Signs of liver disease
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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