise in plasma unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia within 3 hours. The mechanisms are multifactorial and probably related to (1) elevated osmotic fragility of red blood cells, (2) increase in splenic production of bilirubin, (3) transient inhibition of hepatic bilirubin-UGT activity, and (4) increased splenic heme oxygenase activity. Although a similar but less impressive increase is observed in healthy individuals and those with hemolysis or liver disease, the nicotinic test, similar to fasting, does not clearly distinguish patients with Gilbert syndrome from those who are healthy or who have other disease processes.
- Phenobarbital: Phenobarbital and other enzyme inducers of the bilirubin-UGT system will normalize plasma bilirubin in patients with Gilbert syndrome. This is predominantly due to accelerated bilirubin clearance from enzyme induction but is also due to reduced bilirubin turnover. Steroids can also reduce plasma bilirubin levels in Gilbert syndrome by increasing hepatic uptake and storage of bilirubin.
- Radioactive-labeled chromium: This is used to measure red blood cell survival. As many as 60% of patients with Gilbert syndrome have a mild and fully compensated state of hemolysis together with increased hepatic heme production. As a result, hyperbilirubinemia may be due to reduced bilirubin clearance and increased production, the latter from increased erythroid or hepatic heme turnover.
- Thin-layer chromatography: This test is diagnostic for Gilbert syndrome when it shows a significantly higher proportion of unconjugated bilirubin compared with individuals with chronic hemolysis or liver disease or those who are healthy. If confirmation of the diagnosis is truly essential, chromatographic determination is of potential use. This shows an increased ratio of bilirubin monoglucuronide to diglucuronide, reflecting reduced bilirubin-UGT activity.
- Drug clearance: Approximately 30% of patients have impaired clearance of bromosulfophthalein, indocyanine green, and free fatty acid, suggesting an abnormality in hepatic uptake, transport, or both. The metabolic clearance of tolbutamide is also reduced in persons with Gilbert syndrome, but, because it does not undergo glucuronidation, hepatic uptake appears to be defective. Plasma clearance of most drugs that undergo glucuronidation (eg, benzodiazepines) is unaffected. However, with regard to acetaminophen, patients with Gilbert syndrome are a heterogeneous group, with some demonstrating normal metabolism and others exhibiting marked reduction in glucuronidation and an increase in oxidation. These changes could mean that people in this subgroup could be more susceptible to liver injury after an acetaminophen overdose, although no such adverse events have been reported.
- Polymerase chain reaction: Polymerase chain reaction is a novel and rapid method of identifying genetic polymorphisms in the TATA box of the UGT1*1 gene using fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
Procedures
- Liver biopsies are not performed routinely and are rarely necessary.
Histologic Findings
The liver is normal histologically, except for occasional accumulation of a lipofuscinlike pigment around the terminal hepatic venules.
More on Gilbert Syndrome |
| Overview: Gilbert Syndrome |
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Gilbert Syndrome |
| Treatment & Medication: Gilbert Syndrome |
| Follow-up: Gilbert Syndrome |
| References |
| Further Reading |
| « Previous Page | Next Page » |
References
Lee P, Jones G, Seibel MJ. Dual polymorphisms in UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 1A1 and 1A6: a novel mechanism for hyperserotoninaemia in Gilbert's syndrome mimicking carcinoid syndrome?. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Apr 2007;19(4):337-40. [Medline].
Ferraris A, D'Amato G, Nobili V, Torres B, Marcellini M, Dallapiccola B. Combined test for UGT1A1 -3279T-->G and A(TA)nTAA polymorphisms best predicts Gilbert's syndrome in Italian pediatric patients. Genet Test. Summer 2006;10(2):121-5. [Medline].
Hsieh TY, Shiu TY, Huang SM, Lin HH, Lee TC, Chen PJ, et al. Molecular pathogenesis of Gilbert's syndrome: decreased TATA-binding protein binding affinity of UGT1A1 gene promoter. Pharmacogenet Genomics. Apr 2007;17(4):229-36. [Medline].
