I've just posted over on the main blog about how i was sent a letter from my doctor inviting me to have a flu jab because i fell into an 'at risk' catergory.

When i telephoned the surgery to ask what catergory, they told me I'd been diagnosed with Gilbert's Syndrome 11 years ago.

Luckily after googling Gilbert's Syndrome, i realised my life wasn't about to end tomorrow. But what I did find interesting was the ailments, many of which i've been suffering from in various degrees for some time now which i'd just put down to the 'pace of life'.

Do you suffer from Gilbert's Syndrome? Do you know someone who does (apart from me silly)? Or is this a case of the symptoms fitting a convenient 'truth' diagnosis?

Here's a link to the blog article at GSTF's - http://gosmelltheflowers.com/archives/4497

Tests and diagnosis
Often found by accident or if you have jaundice
If you have jaundice, your doctor may suspect that you have Gilbert syndrome or perhaps another condition. Often, though, Gilbert is found purely by accident when you have blood tests for other health reasons. Although it's present from birth, Gilbert syndrome usually isn't diagnosed until puberty or later, when bilirubin production increases.

Blood tests
Your doctor may do a physical exam and order additional blood tests. With Gilbert syndrome, unless you have an episode of jaundice, there are no physical signs or symptoms.

Common blood tests include:

Complete blood count (CBC)
Liver function tests
A diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome can usually be made from blood tests. With Gilbert syndrome, all of the results will typically be normal except for the mildly increased level of unconjugated bilirubin.

When you have Gilbert syndrome, the level of bilirubin in your blood may fluctuate. It's not always higher than the normal range. If your initial blood test shows a normal level of bilirubin, your doctor may suggest repeating the tests a couple of times.

Tests that help rule out other conditions
Rarely, your doctor may suggest other tests, including:

An ultrasound of your liver
Fasting for a 24-hour period to see if that increases bilirubin levels
Genetic testing, which is not widely available, to check for the abnormal gene that causes Gilbert syndrome
When you have jaundice or a high bilirubin level, it's important to ensure that you don't have a more serious liver condition such as hepatitis or an obstructed bile duct. Your doctor may recommend other tests to check for such conditions.

Thanks CC - more great advice.

I just posted a number of thank you's over on the original blog post and also updated on how it might have been diagnosed.... to recap, in 1997 i went to the doctor with terrible pains in the kidney area - especially after drinking a glass of red wine.

I was worried i had something wrong with my liver / kidneys etc.

At the time they took some blood for testing. Also the doctor reckoned that i was reacting to Tannins in the red wine - suggested i try to find a wine with less tannin in it (such a nice chap!).

I've since discovered tannin is also in tea (i don't drink coffee) so i'm on a 3 month herbal / peppermint tea regime and the odd glass of white wine? - I'll let you know if the tea thing helps.

Well a few weeks in now and I've stuck rigidly to my herbal / peppermint tea regime. I only slipped one weekend when I was just dying for a drink of tea with milk in it - ummmm it tasted so nice and then a few hours later my stomach started rejecting it. I was most unwell.

So I've not risked it since.

Mind you, I've not had any alcohol either, apart from a rum and coke (home made) one evening. We'd had a very hard day!

Diet wise, spicy foods and plain foods - mostly vegetarian seem to be OK with. I'm drinking lots of water from the cooler at work and apart from peppermint tea, the only other drink i've had is hot chocolate.

There is definately a link between the tannins in tea (and some red wines) and the effect on my digestive system that I think is related to the Gilbert's Syndrome - the symptoms of feeling queasy especially.

Anyone suffered similar?

Month 3 - number of cups of ordinary tea = 2 (offered by people when visiting so rude not to accept - i'm sure i'll live)

The peppermint tea regime (with brief interludes into nettle when the peppermint runs out) is still proving the most effective treatment for my dodgy insides - not a single episode and we've had some stressful times recently i can tell you.

So this is one 'new' tradition i shall carry into the new year.

Jonathan.

Still on the Peppermint tea folks - and feeling slightly better everyday now.

Purple,

Thanks you for the update!!! I'm glad that you are doing better. Wished I liked tea..can't stand it, but peppermint tea sounds so good.

Take care,
CC

Time for a refreshing cup of peppermint tea - update.

Well guys, earlier this week saw me at the doctors for a bit of a check up and now they want to take another armful of blood on Friday - think of me - not the needle.

I'm still on peppermint tea (with occasional supplements of nettle tea if the old peppermint runs out).

I don't always feel great - but I can easily imagine feeling a lot worse than I do now, so for me, the peppermint tea thing has worked and I now have a no desire (well once i'd started never did) for ordinary tea ever again.

Even my parents have now accepted what i drink and if they do raise an eyebrow, then it's not until I've left the room.

How's your tea drinking habit coming along? Have you changed a drinking habit recently - either due to a health scare or just because you thought it would be good for you?

Amazed it's 9 months since you shared this with us Purple, time is a flying!

Talk about timing - I'm having a ginger tea phase at the moment and it's going down a treat....

Ah the beauty of online journals - always there to remind us of how long things have taken...

Ginger has all sorts of healing properties - even an ignorant chappie like me knows that.

Flat ginger beer can be given to children as a remedy / pre remedy for travel sickness i understand. Just make sure you serve it in a coke can.

Peppermint tea sales must be soaring in our area...

Didn't know the flat ginger beer trick....

Glad you're stil into the tea!

changes do happen. I know they are the trace of time , adidas f50 adizero,irresistible and inevitable. the moment I saw my father I should not recognize him.I know he is getting old ,but returning home after more than 4moths,the symptoms of old should have grown beyond my imagination. I felt guilt and regret. I know I am the killer who take away his strength and youth.apparently he was pleased that I arrived so early and brought presents for them. when I was young I always thought he was some kind of tyrant , stern and severe.Nike Mercurial Vapor, I thought he was not approachable and touching.while with years passing by, in the process of my growing up and his getting old , these impression fades and instead it is replaced by words as gentle caring and loving . he played cheese and badminton with me, he would sing with me , he cooked for me , he chat with me , he is tolerant of me.my dear father and all my families , I say sorry for my past fault , I know sometimes I just easily surrender myself to the various temptation, and lose myself and my way. but believe me , I just easily surrender myself to the various temptation, and lose myself and my way. football boots,but believe me ,my experience is added over time and I can preserve my values and trace my path to maturity