Gilbert’s Disease

Gilbert’s Disease is a genetic condition that affects the liver’s ability to process a substance called bilirubin, a rare and usually harmless condition. This disease is a lifelong condition that usually occurs during adolescence. Elevated bilirubin levels can cause jaundice of the skin and eyes, but usually do not cause serious health problems. In this article we have written for you, we will examine what Gilbert’s Disease is, how it occurs and its symptoms.

What Is Gilbert’s Disease?

Gilbert’s Disease is a genetic condition that affects the liver’s ability to process a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a waste product formed as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells and is normally filtered by the liver and excreted through the urine. In people with Gilbert’s Disease, the liver’s efficiency in filtering bilirubin is reduced, so bilirubin levels rise and can cause jaundice. The disease is a lifelong condition that usually occurs during adolescence.

How Does Gilbert’s Disease Occur?

Gilbert’s Disease is caused by a genetic mutation. This mutation causes a gene called UGT1A1 to function abnormally. This gene is responsible for producing an enzyme in the liver that is necessary to filter bilirubin. Because of the mutation, enzyme production decreases and bilirubin levels rise. The disease is mostly inherited autosomal recessively, meaning both parents must carry the mutated gene.

What Are the Symptoms of Gilbert’s Disease?

Most people with Gilbert’s Disease do not experience obvious symptoms, and the disease is often discovered incidentally during blood tests for another cause. However, in some cases, high bilirubin levels can cause:

• Jaundice of the skin and eyes:
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Abdominal pain,

Symptoms can be triggered by factors such as stress, infection, hunger, alcohol consumption, or intense exercise. Usually, it does not affect the quality of life of people with Gilbert’s Disease and does not require special treatment.

How is Gilbert’s Disease Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Gilbert’s disease can be made using the following methods;

People with Gilbert’s disease usually have no obvious symptoms. However, in some cases, especially when faced with factors such as stress, infection, starvation, dehydration or excessive exercise, patients may experience mild jaundice in the whites of the eyes and skin. Such symptoms may cause the doctor to consider the disease and perform further tests.

Blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of Gilbert’s disease measure bilirubin levels. In people with the disease, total bilirubin levels may be slightly higher than normal, but other liver function tests are normal. Also, doctors often do additional tests to rule out other liver diseases or conditions that may affect bilirubin levels, such as hemolytic anemia.

Gilbert’s disease occurs due to a genetic mutation. Mutation of a gene called UGT1A1 causes a mild disorder in bilirubin metabolism. Therefore, the diagnosis of Gilbert’s disease can be confirmed by genetic testing. However, these tests are often expensive and are only used when a definitive diagnosis cannot be made based on symptoms and blood test results.

How Is Gilbert’s Disease Treated?

Gilbert’s disease is usually harmless and often requires no specific treatment. However, in some cases, the following treatment methods can be applied to improve the quality of life of patients and relieve symptoms;

It is important for people with Gilbert’s disease to avoid factors that can affect bilirubin levels. This may include lifestyle changes such as regular sleep, healthy eating, adequate fluid intake, and managing stress. It is also important for patients to avoid medications that can increase bilirubin levels by talking to their doctor.

The symptoms of jaundice from Gilbert’s disease are usually mild and require no specific treatment. However, in cases where jaundice is severe, doctors may recommend medications to lower patients’ bilirubin levels. These medications may include bilirubin-binding agents or, in some cases, light therapy (phototherapy).

It is important for people with Gilbert’s disease to see their doctor regularly and have blood tests done. This helps monitor the course of the disease and adjust treatment modalities as needed.

Gilbert’s disease is usually a harmless condition and often requires no specific treatment. However, lifestyle changes and management of symptoms can improve patients’ quality of life and prevent potential complications.

How Should People With Gilbert’s Disease Be Fed?

It is important for people with Gilbert’s disease to pay attention to their diet, as this can contribute to the management of the disease. Nutritional recommendations for those with Gilbert’s disease can be explained as follows;

• Low Fat Diet,
• High Fiber Foods,
• Water Consumption,
• Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine,
• Avoid Processed Foods,
• Regular Meals,
• Vitamin and Mineral Supplements,

Does Gilbert’s Disease Pass to Children?

Because Gilbert’s disease is a genetic condition, the susceptibility to the disease can be passed from mother and father to child. Gilbert’s disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This means that if both parents are carriers for Gilbert’s disease and pass the gene on to the child, the child can develop the disease.

However, it does not mean that the child of a parent with Gilbert’s disease will necessarily develop the disease. If only one parent is a carrier, the child has a lower risk of developing the disease. Also, because Gilbert’s disease is usually a mild condition, affected children can usually lead normal and healthy lives.

If both parents are carriers for Gilbert’s disease and want to learn about their child’s risk of developing the disease, they can seek genetic counseling. Genetic counselors provide information that can help families assess the possible effects of the disease and their child’s risk.

Gilbert’s Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has succeeded in making its name known to the world with its investments and Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. Regarding Gilbert’s Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey, we can see that patients and their relatives who want to come to Turkey are doing research. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.