One of the major roles of the liver is to process hormones. It is therefore not irrational to suppose that the menopause may have some effect on a woman’s experience of Gilbert’s Syndrome (and vice versa) due to the enormous hormonal changes and fluctuations that cause it.
During the menopause the ovaries are less able than before to respond to the pituitary hormones follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), and so less oestrogen is produced. Due to the reduction of oestrogen production some androgens that are still produced by the adrenal glands, such as testosterone, are not overridden as they were before the onset of the menopause.
This means there is a major shift in the balance of hormones in the body, with an increase of FSH, LH and androgens for the liver to process.
Scouring the recently published scientific research I could not find any article that had investigated the effects of these changes on people with liver conditions. Common sense suggests that these changes would be an immense shock to the liver (we only have to look at all the other effects on the body to understand that this is a huge physical change). As the liver metabolises hormones and deactivates them when they are no longer useful, it has an increased workload with the excess FSH, LH and androgens. It seems highly possible that this extra strain on the liver of someone with Gilbert’s Syndrome would bring to the fore Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms that had not previously been recognised when the liver was used to the hormonal balance of the body.
Many symptoms of the menopause and of Gilbert’s Syndrome are very similar and so these symptoms may be enhanced in someone with Gilbert’s Syndrome. For example, the insomnia or disrupted sleep caused by other menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes, can lead to fatigue and generalised aches and pains, common symptoms of Gilbert’s Syndrome. Other symptoms common to both include dizziness and difficulty with cognitive tasks, such as concentration and memory.
Finally, a word about medication. The most commonly used treatment to ease the effects of the menopause is HRT. As yet, we are not fully aware of the exact effects many medications have in relation to GS. We know some medications are processed differently by GS sufferers and so anyone taking any medication who has GS should be aware of this. There is evidence that HRT can affect bile composition (http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk), which may have implications for GS sufferers. It may, therefore, be worth being aware of these scant facts when consulting the GP, in order for them to give the best possible advice for the individual.
Unfortunately, as yet, there are no answers to the dual problem of the menopause with Gilbert’s Syndrome, apart from the advice to everyone with Gilbert’s Syndrome: to do everything in our power to reduce the workload of our liver
(originally written by contributor Nicola Southworth)
Thank you for this post on GS and menopause. I have had GS all my life and been asymptomatic until menopause hit, my androgens are high, oestrogen, progesterone low, symptoms experienced are, fat intolerance, can only eat low fat vegan diet, previously paleo, difficulty processing vitamins, constipation, jaundice, fatigue, low wbc. I have tried taking various forms of hrt felt good for two days and then it would quickly build up and I would feel toxic fatigue, I abandoned all hrt. This is the only article I could find which confirmed my suspicions between menopause and Gilbert’s so thank you sincerely as I thought I was going crazy. It all makes sense to me now after reading this article, would lowering the androgens help ease the liver, has anyone experienced menopause and Gilbert’s and restored their health post menopause. Thanking you…
I suspect it can go either way. I only became aware of symptoms which led to a GS diagnosis after the menopause. Presumably it’s been there all my life but only now have the symptoms got worse. This is largely speculative of course, as a result of what I have read recently here and elsewhere, but I have become largely intolerant of alcohol since the menopause ie I’m guessing my liver is struggling to process it (all my other liver tests are normal).
Also since the onset of menopausal symptoms I have had regular stomach upsets, with very bad diarrhoea, and gradually worsening indigestion. After ten years of this I have halted the symptoms completely by giving up on milk chocolate! This has been a puzzle to me, as scrutinising the ingredients lists of different chocolate products (those I can tolerate and those I can’t) has completely failed to isolate an ingredient I might be intolerant of. I was reminded only the other day of my GS diagnosis of some years ago, and am now wondering if there is a connection.
Fatigue and concentration problems have also got worse since the menopause. One thing that hasn’t changed – I have never been able to take very much of even normal OTC medicines without bad reactions. Paracetamol is only taken as a last resort!
The good news (from my observations) is that GS symptoms been less frequent and severe since menopause. No more pre-menstrual tension which was a big issue for me once upon a time, so much more even moods. And I seem to be able to eat more ‘regular’ food, though I will always be careful about fats and alcohol. A recent general anaesthetic has served to remind me, however, of that horrid liverish fatigue. I did tell the anaesthetist, but he clearly knew nothing about it. I vomited up the morphine on waking but have felt tired and groggy since (4 weeks).
Hi
I have been experiencing the following symptoms bloated (nightime only), lower back pain (dull ache), tired, hot sweats and now pins & needles, Im 32 and have just come off the contraceptive pill but am now worried from what ive read I could be going through an early menopause, do these symptoms sound like Gilberts Syndrome? I am due to go back to my docs tomorrow as initially she thought it was possible IBS but it doesnt seem to be triggered by any specific foods?
Hi there, these don’t sound like traditional Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms, but your Dr would be best to advise as they have the best picture of your health and other circumstances. Good luck.