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Liver Diseases
We provide the best care for your liver health
Liver diseases can greatly impact your well-being and can lead to further issues if left unaddressed.
IU Health is home to the largest group of liver doctors in Indiana, as well as the only hospitals in Indiana that provide tertiary liver care, including liver transplant.
The liver is a vital organ in filtering blood, metabolizing toxins, aiding in digestion, and several other functions.
Liver diseases, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis. There is no cure for cirrhosis, but we have many treatment options that can help lead you to a more comfortable and healthy life.
If liver diseases lead to cirrhosis and are still left unmanaged, there are fatal risks including liver failure and liver cancer.
Symptoms of Liver Diseases
Symptoms of liver diseases can include:
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pale, bloody, or dark stool
- Fatigue and weakness
- Confusion and mental fog
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen
- Skin irritation
- GI bleeds
Causes of Liver Diseases
Liver diseases can be caused by many things including:
- Alcohol use
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Viruses (hepatitis A, B, C)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Genetic conditions such as excessive iron in the blood
- Misuse of medications such as Tylenol or herbal medicines
- Inflammation of the bile ducts
Any of these factors can cause inflammation in the liver and can lead to scarring in the liver. Severe scarring is what we refer to as cirrhosis. With cirrhosis, your liver must work harder to perform its vital functions and doesn’t always do its full job. This is what causes many of the symptoms associated with liver disease.
Understanding Liver Diseases
The liver is a vital organ in filtering blood, metabolizing toxins, aiding in digestion, and several other functions.
Liver diseases, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis. There is no cure for cirrhosis, but we have many treatment options that can help lead you to a more comfortable and healthy life.
If liver diseases lead to cirrhosis and are still left unmanaged, there are fatal risks including liver failure and liver cancer.
Symptoms of Liver Diseases
Symptoms of liver diseases can include:
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pale, bloody, or dark stool
- Fatigue and weakness
- Confusion and mental fog
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen
- Skin irritation
- GI bleeds
Causes of Liver Diseases
Liver diseases can be caused by many things including:
- Alcohol use
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Viruses (hepatitis A, B, C)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Genetic conditions such as excessive iron in the blood
- Misuse of medications such as Tylenol or herbal medicines
- Inflammation of the bile ducts
Any of these factors can cause inflammation in the liver and can lead to scarring in the liver. Severe scarring is what we refer to as cirrhosis. With cirrhosis, your liver must work harder to perform its vital functions and doesn’t always do its full job. This is what causes many of the symptoms associated with liver disease.
Your doctor will do a thorough overview of your history and a series of test that may include the following:
- Physical exam to look for signs of cirrhosis such as red palms, spiderlike veins on your face or body, and fluid build-up in your abdomen
- Lab test that may include liver enzymes and kidney function
- Screening for viral hepatitis through blood test
- A Fibroscan which is a 10-minute scan of your liver and spleen that is done in the office
- An ultrasound, CT, or MRI which can provide a closer look at your liver
- An EGD which is a scope of your esophagus or “food pipe”
- A liver biopsy which is when a sample of your liver is tested for disease
Diagnosis of Liver Diseases
Your doctor will do a thorough overview of your history and a series of test that may include the following:
- Physical exam to look for signs of cirrhosis such as red palms, spiderlike veins on your face or body, and fluid build-up in your abdomen
- Lab test that may include liver enzymes and kidney function
- Screening for viral hepatitis through blood test
- A Fibroscan which is a 10-minute scan of your liver and spleen that is done in the office
- An ultrasound, CT, or MRI which can provide a closer look at your liver
- An EGD which is a scope of your esophagus or “food pipe”
- A liver biopsy which is when a sample of your liver is tested for disease
Liver diseases can manifest in many different forms and each person is different. IU Health providers develop individualized treatment plans based on your specific case. While not all liver diseases have a cure, our providers will do their best to bring you back to your typical daily living.
We often take a multidisciplinary approach connecting you to the services you need which may include the following:
- Radiology
- Nutrition
- Medical oncology and radiation (in cases of liver cancer)
- Addiction and recovery services (in cases of alcohol or substance use induced liver injury)
- Transplant specialists
- Palliative services
Treatment options for liver diseases include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Stopping alcohol or substance use
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Medications
- Antiviral drugs can be used to treat hepatitis A, B, and C
- Diuretics are sometimes used to treat swelling (fluid retention) in the abdomen
- Laxatives are sometimes used to flush out toxins in your body that the liver is failing to filter
- Procedures
- A paracentesis is a procedure that draws out excess liquids that attribute to the swelling in the abdomen
- A shunt (TIPS) is sometimes placed in the liver to help manage fluid retention and GI bleeding
- Sometimes liver transplant is an option
Our team is in close partnership with the IU School of Medicine, meaning new clinical trials and treatment options are always becoming available to our patients.
Treatment
Liver diseases can manifest in many different forms and each person is different. IU Health providers develop individualized treatment plans based on your specific case. While not all liver diseases have a cure, our providers will do their best to bring you back to your typical daily living.
We often take a multidisciplinary approach connecting you to the services you need which may include the following:
- Radiology
- Nutrition
- Medical oncology and radiation (in cases of liver cancer)
- Addiction and recovery services (in cases of alcohol or substance use induced liver injury)
- Transplant specialists
- Palliative services
Treatment options for liver diseases include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Stopping alcohol or substance use
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Medications
- Antiviral drugs can be used to treat hepatitis A, B, and C
- Diuretics are sometimes used to treat swelling (fluid retention) in the abdomen
- Laxatives are sometimes used to flush out toxins in your body that the liver is failing to filter
- Procedures
- A paracentesis is a procedure that draws out excess liquids that attribute to the swelling in the abdomen
- A shunt (TIPS) is sometimes placed in the liver to help manage fluid retention and GI bleeding
- Sometimes liver transplant is an option
Our team is in close partnership with the IU School of Medicine, meaning new clinical trials and treatment options are always becoming available to our patients.
Expert Hepatology Care for Liver Disease
At IU Health, our liver specialists are committed to maintaining our role as the primary destination in Indiana that treats and cares for liver disease patients. Aiding in this pursuit, we have a nurse navigator with our department that guides and assists patients throughout every step of their care.
For outside providers with complex or urgent liver patients, they may refer them directly to us through our nurse navigator (HepatologyDestinationServices@iuhealth.org).
Meet Our Liver Disease Specialists