Back to Health A to Z. In Gilbert's syndrome, slightly higher than normal levels of a substance called bilirubin build up in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance found naturally in the blood.
It forms as a by-product when old red blood cells are broken down. Most people with Gilbert's syndrome have occasional and short-lived episodes of yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes jaundice.
It's caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice may be less obvious if you have brown or black skin, but you may notice the white part of your eyes looks yellow. As Gilbert's syndrome usually only causes a slight increase in bilirubin levels, the yellowing of jaundice is often mild. The eyes are usually affected most.
Around 1 in 3 people with Gilbert's syndrome do not experience any symptoms at all. You may not realise you have Gilbert's syndrome until tests for an unrelated problem are carried out.
The jaundice of Gilbert's syndrome is usually mild, but jaundice can be associated with more serious liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C. It's important to get immediate medical advice from a GP if you have jaundice. If you have been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome, you do not usually need to get medical advice during an episode of jaundice, unless you have additional or unusual symptoms.
