Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Image of liver anatomy
Liver anatomy

Signs and symptoms of liver problems include:

  • Discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish
  • Abdominal pain and swelling
  • Itchy skin that doesn't seem to go away
  • Dark urine color
  • Pale stool color
  • Bloody or tar-colored stool
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. Seek immediate medical attention if you have abdominal pain that is so severe that you can't stay still.

References
  1. Your liver. Your life. What everybody needs to know about liver wellness. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  2. Viral hepatitis: A through E and beyond. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.nddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/viralhepatitis/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  3. Cirrhosis of the liver. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.nddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  4. It's dangerous to ignore your liver. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/risk.html. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  5. Liver biopsy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.hddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/liverbiopy/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  6. Know your ALT. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/KnowYourALT.aspx. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  7. Ahmed A, et al. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115182046-2/0/1389/501.html?tocnode=51641312&fromURL=501.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50075-5_3205. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
  8. Seeff LB. Herbal hepatotoxicity. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2007;11:577.

DS01133

April 18, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger