What're the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?
The most common symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis are itchy skin and fatigue. Other symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), cholesterol deposits on the skin, fluid retention, and dry eyes or mouth. Some people with
primary biliary cirrhosis also have osteoporosis, arthritis, and thyroid problems.
Ninety percent of patients found to have this disease are women between the ages of 35 and 60. The first sign of it may be an abnormal blood test on routine examination. Itching is a common early symptom, caused by a buildup of bile in the skin. Fatigue is also common in the early stages of the disease. Later symptoms include jaundice from the accumulation of bile and specific nutritional deficiencies--bruising from vitamin K deficiency, bone pain from vitamin D deficiency, night blindness from vitamin A deficiency, and skin rashes, possibly from vitamin E or essential fatty acid deficiency. All these vitamin problems are related to the absence of bile to assist in the absorption of nutrients from the intestines.
People with PBC commonly have raised cholesterol levels, which may show up as white plaques around the eyes (called xanthomata). But most patients do not need treatment to reduce their cholesterol as it is often not the form linked to heart attacks. Occasionally patients have problems absorbing certain vitamins from their diet (particularly vitamin A and D). This may be linked with thinning of the bones due to osteoporosis or osteomalacia. |
