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

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

• What it is: A condition where there is an excessive build-up of fat in the liver
• 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

• What it is: An infectious liver disease caused by Hepatitis A virus; it is a type of viral hepatitis.  It is spread in the poo of an infected person. Most people who get it get better within a few months
• 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

• What they are: Infectious liver diseases caused by Hepatitis B and C viruses; that cause inflammation of the liver. Both can lead to chronic infections and serious liver damage if left untreated. They are primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, though they have different treatment options
• 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

• What it is: A condition where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, ultimately impairing liver function
• 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

• What it is: when abnormal cells in the liver grow uncontrollably, either starting in the liver (primary; commonest type called a hepatocellular carcinoma, or hepatoma) or spreading from another part of the body (secondary)
• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, jaundice
• When to Worry: If you have a high alcohol intake, diabetes/obesity, cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C. These are risk factors for primary liver cancer
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience persistent symptoms or are at risk.

6. Autoimmune Hepatitis

• What it is: Occurs when the body’s immune system (which usually attacks viruses, bacteria and other causes of disease) instead targets the liver
• 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)

• What it is: An autoimmune disease of the liver. It results from a slow, progressive destruction of the small bile ducts of the liver
• 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)

• What it is: A (probably) autoimmune condition where bile ducts (inside and outside the liver), become inflamed and scarred (fibrosis) – eventually narrowing and blocking them. The majority of people with PSC also have inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD)
• 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 (iron overload)

• What it is: An inherited condition in which your body absorbs and stores too much iron. It can damage your organs over time, but it’s treatable
• 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.

10. Wilson’s Disease

• What it is: A rare inherited condition that causes copper levels to build up in several organs, especially the liver, brain and eyes
• 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.