Tiredness and reduced appetite
Persistent fatigue, low energy, reduced appetite, nausea or unplanned weight loss may occur in liver disease, but they are not specific to the liver.
Liver Health Hub
Liver Disease Symptoms, Conditions and Care
A clear guide to liver disease symptoms, common liver conditions and the next steps for assessment. Liver.lk provides patient-friendly information and pathways to specialist care for liver disease in Sri Lanka.
This page provides general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Symptoms alone cannot confirm liver disease.
Start with clear information
Understand symptoms, conditions, tests and referral options.
Quick answer
What are common liver disease symptoms?
Possible symptoms include ongoing tiredness, reduced appetite, nausea, discomfort beneath the right ribs, itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, easy bruising and swelling of the abdomen or legs.
Important: these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions. A doctor may use your history, examination and appropriate tests to identify the cause.
Understand what you notice
Liver disease symptoms can appear in different ways
Some symptoms are general, while others are more closely associated with changes in how the liver or bile ducts are working. The pattern, duration and combination of symptoms matter more than any one symptom on its own.
Discomfort beneath the right ribs
Some people feel mild pain, pressure or discomfort in the upper right abdomen. This area also contains the gallbladder and nearby organs, so assessment is needed.
Yellow eyes or skin
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up in the body. It may be linked to liver disease, bile duct blockage, blood conditions or other causes.
Changes in urine or stool colour
Dark urine and unusually pale stools can occur when bile flow is affected. Temporary colour changes may also have other explanations.
Itching, bruising or bleeding
Ongoing itching, bruising more easily than usual or prolonged bleeding may occur when liver or bile-related conditions affect normal body processes.
Swelling or changes in alertness
Swelling of the abdomen, ankles or legs, or new confusion and unusual drowsiness, should be assessed promptly.
Can liver disease have no symptoms?
Yes. Several liver conditions may cause few or no noticeable symptoms early and may first be found through blood tests or imaging performed for another reason. People with risk factors or abnormal test results may need further assessment even when they feel well.
Choosing the next step
When should you seek medical advice?
A calm, timely assessment can help clarify whether symptoms are liver-related and whether any tests or specialist referral are needed.
Arrange an appointment
- Symptoms such as tiredness, nausea, itching or right-sided abdominal discomfort continue or recur.
- Your eyes or skin appear yellow, or you notice persistent dark urine or pale stools.
- A blood test, ultrasound or scan has shown a possible liver, gallbladder or bile duct problem.
- You have a known liver condition and need review, treatment planning or a second opinion.
Seek urgent care
- Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stools.
- New severe confusion, marked drowsiness or difficulty staying awake.
- Rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, severe abdominal pain, or jaundice with fever.
Liver health topics
Common liver and related conditions
Tap an icon below to see causes, symptoms, assessment and treatment for each condition.
Fatty Liver Disease
Fat buildup in the liver, now often described as steatotic liver disease. It is frequently associated with metabolic health.
Fatty liver symptoms and care →
Liver Cirrhosis
Long-term scarring that changes the structure of the liver and may affect how it works.
Cirrhosis symptoms and treatment →
Liver Cancer
Cancers that begin in the liver or spread to it from another part of the body require different treatment pathways.
Liver cancer information →
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver that may be caused by viruses, medicines, alcohol, autoimmune disease or other conditions.
Hepatitis symptoms and testing →
Liver Failure
A serious reduction in liver function that may develop quickly or occur after long-term liver disease.
Causes and symptoms →
Jaundice
Yellowing of the eyes or skin caused by increased bilirubin. It is a sign that needs assessment, not a diagnosis by itself.
Understand jaundice causes →
Gallbladder Conditions
Gallstones and inflammation can cause upper abdominal pain, nausea or problems with bile flow.
Gallstone symptoms →
Bile Duct Disorders
Narrowing, blockage, stones or inflammation in the bile ducts can affect drainage of bile from the liver.
Bile duct obstruction →
Pancreatic Disorders
Pancreatitis, cysts and pancreatic tumours may share symptoms with liver and bile duct conditions.
Pancreatitis symptoms →
Liver Cysts
Fluid-filled spaces in the liver are often found during imaging. Their significance depends on the type and features.
Liver cyst assessment →
Liver Abscess
A collection of infection within the liver that usually requires medical treatment and, in some cases, drainage.
Symptoms and treatment →
Benign Liver Diseases
Non-cancerous conditions include haemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia and some liver adenomas.
Benign liver conditions →
Causes and risk factors
What can affect liver health?
