In autoimmune hepatitis, the immune system mistakenly identifies liver tissue as foreign and attacks it. The condition can be mild or severe and may lead to cirrhosis if not treated. It often affects people with other autoimmune conditions and can occur at any age. Long-term treatment with immune-suppressing medicines can usually control inflammation and protect liver function.
Symptoms range from none or mild fatigue to more obvious signs like jaundice or abdominal discomfort. Some people are diagnosed only after routine blood tests show abnormal liver enzymes.
Call the office for new or worsening fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis and notice a flare in symptoms or medication side effects.
Seek emergency care for severe jaundice, confusion, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or if you are acutely ill and suspect liver failure.
Evaluation includes blood tests looking for liver inflammation and characteristic autoimmune antibodies, imaging to exclude other causes, and often a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and assess stage.
Treatment aims to reduce the immune attack on the liver using medications such as steroids and other immune-suppressing drugs. Ongoing monitoring is needed to adjust therapy and watch for side effects or progression.
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