Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Hyperbiliverdinemia

A rare condition in which skin, urine, and body fluids look green because of a pigment called biliverdin.

Understanding Hyperbiliverdinemia

Hyperbiliverdinemia is a rare genetic liver condition with green coloring of the skin, urine, and other body fluids.

The green color is due to high blood levels of a pigment called biliverdin. It occurs with a blocked flow of bile or with liver failure. It has also been linked to malnutrition, medicines, and a birth condition called congenital biliary atresia. It often shows in adults.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Green urine
  • Green color of skin and eye whites
  • Reduced liver function
  • Gallstones
  • Slowed or blocked bile flow (cholestasis)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in BLVRA are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What is causing the high biliverdin, such as a blocked bile duct?
How is liver health monitored?
Would genetic testing for BLVRA help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant, Autosomal Recessive
GenesBLVRA

Changes in the BLVRA gene cause this condition. GARD lists autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance.

GeneticGastrointestinal

Also known as: green jaundice; hblvd

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · HyperbiliverdinemiaGARD ID 17279 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Hyperbiliverdinemia.

Explore the Hyperbiliverdinemia blog

Explore research for Hyperbiliverdinemia

Explore actively recruiting Hyperbiliverdinemia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Hyperbiliverdinemia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Hyperbiliverdinemia studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Hyperbiliverdinemia

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Hyperbiliverdinemia

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Hyperbiliverdinemia experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.