Liver disease is not one condition. It includes metabolic, infectious, alcohol-related, autoimmune, inherited, medicine-related and bile duct disorders. More than one factor can be present at the same time.
Read Liver Health Guides01
Metabolic health
Overweight, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other metabolic factors are associated with fatty or steatotic liver disease.
02
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis viruses can inflame the liver. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic, while prevention and treatment options depend on the virus.
03
Alcohol exposure
Alcohol affects people differently. The risk of liver injury depends on the amount, pattern of use, duration and individual health factors.
04
Medicines and supplements
Some prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, herbal products and supplements can cause liver injury in certain circumstances.
05
Autoimmune and inherited conditions
The immune system or inherited changes can affect liver cells, bile ducts or the way the body processes substances such as copper or iron.
06
Bile duct and structural problems
Gallstones, narrowing, inflammation, tumours or previous surgery can interfere with bile drainage and affect the liver.
Assessment
How is liver disease assessed?
There is no single test for every liver condition. The assessment is chosen according to your symptoms, medical history, examination and previous results.
Medical history and examination
Your doctor may ask about symptoms, medicines and supplements, alcohol use, metabolic conditions, family history, previous infections and earlier test results.
Blood tests
Blood tests may look for liver inflammation or injury, bile flow problems, infections, blood clotting and how well the liver is carrying out some of its functions.
Ultrasound and other imaging
Ultrasound, CT or MRI may be used to examine the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and blood vessels, depending on the clinical question.
Elastography when appropriate
Elastography is a non-invasive test that estimates liver stiffness and may help assess fibrosis or scarring.
Liver biopsy only when needed
A small tissue sample may be recommended when blood tests and imaging do not provide enough information, or when the type or severity of disease needs clarification.
Everyday liver health
Practical ways to support liver health
General health measures can support liver health, but people with a diagnosed condition should follow advice tailored to their individual needs.
Maintain a healthy weightGradual, sustainable weight management can support metabolic and liver health.
Choose a balanced dietFocus on varied whole foods and portions appropriate for your health goals.
Discuss alcohol honestlyYour doctor can advise whether limiting or avoiding alcohol is appropriate for you.
Use medicines safelyFollow dosing instructions and tell your doctor about all medicines, herbal products and supplements.
Keep follow-up appointmentsMonitoring can identify changes in blood tests, imaging or symptoms over time.
Liver disease assessment in Sri Lanka
Which specialist should you see?
Many liver conditions are managed medically by gastroenterologists or hepatologists. A hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon, also called an HPB surgeon, assesses liver, bile duct, gallbladder and pancreatic conditions that may require surgery, as well as liver transplantation.
Book a Specialist ConsultationGastroenterologist or hepatologistMedical diagnosis, monitoring and non-surgical treatment of many liver conditions.
Hepatobiliary or HPB surgeonSurgical assessment and treatment involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder.
Multidisciplinary teamCoordinated input from radiology, oncology, anaesthesia, pathology, intensive care and other specialties when required.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about liver disease symptoms and tests
What are common liver disease symptoms?
Possible symptoms include ongoing tiredness, reduced appetite, nausea, discomfort beneath the right ribs, itching, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, easy bruising and swelling of the abdomen or legs. These symptoms are not specific to liver disease and should be interpreted alongside an examination and tests.
Can liver disease be present without symptoms?
Yes. Some conditions cause few or no noticeable symptoms early and may first be identified through abnormal blood tests or an ultrasound or scan performed for another reason.
Where is liver pain usually felt?
Liver-related discomfort may be felt in the upper right abdomen beneath the ribs. Pain in this area may also come from the gallbladder, stomach, muscles, lungs or other organs, so location alone cannot identify the cause.
Do abnormal liver blood tests always mean liver disease?
No. Abnormal results can have several explanations and need to be interpreted in context. Your doctor may repeat tests, review medicines and health conditions, or arrange imaging or specialist assessment.
What tests are used to check liver health?
Depending on the situation, assessment may include liver blood tests, viral hepatitis tests, ultrasound, CT, MRI, elastography and, less commonly, liver biopsy.
When is an HPB surgeon involved?
An HPB surgeon may be involved when a condition affects the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder or pancreas and surgery may be part of treatment. This includes liver tumours, bile duct obstruction, pancreatic disease, gallbladder surgery and liver transplantation.
Do you need a liver health assessment?
Book a consultation for persistent liver disease symptoms, an abnormal test result, a diagnosed liver condition or a specialist surgical opinion at Kings Hospital Colombo.