“Autoimmune hepatitis is a treatable liver disease—early diagnosis and timely immunosuppressive ther

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own liver cells. This immune attack causes continuous liver inflammation, leading to liver damage over time.

If the disease is not diagnosed and treated early, it can progress to liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure. With proper treatment and regular follow-up, most patients can live a long, healthy, and active life.

The exact cause is not fully understood, but doctors believe it develops due to a combination of:

• Overactive immune system
   
• Genetic susceptibility
   
• Hormonal factors
   
• Certain viral infections or medications acting as triggers
   

Important to know:

• It is not caused by alcohol
   
• It is not a viral hepatitis
   
• It is not contagious
   

There are two main types:

Type 1 Autoimmune Hepatitis

• Most common type
   
• Can occur at any age
   
• Often associated with other autoimmune diseases
   

Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis

• Less common
   
• Usually affects children and young adults
   
• May be more aggressive
   

• Women (much more common than men)
   
• People with a family history of autoimmune disease
   
• Patients with other autoimmune conditions such as:
   
  • Thyroid disorders
     
  • Type 1 diabetes
     
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
     
  • Celiac disease
     

Symptoms can vary widely. Some patients have no symptoms initially, while others may develop sudden or gradual symptoms.

• Persistent fatigue and weakness
   
• Yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
   
• Right upper abdominal pain
   
• Loss of appetite
   
• Nausea or vomiting
   
• Dark-colored urine
   
• Pale stools
   
• Weight loss
   

• Joint pain
   
• Skin itching
   
• Fever
   
• Irregular menstrual cycles
   
• Easy bruising
   

In some cases, the disease is discovered only through abnormal liver blood tests.

Diagnosis requires a combination of tests:

• Blood tests
   
  • Liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
     
  • Autoimmune antibodies (ANA, SMA, LKM)
     
  • Serum IgG level
     
• Imaging tests
   
  • Ultrasound
     
  • CT scan or MRI (to assess liver condition)
     
• Liver biopsy
   
  • Confirms diagnosis
     
  • Shows degree of inflammation and fibrosis
     

 Early diagnosis is critical to prevent permanent liver damage.

Autoimmune hepatitis cannot be cured, but it can be effectively controlled.

• Steroid therapy to reduce inflammation
   
• Immunosuppressive medicines to control immune attack
   
• Gradual dose reduction once disease is controlled
   
• Long-term or lifelong treatment in many patients
   

 Never stop medicines without doctor’s advice — sudden stopping can cause severe relapse.

• Complete avoidance of alcohol
   
• Balanced diet with adequate protein
   
• Avoid oily, processed, and junk food
   
• Avoid unnecessary medicines and herbal products
   
• Maintain healthy body weight
   
• Regular exercise (as advised)
   
• Routine follow-up and blood tests
   

Untreated disease may lead to:

• Liver fibrosis (scarring)
   
• Cirrhosis
   
• Portal hypertension
   
• Liver failure
   
• Increased risk of liver cancer
   

 Early and continuous treatment significantly reduces these risks.