Autoimmune Hepatitis

What Is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune Hepatitis impacts the liver by causing inflammation when the immune system attacks the liver tissue. The liver works to filter waste, makes bile to digest food, and stores sugar for energy. The chronic inflammatory liver disease of autoimmune hepatitis continues to attack the liver cells leading to liver damage in many patients. In many cases, autoimmune hepatitis is linked to other types of autoimmune diseases. Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology provides diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis to patients in Colorado. We’re dedicated to helping patients find relief from digestive disorders and diseases.

What Causes Autoimmune Hepatitis?

There is no exact cause for autoimmune hepatitis. It is commonly found in females more than males. The autoimmune disease is often genetic and develops in patients with a history of infections like hepatitis A, B, or C. It is most likely to develop in patients with other autoimmune conditions, including:

• Diabetes
• Thyroiditis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Grave’s Disease
• Hemolytic anemia
• Celiac Disease

Symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis often don’t show in the early stages of the disease. The symptoms often vary from patient to patient. The most common autoimmune hepatitis symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Mild Flu-Like Symptoms
• Itching
• Abdominal Pain
• Joint Pain
• Enlarged Liver
• Spider Angiomas

Types of Autoimmune Hepatitis

There are two types of autoimmune hepatitis. We’ll determine which type you have during our diagnosis. The types of autoimmune hepatitis include:

Type 1 – Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the most common type. The disease can occur at any age and commonly affects people with other autoimmune disorders.

Type 2 – Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is most common in children, especially girls and young people. Patients with other autoimmune diseases may be more susceptible to Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosis

We can diagnose autoimmune hepatitis in a few ways. The most common ways to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis include:

• Blood tests
• Liver function tests
• Coagulation tests
• Electrolyte tests
• Autoimmune antibodies
• Liver biopsy

Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment 

Autoimmune hepatitis treatment is most successful when found in the early stages to enable disease control. The most common autoimmune hepatitis treatments include medicine like immune system suppressors and corticosteroids that help slow down the overactive immune system. Some cases of autoimmune hepatitis disappear without medication, but most patients experience chronic autoimmune hepatitis. The disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cause liver failure. If this is the case, the only treatment is a liver transplant.

Why Choose Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology?

Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology (RMG) is the largest GI practice in the Rocky Mountain Region. Since 1997, we’ve grown into multiple office locations, six state-of-the-art Endoscopy Centers, and a specialized pathology laboratory. We’re a physician-owned practice that accepts multiple insurance plans. Our team is committed to caring for patients with digestive tract diseases and disorders. We perform over 30,000 procedures each year in our Endoscopy Centers. RMG is affiliated with most of the Denver area hospitals.

Talk to Our Team About Autoimmune Diseases 

Our team understands any type of autoimmune disease can be scary. We stand beside you every step of the way, helping you understand the treatment and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. We will work with you to treat your autoimmune hepatitis with the highest quality treatments. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Answering Your Questions About Autoimmune Hepatitis

What Is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Your immune system is supposed to protect you from germs, but autoimmune hepatitis occurs when those defenses mistakenly attack your own liver cells. This chronic condition causes inflammation that can damage your liver tissue over time. Your liver performs vital tasks like filtering waste and helping you digest food. At Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology, we help you manage this condition to protect your long-term health. Our specialists focus on reducing inflammation to prevent permanent scarring and keep your body functioning correctly.

What Are the Common Symptoms?

Many people don’t notice signs during autoimmune hepatitis’s early stages, as symptoms can vary significantly between people. You might experience persistent fatigue, joint pain, or itchy skin. Some patients may notice a yellow tint to their skin or eyes, which doctors call jaundice. You could also feel mild flu-like discomfort or abdominal pain. If you notice these changes, our physicians can evaluate your health and find the source of your discomfort.

How Is Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Our doctors use several precise tests to identify this condition and rule out any other issues. We typically start with blood work to check your liver function and look for specific antibodies. In some cases, we may perform a liver biopsy to examine the tissue more closely. This process helps us identify autoimmune hepatitis symptoms and determine the severity of the inflammation.

Is Autoimmune Hepatitis Hereditary?

While doctors don’t know the exact cause, genetics frequently influence who develops this condition. You might have a higher risk if your family has a history of immune system disorders. The condition also often appears in people who already have conditions like Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, or thyroid issues. Certain viral infections can also trigger the immune response. Knowing your family’s medical history will help us provide the most accurate care for your specific circumstance.

Can Autoimmune Hepatitis Be Cured?

This condition is a chronic illness, but you can manage it successfully with the right medical plan. Most patients need ongoing care to keep the disease in remission and prevent liver failure. While the disease might disappear on its own in rare instances, staying consistent with your medical checkups is vital. We always focus on your long-term health so you can lead an active life. That means our team will monitor your progress regularly to catch any changes quickly.

What Treatments Are Available?

Our primary goal is to slow down your overactive immune system to prevent liver damage. Your autoimmune hepatitis treatment may involve medications like corticosteroids or immune system suppressors. The prescriptions should help control the inflammation and protect your liver cells from further attack.

If your condition progresses to liver failure, the only option is a liver transplant. In this case, we can coordinate with many hospitals in the Denver area. No matter the case, you can rest assured that you’ll receive high-quality care at our offices or one of our six state-of-the-art endoscopy centers.