8. Jaundice
Bilirubin is a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin in blood cells by bile secreted by the liver.
It’s a waste product that, if it accumulates in the blood, can lend a yellowish hue to skin and/or eyes.
Jaundice is fairly common in newborn babies and is readily relieved by exposure to light.
When it occurs in adults, however, jaundice most often indicates a problem with the liver or an obstructed bile duct. (13)
9. Lack of Appetite
This goes with stomach upset and fatigue: if you’re nauseous, chances are you don’t feel much like eating.The liver is an integral part of the digestive system. If it’s beginning to fail, hormones involved in hunger will be disrupted.
Furthermore, cytokines are proteins that act as messengers between cells. They become activated as part of an immune response.
If the liver has been damaged, you can bet there’s systemic inflammation caused by cytokines that are responding to a perceived threat. Cytokines in the gastrointestinal tract and changes to the stomach’s capacity can lead to loss of appetite (and potentially, eventual malnutrition). (14)
10. Stool Changes
Bilirubin is primarily responsible for the color of your stools. Changes to the color can be caused by many factors, one of which is inadequate bile or bile duct blockage; pale or gray feces is a known sign of this.
Certain medications can also result in pale stools. Bilirubin is what gives feces its normally brown color, so liver dysfunction can cause the change to color that’s symptomatic of cirrhosis, gallstones, hepatitis, tumors, and cysts. If this continues over an extended period, it’s time to talk to a professional. (15)