Recognizing Jaundice: Signs That Your Liver Isn’t Delivering

Your liver helps rid your body of natural waste products and other harmful substances. If something interferes with this process, toxic compounds can build up in your body.

Jaundice happens when you have too much of a compound called bilirubin. Bilirubin forms when your body breaks down old or damaged red blood cells. The most common symptom is a yellow tint to your skin, the whites of your eyes, or the inside of your mouth. You may also have dark urine or pale stools.

Babies become jaundiced when their livers can’t break down all the bilirubin that is produced the first few days after birth. Jaundice in babies usually goes away on its own in a week or two. If it goes on longer than this, they should be evaluated by a doctor.

In adults, many health conditions can lead to jaundice. One of the more common causes is when bile ducts get blocked. Bile ducts drain bilirubin from the liver into the intestines. They can get blocked by hard, pebble-like pieces of material that form in the gallbladder, called gallstones. Gallstones are usually made of bilirubin or cholesterol (a waxy, fat-like substance). Cancers of the bile duct or pancreas can also cause a blockage.

Jaundice can also be a sign of liver disease. Some liver diseases are caused by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. Others are caused by too much fat buildup in the liver.

Misusing certain medications, like acetaminophen, can damage the liver and lead to jaundice. So can hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. Viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis. But the condition can be caused by other things, like toxins and certain diseases.

If a liver disease lasts for only a short time, the liver may be able to heal. But if the disease becomes chronic, meaning it lasts for a long time, it can lead to scarring of the liver. This scarring is called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can impair the liver’s ability to function and may eventually lead to liver failure.

Not everyone who has jaundice has a serious health condition. Some people are born with a condition called Gilbert syndrome. This condition slows the liver’s ability to break down bilirubin. It can lead to short periods of high bilirubin levels and, sometimes, jaundice. But it doesn’t lead to further complications and doesn’t need special treatment.

If you have any symptoms of jaundice, see a health care provider right away. “Your provider will need to do liver tests to figure out what type of jaundice it is,” says Dr. David Goldberg, a liver specialist at the University of Miami Health System.

Treatment depends on the cause. Gallstones are most commonly treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder. Liver damage that’s caused by medications will often heal once you stop taking the medication. Antiviral drugs can treat hepatitis virus infections. People with chronic liver disease should limit alcohol use to prevent further liver damage.

Goldberg is one of several NIH-funded researchers studying whether cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can slow or prevent the progression of liver disease.

Take Care of Your Liver

• Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
• Take steps to prevent hepatitis infections. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Always wash your hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before and after handling or preparing food. 
• Limit alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol harms the liver.
• Quit smoking. You can get free help quitting at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or smokefree.gov.
• Take medications only as directed.
• Tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.