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Signs of liver disease

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The importance of the liver in homeostasis is reflected in the diversity of signs which accompany liver disease.

Jaundice is a common sign in liver disease. Raised bilirubin levels are clinically detectable when the concentration exceeds 40 micromol/l.

Various signs are caused by the reduced capacity of the liver to metabolize oestrogens, these include:

  • spider naevi
  • gynaecomastia
  • palmar erythema
  • loss of body hair

Other signs develop with chronic liver dysfunction:

  • finger clubbing
  • leuconychia
  • bruising and bleeding
  • xanthelasmata
  • hepatomegaly
  • ascites
  • splenomegaly
  • caput medusae
  • weight loss
  • hepatic encephalopathy
  • Dupuytren's contracture may be a sign of alcoholic liver disease

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