Ostanek B, Furlan D, Mavec T, Lukac-Bajalo J. UGT1A1(TA)n promoter polymorphism--a new case of a (TA)8 allele in Caucasians. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Mar-Apr 2007;38(2):78-82. [Medline].
Petit FM, Hebert M, Gajdos V, Mollet-Boudjemline A, Labrune P. Comments on seven novel mutations of the UGT1A1 gene in patients with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia by D'Apolito et al. Haematologica. Jul 2007;92(7):e80. [Medline].
Rigato I, Cravatari M, Avellini C, Ponte E, Croce SL, Tiribelli C. Drug-induced acute cholestatic liver damage in a patient with mutation of UGT1A1. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. Jul 2007;4(7):403-8. [Medline].
Teng HC, Huang MJ, Tang KS, Yang SS, Tseng CS, Huang CS. Combined UGT1A1 and UGT1A7 variant alleles are associated with increased risk of Gilbert's syndrome in Taiwanese adults. Clin Genet. Oct 2007;72(4):321-8. [Medline].
Ehmer U, Lankisch TO, Erichsen TJ, Kalthoff S, Freiberg N, Wehmeier M, et al. Rapid allelic discrimination by TaqMan PCR for the detection of the Gilbert's syndrome marker UGT1A1*28. J Mol Diagn. Nov 2008;10(6):549-52. [Medline].
Seo YS, Keum B, Park S, Kim du R, Kwon YD, Kim YS, et al. Gilbert's syndrome phenotypically expressed as Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II. Scand J Gastroenterol. Apr 2007;42(4):540-1. [Medline].
Udomuksorn W, Elliot DJ, Lewis BC, Mackenzie PI, Yoovathaworn K, Miners JO. Influence of mutations associated with Gilbert and Crigler-Najjar type II syndromes on the glucuronidation kinetics of bilirubin and other UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A substrates. Pharmacogenet Genomics. Dec 2007;17(12):1017-29. [Medline].
Origa R, Galanello R, Perseu L, et al. Cholelithiasis in thalassemia major. Eur J Haematol. Jan 2009;82(1):22-5. [Medline].
Tsezou A, Tzetis M, Giannatou E, et al. Gilbert syndrome as a predisposing factor for cholelithiasis risk in the Greek adult population. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. Feb 2009;13(1):143-6. [Medline].
Papez MJ, Civalier CJ, Thorne LB, et al. UGT1A1 promoter genotype is not strongly associated with severity of coronary artery disease. Diagn Mol Pathol. Oct 26 2009;[Medline].
Tapan S, Dogru T, Tasci I, et al. Soluble CD40 ligand and soluble P-selectin levels in Gilbert's syndrome: a link to protection against atherosclerosis?. Clin Biochem. Jun 2009;42(9):791-5. [Medline].
McCarty MF, Barroso-Aranda J, Contreras F. NAPDH oxidase mediates glucolipotoxicity-induced beta cell dysfunction - Clinical implications. Med Hypotheses. Jul 1 2009;[Medline].
Strassburg CP. Pharmacogenetics of Gilbert's syndrome. Pharmacogenomics. Jun 2008;9(6):703-15. [Medline].
Lankisch TO, Behrens G, Ehmer U, et al. Gilbert's syndrome and hyperbilirubinemia in protease inhibitor therapy--an extended haplotype of genetic variants increases risk in indinavir treatment. J Hepatol. May 2009;50(5):1010-8. [Medline].
Anderson KE, Simionatto CS, Drummond GS, Kappas A. Disposition of tin-protoporphyrin and suppression of hyperbilirubinemia in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther. May 1986;39(5):510-20. [Medline].
Aono S, Adachi Y, Uyama E, Yamada Y, Keino H, Nanno T, et al. Analysis of genes for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in Gilbert's syndrome. Lancet. Apr 15 1995;345(8955):958-9. [Medline].
Arias IM, London IM. Bilirubin glucuronide formation in vitro; demonstration of a defect in Gilbert's disease. Science. Sep 20 1957;126(3273):563-4. [Medline].
