Sometimes the jaundice is more noticeable after a mild illness like a viral infection. Overall, it is estimated that two to five percent of the general population has Gilbert's. Although there is a blood test that can measure the amount of the defective enzyme, the test is not widely available. Usually if a patient is jaundiced, the doctor will do some simple blood tests to make sure that the cause is not a serious one like viral hepatitis or some sort of blockage in the liver. If the repeated blood tests show mildly elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin, then the cause is most likely Gilbert's syndrome.
Nothing generally needs to be done.
If the doctor is concerned that the amount of bilirubin is getting too high, she can prescribed Phenobarbital. This is seldom needed. Gilberts Syndrome - an educational page from the American Liver Foundation. Our aim is to act as a resource to people with GS, and as an educational site to those without. To achieve this aim we have reports from doctors, an interactive message board and personal comments and advice from our co-authors.