Liver damage symptoms can be as subtle as nausea and and as overt as jaundice or abdominal pain. If you're concerned that you are showing symptoms of liver damage, be sure to discuss each symptom with your doctor, especially if you have engaged in behavior or been exposed to situations that put you at high risk for liver damage.
If you suspect you have liver problems, ask your doctor for liver function tests. If the liver function blood tests come back with concerning numbers, you may end up getting an imaging scan and biopsy. Your liver is a key organ; make sure you protect it and get treatment if you need it.
Jaundice
If you notice your skin is taking on a yellowish hue or the whites of your eyes are appearing slightly yellow, you may be exhibiting signs of jaundice, which is related to liver malfunction.
Abdominal Discomfort
Your liver may be swollen or enlarged, causing abdominal pain or swelling of your abdomen.
Skin Irritation
Is your skin itchy but you can't figure out why? It may be related to your liver malfunctioning.
Change in Stool Color
Liver disease can cause stools to become pale in color, tar-colored or bloody. Report changes in stool color to your doctor.
Exhaustion
Liver disease can cause you to feel tired all the time, even when you've gotten plenty of sleep.
Change in Appetite
You may feel nauseated or lose your appetite as a result of poor liver function.
Elevated Liver Enzymes
Your doctor will look for concerning numbers on several blood tests. She will be looking out for elevated transaminases and cholestatic liver enzymes. Elevated transaminases-AST and ALT-may indicate liver damage. Elevated cholestatic liver enzymes-GGT and ALP-may indicate problems with bile production or bile flow.
Enlarged or Inflamed Liver
Your doctor may also do an imaging scan to detect abnormalities in shape, size or condition. The average liver weighs three pounds. Your doctor can tell in an ultrasound or CT scan or MRI if your liver appears unhealthy. Most damaged livers appear enlarged or inflamed.
Abnormal Cells
Your doctor may even take a biopsy so she can examine the cell condition of your liver.
Only a physician can give a definite diagnosis of liver problems. If you suspect you have liver problems, see your physician.
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