Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
Autoimmune liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease. Autoimmune hepatitis is when the immune system attacks the liver cells causing inflammation, cirrhosis and liver damage.
What is autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)?
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an uncommon but serious chronic condition where your body's immune system attacks the liver cells, causing inflammation of the liver. If left untreated, it can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and, eventually, liver failure and liver cancer. If you are concerned you may have AIH, we can help test for, diagnose and manage it.
Need to know
It's common to have no symptoms at the early stage. When they occur, symptoms are often non-specific, so your consultant may not immediately attribute them to liver disease. The most common symptoms are:
- fatigue
- joint or muscle pain
- low appetite
- nausea
- itching (pruritus)
- skin rash
- stomach pain or bloating
- diarrhoea
- excessive hair growth (usually in women)
- absent periods or menstruation cycle (amenorrhoea)
More severe symptoms may include:
- build-up of fluid in the legs, feet and ankles (oedema) or the abdomen (ascites)
- confusion (hepatic encephalopathy)
- jaundice
- bruising
- abnormal blood vessels on the skin
- dark urine
- pale, fatty floating stools
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and may recommend tests to aid diagnosis. Diagnosis is made through a combination of an assessment of your medical history, a physical examination, and certain diagnostic tests, which may include:
- Blood tests to quantify immunoglobulins (proteins produced by your immune cells) and autoantibodies (proteins which are markers of this condition).
- Liver function tests (LFT). Blood tests that quantify alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), indicators of liver inflammation.
- A liver biopsy may be required, where a tiny piece of your liver is taken to determine the cause of the liver disease.
- Transient elastography which scans for liver fibrosis (scarring) levels.
Once you have been diagnosed with AIH, treatment is almost always needed. The type of treatment used is immunosuppression, which reduces how active your immune system is, in order to control the severity of liver inflammation.
Reducing liver inflammation can improve your symptoms, reduce cirrhosis and help prevent liver failure over the longer term.
Immunosuppression can be achieved by using a combination of medications. Your consultant will discuss your treatment options and help to determine the best approach for you.
Treatment for AIH typically includes the use of corticosteroids, mainly prednisolone, and the immunosuppressant azathioprine.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.