Jaundice and other possible signs & Testing beyond symptoms

Jaundice and other possible signs

Some liver diseases produce no symptoms. Possible findings include abdominal or leg swelling, easy bruising, changes in urine or stool color, and jaundice: yellow skin and eyes. These signs draw attention to a problem but do not identify one particular cause. Absence of jaundice does not rule out disease. Symptoms and their timing provide information that must be considered alongside tests and the person’s history.

Testing beyond symptoms

Liver function tests and imaging can help identify damage or support diagnosis. They provide evidence when symptoms are few or absent. Because causes include infections, exposures, inherited disorders, and cancer, testing is interpreted with context. A result does not automatically reveal one disease or make history irrelevant. Evaluation combines different evidence about the organ and helps distinguish liver damage from the explanation for why it occurred.

Key concepts

Digestion, energy storage, and toxin removal

The liver is the largest organ inside the body and helps digest food, store energy, and remove toxins.

Multiple causes of liver disease

Viruses including hepatitis A, B, and C can cause liver disease.

Jaundice and other possible signs

Some liver diseases produce no symptoms.

Testing beyond symptoms

Liver function tests and imaging can help identify damage or support diagnosis.

References

• MedlinePlus en español — The Liver: Functions and Disease