Elevated Biliruben and Gilbert's Disease???

Published

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Maybe someone can help me out here.

The 12 year old son of my good friend and coworker recently came to her with a "knot" under his arm.. an enlarged lymph node. Afebrile, no troublesome symptoms. She kept an eye on it the past two weeks, it is getting larger. Took him to the doc to rule out mono, etc.

Labs came back today, Doc told her the boy's biliruben was "sky high" (she had just this week also noticed his sclera taking on a yellow tint, as well as his skin.)

Doc wants him to see a specialist.. said he's thinking "Gilbert's Disease" but wants more test run, etc.

Has anyone heard of this? I've never heard of Gilbert's Disease.

If anyone has ever run across this, any input would be appreciated. I told my friend I'd ask you all and see what we can find out. She's obviously and understandably concerned about her little man.

The doc said it was some form of hereditary nonmalignant "something".. she couldn't remember. She's still a PCT in nursing school, so she couldn't remember all the medical terms he used.

Thanx in advance for any responses. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Maybe someone can help me out here.

The 12 year old son of my good friend and coworker recently came to her with a "knot" under his arm.. an enlarged lymph node. Afebrile, no troublesome symptoms. She kept an eye on it the past two weeks, it is getting larger. Took him to the doc to rule out mono, etc.

Labs came back today, Doc told her the boy's biliruben was "sky high" (she had just this week also noticed his sclera taking on a yellow tint, as well as his skin.)

Doc wants him to see a specialist.. said he's thinking "Gilbert's Disease" but wants more test run, etc.

Has anyone heard of this? I've never heard of Gilbert's Disease.

If anyone has ever run across this, any input would be appreciated. I told my friend I'd ask you all and see what we can find out. She's obviously and understandably concerned about her little man.

The doc said it was some form of hereditary nonmalignant "something".. she couldn't remember. She's still a PCT in nursing school, so she couldn't remember all the medical terms he used.

Thanx in advance for any responses. :)

Hello, jnette.:balloons:

Gilbert's Dz/syndrome is usually a benign condition and doesn't require any tx per se. The body has difficulty metabolizing bilirubin. Normally the individual has no s/s. Just has the yellowing of the skin. Sometimes they may be fatigued, run an elevation, N/V. Most times the skin will be darker during times of stress and/or infection. The biggest thing is the differential dx like hepatitis.

But, I have never seen any enlarged nodes accompanying this......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Try for more info here:

American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane

Suite 603

New York, NY 10038

USA

Tel: 2126681000

Fax: 2124838179

Tel: 8004654837

Email: [email protected]

Internet: http://www.liverfoundation.org

Parents of Infants and Children with Kernicterus

517 Brentwood Dr

Birmingham, AL 35226

Tel: (205)979-2021

Fax: (205)975-7928

Email: [email protected]

Internet: http://www.PICKonline.org

A fairly good description:

http://www.medicinenet.com/gilbert_syndrome/article.htm

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, PACU, OR.

I have seen it twice in almost 10 years between ER and pacu. It is genetic, but the individuals do rarely show signs or symptoms. For those who do, there really isn't much treatment to my knowledge. However, it is NOT a malignancy. rather just kind of a pain in the butt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

You guys are the best !!! :kiss I KNEW you'd come through !

I'm going to email her this so she can sleep well tonight.

Thanx again ! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion