Autoimmune Hepatitis: When Your Immune System Attacks Your Liver

By Dr. Chetan Kalal – Liver & Transplant Specialist, Mumbai

🧬 What Is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver condition in which the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, causing inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and eventually cirrhosis if left untreated.

Unlike liver diseases caused by alcohol, viruses, or fatty liver, autoimmune hepatitis is not caused by lifestyle factors—it is a misfiring of the immune system. It can affect people of any age, though it’s more common in women.

🔍 Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed

Autoimmune hepatitis is easily missed in the early stages because it may present with vague or no symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue

• Mild abdominal discomfort

• Joint pain

• Jaundice (yellow eyes/skin)

• Unexplained liver enzyme elevation (in blood tests)

Often misattributed to stress or general fatigue, this silent liver disease can progress without warning—which is why early detection is critical.

🧪 How Is Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves:

• Liver Function Tests (LFTs) – to detect inflammation

• Autoantibody Tests – ANA, SMA, LKM-1 (markers of autoimmunity)

• IgG Levels – often elevated in AIH

• Liver Biopsy – confirms inflammation and assesses damage

• Imaging – like FibroScan to evaluate liver stiffness

🔬 Who Is At Risk?

• Women (especially ages 15–40)

• People with other autoimmune diseases (thyroid, celiac, lupus)

• Those with a family history of autoimmune conditions

• Certain viral triggers or medications may play a role

🩺 Treatment: Can It Be Cured?

While AIH cannot be cured, it can be well controlled with:

✅ Medications:

• Corticosteroids (like prednisone) to reduce inflammation

• Azathioprine or other immunosuppressants to maintain remission

Most patients go into long-term remission with medication and regular follow-up.

✅ Lifestyle Support:

• Balanced, liver-friendly diet

• Vaccination against Hepatitis A and B

• Avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications

• Stress management, as stress may worsen autoimmune flares

❗ What Happens If Left Untreated?

Untreated autoimmune hepatitis can lead to:

• Cirrhosis

• Liver failure

• Need for liver transplantation

This is why regular follow-up with a liver specialist and ongoing treatment are key.

👩‍⚕️ Real Talk from Dr. Chetan Kalal

“Autoimmune hepatitis isn’t your fault. It’s your immune system misreading signals. But with the right diagnosis, right medications, and right lifestyle, you can live a full, healthy life.”

We offer personalized autoimmune liver care at our Mumbai center, including:

• Advanced diagnostics

• Immunosuppressive therapy

• FibroScan & MR Elastography

• Nutrition and mental wellness support

📌 Keywords:

• Autoimmune hepatitis symptoms

• Autoimmune liver disease treatment in Mumbai

• Best liver doctor in India

• Chronic liver inflammation causes

• Immunosuppressive therapy for liver disease

• AIH diet and lifestyle

• Female liver disease

• Non-viral hepatitis

• FibroScan for liver fibrosis

• Autoimmune hepatitis remission