Bancroft JD, Kreamer B, Gourley GR. Gilbert syndrome accelerates development of neonatal jaundice. J Pediatr. Apr 1998;132(4):656-60. [Medline].
Beutler E, Gelbart T, Miller W. Severe jaundice in a patient with a previously undescribed glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) mutation and Gilbert syndrome. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Mar-Apr 2002;28(2):104-7. [Medline].
Black M, Sherlock S. Treatment of Gilbert's syndrome with phenobarbitone. Lancet. Jun 27 1970;1(7661):1359-61. [Medline].
Borlak J, Thum T, Landt O, Erb K, Hermann R. Molecular diagnosis of a familial nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome) in healthy subjects. Hepatology. Oct 2000;32(4 Pt 1):792-5. [Medline].
Bosma PJ, Chowdhury JR, Bakker C, Gantla S, de Boer A, Oostra BA, et al. The genetic basis of the reduced expression of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 in Gilbert's syndrome. N Engl J Med. Nov 2 1995;333(18):1171-5. [Medline].
Burchell B, Hume R. Molecular genetic basis of Gilbert's syndrome. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Oct 1999;14(10):960-6. [Medline].
Chalasani N, Chowdhury NR, Chowdhury JR, Boyer TD. Kernicterus in an adult who is heterozygous for Crigler-Najjar syndrome and homozygous for Gilbert-type genetic defect. Gastroenterology. Jun 1997;112(6):2099-103. [Medline].
Clementi M, Di Gianantonio E, Fabris L, Forabosco P, Strazzabosco M, Tenconi R, et al. Inheritance of hyperbilirubinemia: evidence for a major autosomal recessive gene. Dig Liver Dis. Apr 2007;39(4):351-5. [Medline].
Costa E. Hematologically important mutations: bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene mutations in Gilbert and Crigler-Najjar syndromes. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Jan-Feb 2006;36(1):77-80. [Medline].
Costa E. Hematologically important mutations: bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene mutations in Gilbert and Crigler-Najjar syndromes. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Jan-Feb 2006;36(1):77-80. [Medline].
Costa E, Vieira E, Martins M, Saraiva J, Cancela E, Costa M, et al. Analysis of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene in Portuguese patients with a clinical diagnosis of Gilbert and Crigler-Najjar syndromes. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Jan-Feb 2006;36(1):91-7. [Medline].
Datta DV, Nair R, Nair CR. Estimation of hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase in patients with noncirrhotic portal fibrosis and liver disease: Significance and limitations. Am J Dig Dis. Oct 1975;20(10):961-7. [Medline].
Duseja A, Das A, Das R, Dhiman RK, Chawla Y, Bhansali A. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis--is it Gilbert's syndrome?. Trop Gastroenterol. Jul-Sep 2005;26(3):123-5. [Medline].
Esteban A, Perez-Mateo M. Heterogeneity of paracetamol metabolism in Gilbert's syndrome. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. Jan-Mar 1999;24(1):9-13. [Medline].
Fang JL, Lazarus P. Correlation between the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) TATAA box polymorphism and carcinogen detoxification phenotype: significantly decreased glucuronidating activity against benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol(-) in liver microsomes from subjects with the UGT1A1*28 variant. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. Jan 2004;13(1):102-9. [Medline].
Farheen S, Sengupta S, Santra A, Pal S, Dhali GK, Chakravorty M, et al. Gilbert's syndrome: High frequency of the (TA)7 TAA allele in India and its interaction with a novel CAT insertion in promoter of the gene for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 gene. World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14 2006;12(14):2269-75. [Medline].
Ferraris A, D'Amato G, Nobili V, Torres B, Marcellini M, Dallapiccola B. Combined test for UGT1A1 -3279T-->G and A(TA)nTAA polymorphisms best predicts Gilbert's syndrome in Italian pediatric patients. Genet Test. Summer 2006;10(2):121-5. [Medline].
