The causes of liver disease vary between the patient's neglect of health care and following an unhealthy lifestyle. Liver disorders can also appear as a result of complications from other diseases or as a side effect of using some medications for long periods. There are certain signs that indicate a malfunction in the liver, in addition to indicators that indicate its safety. In this article, Dalili Medical will review the most prominent symptoms that indicate the presence of liver diseases.

**How ​​can I make sure I am free from liver disease?**

 

A group of blood tests known as liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver diseases. In addition, other blood tests can be performed to detect certain problems or diseases in the liver resulting from genetic changes. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging can also reveal any liver damage.

**How ​​can I know if I have a liver problem?**

 

Some symptoms such as body swelling, fluid retention in the ankles and abdominal cavity, as well as muscle weakness and weight loss, can indicate a health problem in the liver. These symptoms may indicate an imbalance of fluids in the body, which may indicate liver disease.

**How ​​can I tell if I have liver toxins?**

 

Possible signs include dark urine, light-colored stools, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, and persistent nausea and vomiting.

When do hepatitis symptoms appear?

 

Symptoms usually appear one to four months after infection, but some people may experience them as early as the second week after infection. Some people, especially young children, may not have any symptoms at all. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B include: Abdominal pain.

How can I tell if I have a liver problem?

 

Possible signs of liver problems include: swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles, frequent headaches, changes in body weight where the patient may gain extra weight quickly and have difficulty losing it, and digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, and gas.

*What causes liver disease?**

 

Liver disease is caused by a variety of factors, including:

- Hepatitis B or C virus infection.

- Certain autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis.

- Hereditary metabolic conditions that lead to increased iron levels or copper accumulation in the body.

- Fatty liver, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD).

- Long-term alcohol consumption.

**What is a liver function test?**

 

Liver function tests are used to diagnose liver diseases, such as hepatitis, to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in patients with known liver disease, to evaluate the side effects of certain medications, and to determine the extent of liver scarring or damage resulting from conditions such as cirrhosis.

**Why do I need a liver function test?**

 

Liver function tests are done for people who have symptoms that suggest liver problems, such as jaundice, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fatigue, as well as light-colored stools and dark urine.

A liver function test (LFT) is recommended for people who have a family history of liver disease, who are suspected of having been exposed to the hepatitis virus, who are addicted to alcohol, or who are taking medications that may be toxic to the liver.

**Understanding Liver Function Test (LFT) Results**

If subsequent LFT results are outside the normal range, this may indicate that the liver is not working properly or has been damaged. Liver damage can be caused by a number of diseases, including hepatitis A, B, or C, alcoholism, diabetes, and liver cancer. It is important to interpret LFT results in collaboration with a qualified medical professional, and self-diagnosis should be avoided.

**What happens during a liver function test?**

 

During a liver function test, blood samples are taken, which is similar to other blood tests. Before an LFT, it is recommended that you fast for 10 to 12 hours. A healthcare professional draws blood from a vein in the patient’s upper arm using a test tube or vial, and the sample is analyzed in a laboratory. The blood test takes only a few minutes.

What are the signs of liver failure?

 

Signs of liver failure include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine and light-colored stools. You may also feel itchy skin, feel chronically tired, experience vomiting and nausea, and have swelling in the ankles and legs.

How long does a liver function test take?

 

Liver function tests are performed through a blood test, and the process only takes a few minutes. Liver function test results are usually processed within a few hours, and are often available the same day.

**How ​​do I prepare for a liver function test?**

 

Before an LFT, you are advised to fast for 10 to 12 hours.

**What is the most important liver function test?**

 

The serum albumin level test is the most important liver function test. Albumin is the main protein produced by the liver, and it plays a vital role in many body functions, such as tissue nutrition and transport of vitamins, hormones and other substances. Therefore, measuring the level of albumin in the blood is very important for diagnosing various liver diseases.

**What is the critical level of ALT enzyme?**

 

ALT enzyme values ​​can rise to 10 or 20 times the normal levels. In cases of acute viral hepatitis, ALT levels may reach 300 units/liter, while in cases of toxic hepatitis, they can reach 3000Unit/L.

**What is the normal range for liver function tests (LFT)?**

 

The normal range for liver function tests is as follows:

- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 7-55 units/L

- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 8-48 units/L

- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 40-129 units/L

- Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL

- Total protein: 6.3-7.9 g/dL

- Bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL

What are the types of liver disease?

 

There are more than 100 types of liver disease. Some common types are:

- **Viral (infectious) hepatitis**: Hepatitis refers to inflammation (swelling and redness) of the liver, and is caused by hepatitis viruses, such as A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with available vaccines.

- **Hepatitis A**: This disease is often mild, and patients usually recover completely within two months without the need for medical intervention. There are safe and effective vaccines against the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

- **Hepatitis B**: Hepatitis B can damage the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is no definitive cure for hepatitis B, but preventive vaccines are available.

- **Hepatitis C**: Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C can cause severe liver damage and cirrhosis, which can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer).

- **Liver cysts**: These are fluid-filled masses within the liver. These cysts are usually asymptomatic and do not require treatment. However, larger cysts can cause pain and discomfort, requiring drainage and removal.

