Are your eyes turning yellow? It could be Gilbert's Syndrome!

Have you ever felt like the whites of your eyes and skin are turning a little yellow? It's a little scary to see that, isn't it? You might think it's some kind of liver disease. One possible cause of this is a condition called Gilbert's syndrome. But don't be scared when you hear the name, it's not as dangerous as you might think. In fact, it's more of a genetic condition than a disease.

Simply put, what is Gilbert's syndrome?

Gilbert's syndrome is a very common condition that runs in our families, that is, it is hereditary. A person with this has too much of a waste product called bilirubin in their blood.

Now you're probably wondering what bilirubin is. It's very simple. The red blood cells in our body also have a lifespan. When that lifespan is over, they break down. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment, or waste product, that forms when red blood cells break down. Normally, our liver takes this bilirubin, processes it, and removes it from the body through bile.

But in people with Gilbert's syndrome, the liver doesn't produce enough of a special enzyme that does this job. So bilirubin can't be completely cleared, and some of it remains in the blood. When the bilirubin level in the blood increases, sometimes the eyes and skin turn yellow. We also call this jaundice .

What is the reason for this situation?

This is due to a small difference in our genes. Just as we inherit things like skin color and hair texture from our parents, this is also true.

There is a gene in our body called UGT1A1 . This gene instructs us to make the liver enzyme that I mentioned earlier that cleans bilirubin. Gilbert's syndrome is caused by a small mutation in this gene.

For you to have this condition, you need to have two copies of the mutated gene. This means you have to inherit the gene from both your mother and your father . However, even if you have both genes, not everyone will show the symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome. Also, the condition is more common in men than in women.

What are the symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome?

In fact, most people with Gilbert's syndrome have no symptoms at all . They have enough liver enzymes to control the bilirubin levels in their bodies.

The main and sometimes only symptom is a yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin, known as jaundice. If you experience yellowing of the eyes, it is important to see a doctor for a checkup , as there may be other causes.

Some people may experience the following symptoms along with yellowing of the eyes:

• Vomiting and stomach upset
• Stomach discomfort
• Feeling very tired (fatigue)
• Dark urine

Why do my eyes turn yellow only sometimes, not always?

This is a good question. There are certain things that can cause our bilirubin levels to increase. This is when we usually see yellowing of the eyes.

How to recognize this condition?

Although Gilbert's syndrome is a congenital condition, it is most often diagnosed in people in their 20s or 30s. That too happens by chance.

Imagine that you are having a blood test for some other reason. Then your doctor sees that the bilirubin level in your blood is slightly higher than normal. Then he may suspect that you have Gilbert's syndrome.

Then, to make sure there are no other dangerous liver diseases, the doctor may do several tests, such as:

• Liver Function Tests (LFT): This is a common blood test.
• Liver Ultrasound: To check for other liver problems.
• Gene Tests: Confirm if you have the UGT1A1 gene mutation.
• Liver Biopsy: This is done very rarely.

Treatment and what we can do ourselves

The good news is that most people with Gilbert's syndrome don't need any treatment , and the yellowing of your eyes won't cause you any long-term problems.

So what we need to do is stay as far away as possible from the things I mentioned earlier that increase bilirubin levels.

• Don't skip meals, especially when fasting.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids. Don't let your body become dehydrated.
• Manage stress. Do something relaxing like meditating, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.
• Sleep well. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day.
• Limit or stop drinking alcohol completely.
• Avoid strenuous exercise. Moderate exercise is fine, but don't push yourself beyond your limits.

What you need to know when taking medication!

This is very important. If you have Gilbert's syndrome, you need to be aware of this before taking any new medication.

The same enzyme that cleans bilirubin in our liver also helps break down and remove some medications from the body. So, because you have Gilbert's syndrome, the activity of that enzyme is slightly reduced. So, if you take such medications, they accumulate in the body in excess.The risk of side effects is high.

For example, look at these medications:

• Acetaminophen - (Contains Panadol, Paracetamol)
• Irinotecan - a drug used to treat cancer
• Some drugs for HIV and hepatitis C (Protease inhibitors)