10 Common Liver Problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

1. Fatty Liver (or NASH; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)

• Symptoms: Often none, but can include fatigue, abdominal discomfort
• When to Worry: If you have diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you have risk factors.

2. Hepatitis A

• Symptoms: Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• When to Worry: If exposed to contaminated food/water or travel to high-risk areas
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms appear, especially after potential exposure

3. Hepatitis B and C

• Symptoms: Similar to Hepatitis A, plus chronic infection can lead to liver damage over time
• When to Worry: If you’ve had unprotected sex, shared needles, or have had a blood transfusion
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms appear or if you’re at risk for infection.

4. Cirrhosis

• Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, swelling in legs/ankles
• When to Worry: If you have a history of heavy alcohol use or hepatitis
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms persist or worsen.

5, Liver Cancer

• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, jaundice
• When to Worry: If you have cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience persistent symptoms or are at risk.

6. Autoimmune Hepatitis

• Symptoms: Fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, joint pain
• When to Worry: If you have a family history of autoimmune diseases. It is an autoimmune disease of the liver
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms persist or worsen.

7. Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

• Symptoms: Fatigue, itching, jaundice
• When to Worry: If you have a family history of autoimmune diseases. It is an autoimmune disease of the liver
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms persist.

8. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

• Symptoms: Fatigue, itching, jaundice, abdominal pain
• When to Worry: If you have inflammatory bowel disease
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms appear.

9. Haemochromatosis

• Symptoms: Fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, skin bronzing
• When to Worry: If you have a family history. It is an inherited disease
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms persist or worsen.

• Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, tremors, difficulty walking
• When to Worry: If you have a family history. It is an inherited disease
• When to See a Doctor: If symptoms appear, especially in children/adolescents.