What is autoimmune hepatitis?
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic liver disease that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells. This causes inflammation in the liver, which can lead to scarring over time if left untreated.

With early diagnosis and treatment, most people can successfully manage autoimmune hepatitis and prevent or slow liver damage.

Types of autoimmune hepatitis
There are two main types of autoimmune hepatitis:

  • Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis – The most common form, affecting people of all ages. It is more common in women and is often associated with other autoimmune conditions.
  • Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis – Less common and most often diagnosed in children, although it can also occur in adults.

What causes autoimmune hepatitis?
The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is unknown. It is believed to develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause the immune system to attack the liver.

Many people with autoimmune hepatitis also have another autoimmune condition, such as:

Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people have no symptoms when they are first diagnosed.

Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Itchy skin
  • Joint pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Pale or gray-colored stools
  • Enlarged liver
  • Spider angiomas (small, spider-like blood vessels on the skin)

If left untreated, autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.

Diagnosing autoimmune hepatitis
Your provider will review your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Because there is no single test that confirms autoimmune hepatitis, several tests are typically used to make the diagnosis.

Testing may include:

  • Blood tests, including liver function tests, autoantibody testing, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels
  • Liver biopsy
  • Liver ultrasound
  • CT scan or MRI
  • Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
  • FibroScan®

Your provider will also rule out other causes of liver disease, including viral hepatitis and medication-related liver injury.

Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis
Treatment is designed to reduce inflammation, prevent liver damage, and help the disease go into remission.

Treatment options may include:

  • Corticosteroids
  • Immunosuppressant medications

Most people respond well to treatment and can achieve remission, although treatment often needs to continue long-term to keep the disease under control.

Do not stop taking your medications unless instructed by your healthcare provider, as symptoms and liver inflammation can return if treatment is stopped too soon.

When to seek care
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • New or worsening symptoms

Seek medical care promptly if you develop:

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Swelling of the abdomen
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Easy bruising or bleeding

Contact us
If you have questions about autoimmune hepatitis or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 612-871-1145 or schedule an appointment online.