**Liver Cancer:** Liver cancer is defined as the growth and spread of abnormal and unhealthy cells within the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of this disease. The main factors that increase the risk of liver cancer are cirrhosis and hepatitis B.

**Genetic diseases:** Some of the genetic diseases that affect the liver include:

- **Wilson's disease:** A condition characterized by the accumulation of excess copper in vital organs.

- **Hemochromatosis:** A condition that causes the body to retain excess iron.

**Cirrhosis:** Cirrhosis refers to scarring of the liver, where healthy tissue is replaced by hard scar tissue. Cirrhosis can occur as a result of chronic inflammation resulting from infection, heart disease, or ongoing injuries.

**Fatty liver:** This refers to the presence of excess fat stored in the liver, and can be either alcohol-related fatty liver disease (ALD) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

- **Alcohol-related liver diseases:** include alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is divided into two types: simple fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In simple fatty liver, inflammation occurs in the liver cells, while in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, the liver cells are more damaged due to fibrosis, which may lead to cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

**Normal levels of liver function tests**

Normal levels of liver function tests include:

- Alanine aminotransferase: 5-40 units/liter.

- Aspartate aminotransferase:

- Males: 8-46 units/liter.

- Females: 7-34 units/liter.

- Alkaline phosphatase: 13-39 units/liter.

- Albumin: 3.5-5 g/100 ml.

- Total bilirubin: 0.3-1.9 mg / 100 ml.

- Direct bilirubin: less than 0.4 mg / 100 ml.

- Gamma glutamyl transferase: 9-48 units / liter.

**The most prominent diseases that can affect the liver**

 

There are many diseases that may affect the liver, the most prominent of which are:

- Viral diseases, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

- Some genetic diseases, such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease.

- Diseases resulting from the effects of drugs and alcohol, such as cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.

**Symptoms of liver problems**

The main symptoms of liver problems include the following:

. **Pain and swelling in the right side of the abdomen** The liver is one of the large organs in the abdominal cavity, and when feeling pain or swelling in the upper right part of the abdomen, this may be an indication of a liver problem. It is important not to ignore this symptom, and if it persists, you should immediately consult a doctor, as it is a sign of liver fatigue.

. **Spots and marks on the skin** When the liver does not function properly, it fails to purify the blood as it should, which may lead to the appearance of blood clots close to the surface of the skin. These clots usually appear in the form of spots or skin blemishes, and may take the form of stars or spiders.

These marks, known as spider angiomas, often appear in the trunk or chest area, and are considered symptoms that may indicate health problems in the liver.

. **Joint pain and fatigue** Joint inflammation and pain, in addition to symptoms of fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, are indicators of liver problems, and are particularly associated with the risk of autoimmune hepatitis. In this case, the immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells and tissues.

. **Yellowing of the skin and eyes** During the process of breaking down old cells in the body, a yellow substance known as bilirubin is produced. If the liver is healthy, this substance is eliminated effectively. However, if the liver suffers from a health problem, it may fail to eliminate it efficiently, which leads to its accumulation in the body and blood, and thus the symptoms of yellowing of the skin and eyes appear, which are among the most prominent signs of liver disease.

In this case, the person may suffer from what is known as jaundice, which is accompanied by some symptoms such as dark urine color.

. **Feeling disturbed** Liver problems are among the causes ofWhich leads to the accumulation of copper in the blood and brain, gradually affecting brain functions. This may lead to a feeling of disorder, and in advanced stages may cause Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms may not appear in the early stages of the disease, but are discovered if appropriate treatment is not received and the condition is not controlled.

.** Muscle wasting** Muscle wasting can manifest itself in body swelling and fluid retention in the ankles and abdominal cavity, with a thin body and weak legs and arms. This wasting and muscle weakness may be evidence of an imbalance of fluids in the body as a result of a health problem in the liver, which is considered a symptom of liver disease or liver fatigue. However, wasting is usually considered an advanced symptom that indicates a malfunction in liver functions, and does not appear from the beginning of the infection. We remind you that following a healthy lifestyle, drinking enough water, and following a balanced diet with exercise are among the best ways to maintain liver health and protect it from problems. It is always important to take care of that

*. Menstrual Problems** Liver disease can cause menstrual and reproductive problems in both women and men. A weak liver can cause an inability to regulate hormone production and breakdown, which can lead to enlarged breasts in men and shrinking testicles. For women, their menstrual cycle may be affected, causing symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding or amenorrhea.

There is no need to worry if you experience any of these symptoms, but it is important to improve liver health by following a healthy diet and drinking adequate fluids. If any of these signs appear, it is best to consult a specialist doctor.

**. Loss of appetite** The liver plays an essential role in the digestion process, so damage to it can lead to loss of appetite. This in turn can lead to weight loss. Patients with chronic liver disease experience abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss.

**. Jaundice** is a health condition characterized by dark urine and yellowing of the whites of the eyes. This symptom is one of the most common signs, not only in cases of liver damage, but also in some other health disorders.

When should you see a doctor about liver disease?

 

In the early stages, people with liver disease may not have any symptoms that require medical attention. However, you should pay attention to digestive system diseases if you are at risk for liver disease and have symptoms of cirrhosis, such as:

- Feeling very tired and constantly weak

- Loss of appetite, which may lead to weight loss

- Decreased libido

- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

- Vomiting blood

- Black stools