9 Signs Your Liver Might Be in Trouble

If any (or all) of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to visit your doctor.

close up of yellowed eye
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Your eyes turn yellow

โ€œYellow eyes are a sign your liver isnโ€™t doing very well and is probably the most specific sign of liver disease,โ€ says KV Narayanan Menon, MD, medical director of liver transplantation at Cleveland Clinic. A yellow colored substance called bilirubin is usually broken down by the liver so it can be removed from the body, but when the liver is struggling it can cause bilirubin to build up, leading to yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin known as jaundice. Jaundice can be caused by a number of health issues, including a viral infection, a blocked bile duct (usually due to a gallstone), a reaction to a toxic drug or medicine, liver disease, or conditions that cause an excessive breakdown of red blood cells. (Don’t miss these 10 signs of disease that are written all over your face.)

woman clutching her stomach
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Your belly fills with fluid

If your belly suddenly balloons and doesnโ€™t stop, it could be more than ordinary bloating. โ€œIncreased pressure within the blood vessels around the liver can lead to fluid buildup in the abdomen,โ€ says Dr. Menon. Itโ€™s important to see a doctor, who will be able to tell you if youโ€™re bloated from gas, food, or fluid. Here are the 13 surprising ways you’re hurting your liver without even knowing.

syringe and stethoscope over hepatitis info
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You have hepatitis A, B, or C

When certain viruses or parasites infect the liver, it can cause inflammation and reduced liver function. The most common types of liver infection are the hepatitis viruses; A is spread by coming into contact with a contaminated personโ€™s feces or by ingesting compromised food and drink, while B and C are most commonly transmitted through blood, sex, or contact with other bodily fluids. Hepatitis A infections tend to go away on their own, while hepatitis B and C tend to be chronic conditions. โ€œThere are some really good treatments out there if you have hepatitis C, so people should get tested,โ€ says Dr. Menon. Talk to your doctor about what other steps you can take to keep your liver as healthy as possible. Make sure you know theย silent signs of liver cancer you should never ignore.

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You canโ€™t stop itching

Believe it or not, a sick liver can cause itching all over your body. โ€œWe donโ€™t know for sure, but itโ€™s thought to be related to bile salt,โ€ says Dr. Menon. Bile is a digestive substance produced by the liver, but in people with primary biliary cirrhosis (an autoimmune liver disease that causes the bile duct to collapse), that bile can accumulate and cause noticeable symptoms, like itching. Aside from liver disease, here areย 10 more things your itchy skin can reveal about your health.

woman leaning forward and rubbing her eyes
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Youโ€™re constantly tired

Persistent fatigue is sometimes a sign that somethingโ€™s not right in your body. While it can have many causes, many of them relatively harmless (like not enough sleep), liver disease can also cause fatigue. A 2018 study published in the journal Liver International found an association between fatigue in chronic liver disease and depression and anxiety, so if it’s persistent, it’s an important symptom to get in check with the help of your doctor.

Youโ€™re a heavy drinker

Excessive, chronic alcohol use can do a real number on your liver over time, eventually leading to liver disease. The liver helps rid your body of chemicals and toxins, so consistently consuming high levels of alcohol means itโ€™s working overtime. (Watch out for these fatty liver symptoms that could lead to disease.)

close up of a heavy person's bulging button-up shirt
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Youโ€™re overweight

Being overweight or obese affects more than how you look in the mirror. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise, especially in people in their 40s and 50s, and basically means fat has built up within the organ, according to the Liver Foundation. Sometimes, this leads to cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver. The good news is, you can manage or change the factors that raise your risk of developing the fatty liver disease, such as obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

doctor writing at a desk next to a patient, stethoscope on the table
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You have family history of liver disease

โ€œA small class of liver diseases are hereditary, so if you think there have been family members who died of liver disease or liver cancer, bring it up to your doctor so they can look into it further,โ€ says Dr. Menon.

woman staring at a laptop computer and holding her temples
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Youโ€™re confused or forgetful

While a little forgetfulness isn’t uncommon, if you suddenly seem to misplace everything or feel easily confused and already know you have advanced liver disease, donโ€™t write it off as a harmless lapse.ย Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition that can occur when the liver is unable to properly remove toxins from the body and typically occurs in patients with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or hepatitis, reports the American Liver Foundation. It’s very rare. If you notice these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. (Beware of these silent signs that mean your body could be in big trouble.)

Sources
Medically reviewed by Russell H. Greenfield, MD, on November 12, 2019

Alyssa Jung
Alyssa Jung is a writer and editor with extensive experience creating health and wellness content that resonates with readers. She freelanced for local publications in Upstate New York and spent three years as a newspaper reporter before moving to New York City to pursue a career in magazines. She is currently Senior Associate Editor at Prevention magazine and a contributor to Prevention.com. Previously she worked at Reader's Digest as an editor, writer, and health fact checker.