Autoimmune liver disease is a chronic condition wherein the immune system erroneously attacks and destroys liver cells. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports the disorder most often presents in young adults. Approximately seven out of 10 people with autoimmune hepatitis are female. Although diagnosing autoimmune liver disease requires blood tests and often a liver biopsy, symptoms suggestive of chronic liver disease initiate the appropriate diagnostic protocol.
Fatigue
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports fatigue is a common symptom of autoimmune liver disease. The onset of this disorder is typically slowly progressive. The onset fatigue is similarly gradual. Disease-related fatigue does not abate after rest and sleep.
Abdominal Discomfort
People with autoimmune liver disease may experience abdominal discomfort, advises the Mayo Clinic. Patients with this symptom describe it as a vaguely uncomfortable sensation that lacks the intensity of frank pain.
Nausea, Vomiting and Loss of Appetite
Nausea and vomiting may occur with autoimmune liver disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. These symptoms tend to wax and wane, and may accompany a loss of appetite.
Jaundice and Itching
Decreased liver function associated with autoimmune liver disease may cause an abnormal buildup of the chemical bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is an intensely yellow-colored chemical derived from the breakdown of old red blood cells. The liver normally processes bilirubin and excretes it in the bile. This processing often becomes markedly reduced with severe liver disease. The excess bilirubin leads to jaundice--yellow staining of the skin, nail beds and the whites of the eyes. The Mayo Clinic advises that jaundice may be a presenting symptom of autoimmune liver disease. Generalized itching may also occur and can range from mild to severe.
Joint Pain
In a 2009 review article on autoimmune hepatitis published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," Dr. A. Teufel and colleagues noted pain in the small joints of the hands and feet occurs frequently with this disorder.
Dark Urine and Pale Stool
With advanced autoimmune liver disease, there is a decreased amount of bilirubin in the stool. This causes the fecal material to appear pale. Conversely, overabundance of bilirubin in the blood causes increased bilirubin byproducts in the urine, leading to darkly colored urine. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases advises that dark urine and pale stool may occur with autoimmune liver disease.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Mayo Clinic: Autoimmune Hepatitis, Symptoms
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Autoimmune Hepatitis, Symptoms
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases: Practice Guideline, Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis
- World Journal of Gastroenterology: Update on Autoimmune Hepatitis
