BILIARY CIRRHOSIS, PRIMARY

SYMPTOMS

Most people with Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary don’t have symptoms when identified, and those who do usually have a worse prognosis.

The following are typical early symptoms:

• Skin itchiness
• Fatigue

The following are possible later indications and symptoms:

• Joint, muscle, and bone pain
• A fluid buildup in the belly caused by liver failure (ascites)
• Jaundice
• Upper right abdominal pain
• Osteoporosis
• Diarrhea, maybe with greasy stools (steatorrhea)
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Swelling of the spleen (splenomegaly)
• Swollen ankles and feet (edema)
• Skin fatty deposits that occur on the eyelids, in the creases of the knees, soles, palms, or elbows, or occur around the eyes
• Hyperpigmentation (skin darkening that is not caused by sun exposure)
• High cholesterol
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

DIAGNOSIS

In addition to doing a physical exam, your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history as well as the medical history of your family.

Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary may be diagnosed using the following tests and procedures.

Blood tests:

• Cholesterol test
• Antibody tests for autoimmune disease signs
• Liver tests

Imaging tests may not be required. They may, however, assist your doctor in confirming a diagnosis or ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms. Imaging examinations of the bile ducts and liver may include:

• FibroScan
• Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
• Ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

In addition, a liver biopsy is a process that involves the removal of a tiny sample of liver tissue and its examination in a laboratory to confirm or identify the extent of the disease.

TREATMENT

Although there’s no cure for Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary, medications are offered to help slow the disease’s progression and prevent complications. Among the options are:

• Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva)
• Budesonide
• Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)
• Liver transplant
• Fibrates (Tricor)

Treating the Symptoms

Your primary care physician may suggest therapies to alleviate the discomfort caused by Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary, and regulate the signs and symptoms of the condition.