Hall D, Ybazeta G, Destro-Bisol G, Petzl-Erler ML, Di Rienzo A. Variability at the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 promoter in human populations and primates. Pharmacogenetics. Oct 1999;9(5):591-9. [Medline].
Hallal H, Egea JM, Mas P, Garcia MD, Perez-Cuadrado E, Carballo F. A shortened, 2-hour rifampin test: a useful tool in Gilbert's syndrome. Gastroenterol Hepatol. Feb 2006;29(2):63-5. [Medline].
Hallal H, Egea JM, Mas P, García MD, Pérez-Cuadrado E, Carballo F. A shortened, 2-hour rifampin test: a useful tool in Gilbert's syndrome. Gastroenterol Hepatol. Feb 2006;29(2):63-5. [Medline].
Hermann R, Borlak J, Munzel U, Niebch G, Fuhr U, Maus J, et al. The role of Gilbert's syndrome and frequent NAT2 slow acetylation polymorphisms in the pharmacokinetics of retigabine. Pharmacogenomics J. May-Jun 2006;6(3):211-9. [Medline].
Hirschfield GM, Alexander GJ. Gilbert's syndrome: an overview for clinical biochemists. Ann Clin Biochem. Sep 2006;43:340-3. [Medline].
Huang CS, Luo GA, Huang ML, Yu SC, Yang SS. Variations of the bilirubin uridine-diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase 1A1 gene in healthy Taiwanese. Pharmacogenetics. Aug 2000;10(6):539-44. [Medline].
Innocenti F, Iyer L, Ratain MJ. Pharmacogenetics: a tool for individualizing antineoplastic therapy. Clin Pharmacokinet. Nov 2000;39(5):315-25. [Medline].
Jirsa M, Petrasek J, Vitek L. Linkage between A(TA)7TAA and -3279T>G mutations in UGT1A1 is not essential for pathogenesis of Gilbert syndrome. Liver Int. Dec 2006;26(10):1302-3. [Medline].
Kalotychou V, Antonatou K, Tzanetea R, Terpos E, Loukopoulos D, Rombos Y. Analysis of the A(TA)(n)TAA configuration in the promoter region of the UGT1 A1 gene in Greek patients with thalassemia intermedia and sickle cell disease. Blood Cells Mol Dis. Jul-Aug 2003;31(1):38-42. [Medline].
Kaneko J, Sugawara Y, Maruo Y, Sato H, Tamura S, Imamura H, et al. Liver transplantation using donors with Gilbert syndrome. Transplantation. Jul 27 2006;82(2):282-5. [Medline].
Kaneko J, Sugawara Y, Maruo Y, Sato H, Tamura S, Imamura H, et al. Liver transplantation using donors with Gilbert syndrome. Transplantation. Jul 27 2006;82(2):282-5. [Medline].
Lankisch TO, Moebius U, Wehmeier M, Behrens G, Manns MP, Schmidt RE, et al. Gilbert's disease and atazanavir: from phenotype to UDP-glucuronosyltransferase haplotype. Hepatology. Nov 2006;44(5):1324-32. [Medline].
Lieverse AG, van Essen GG, Beukeveld GJ, Gazendam J, Dompeling EC, ten Kate LP, et al. Familial increased serum intestinal alkaline phosphatase: a new variant associated with Gilbert's syndrome. J Clin Pathol. Feb 1990;43(2):125-8. [Medline].
Maruo Y, D'Addario C, Mori A, Iwai M, Takahashi H, Sato H, et al. Two linked polymorphic mutations (A(TA)7TAA and T-3279G) of UGT1A1 as the principal cause of Gilbert syndrome. Hum Genet. Nov 2004;115(6):525-6. [Medline].
McColl KE, Thompson GG, el Omar E, Moore MR, Goldberg A. Porphyrin metabolism and haem biosynthesis in Gilbert's syndrome. Gut. Feb 1987;28(2):125-30. [Medline].
Metreau JM, Yvart J, Dhumeaux D, Berthelot P. Role of bilirubin overproduction in revealing Gilbert's syndrome: is dyserythropoiesis an important factor?. Gut. Sep 1978;19(9):838-43. [Medline].
