Overview

Gilbert's (zheel-BAYRS) syndrome is a common, harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn't properly process bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.

If you have Gilbert's syndrome — also known as constitutional hepatic dysfunction and familial nonhemolytic jaundice — you're born with the condition as a result of an inherited gene mutation. You might not know you have Gilbert's syndrome until it's discovered by accident, such as when a blood test shows elevated bilirubin levels.

Gilbert's syndrome requires no treatment.