Nettles RE, Child MJ, Bertz RJ, Schnittman S. Gilbert syndrome and the development of antiretroviral therapy-associated hyperbilirubinemia: genetic screening is unnecessary. J Infect Dis. Jun 1 2006;193(11):1611-2; author reply 1611-2. [Medline].
Ohkubo H, Okuda K, Iida S. Effects of corticosteroids on bilirubin metabolism in patients with Gilbert's syndrome. Hepatology. Mar-Apr 1981;1(2):168-72. [Medline].
Raijmakers MT, Jansen PL, Steegers EA, Peters WH. Association of human liver bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity with a polymorphism in the promoter region of the UGT1A1 gene. J Hepatol. Sep 2000;33(3):348-51. [Medline].
Rauchschwalbe SK, Zühlsdorf MT, Wensing G, Kuhlmann J. Glucuronidation of acetaminophen is independent of UGT1A1 promotor genotype. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2004;42(2):73-7. [Medline].
Ritter JK, Chen F, Sheen YY, Tran HM, Kimura S, Yeatman MT, et al. A novel complex locus UGT1 encodes human bilirubin, phenol, and other UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isozymes with identical carboxyl termini. J Biol Chem. Feb 15 1992;267(5):3257-61. [Medline].
Röllinghoff W, Paumgartner G, Preisig R. Nicotinic acid test in the diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome: correlation with bilirubin clearance. Gut. Aug 1981;22(8):663-8. [Medline].
Sieg A, Stiehl A, Raedsch R, Ullrich D, Messmer B, Kommerell B. Gilbert's syndrome: diagnosis by typical serum bilirubin pattern. Clin Chim Acta. Jan 15 1986;154(1):41-7. [Medline].
Skarke C, Grosch S, Geisslinger G, Lotsch J. Single-step identification of all length polymorphisms in the UGT1A1 gene promoter. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. Mar 2004;42(3):133-8. [Medline].
Svahn J, Lanciotti M, Dufour C, Perrotta S, Nobili B. Gilbert syndrome as differential diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia in acquired aplastic anemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer. Feb 2005;44(2):197-8. [Medline].
Tzetis M, Kanavakis E, Tsezou A, Ladis V, Pateraki E, Georgakopoulou T, et al. Gilbert syndrome associated with beta-thalassemia. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. Dec 2001;18(8):477-84. [Medline].
Wasmuth HE, Keppeler H, Herrmann U, Schirin-Sokhan R, Barker M, Lammert F. Coinheritance of Gilbert syndrome-associated UGT1A1 mutation increases gallstone risk in cystic fibrosis. Hepatology. Apr 2006;43(4):738-41. [Medline].
Whitmer DI, Gollan JL. Mechanisms and significance of fasting and dietary hyperbilirubinemia. Semin Liver Dis. Feb 1983;3(1):42-51. [Medline].
Yasukawa R, Miyaoka T, Mizuno S, Inagaki T, Horiguchi J, Oda K, et al. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the anterior cingulate gyrus, insular cortex and thalamus in schizophrenia associated with idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome). J Psychiatry Neurosci. Nov 2005;30(6):416-22. [Medline].
Further Reading
Clinical guideline
ACR Appropriateness Criteria® jaundice.
American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society. 1996 (revised 2008). 7 pages. NGC:006987
Clinical trial
The Effects of Atazanavir-Induced Hyperbilirubinemia During Human Endotoxemia
Related eMedicine topics
Crigler-Najjar Syndrome
Hyperbilirubinemia, Unconjugated
Breast Milk Jaundice
Jaundice, Neonatal
Keywords
Gilbert syndrome, jaundice, bilirubin levels, high bilirubin, bilirubin level, elevated bilirubin, serum bilirubin, Gilbert's syndrome, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, unconjugated bilirubin, constitutional hyperbilirubinemia, familial nonhemolytic jaundice, hereditary nonhemolytic bilirubinemia, low-grade chronic hyperbilirubinemia
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Gilbert Syndrome