Please answer these question

[tested147]

Just few question which i would really appricated if someone can answer for me, sorry for my lack on knoledge in this subject.

How do you get Autimune Hep??

IS there a cure??

What are main symptoms of it??

Is it lifethrentening???

Im asking these because  i have a elivated LFT and and it feels like my inmune system aint functioning well.

looking forward to your answers. and thanks in advance

[Debbie22]

Hi,
I just got my diagnosis for AIH by this past July. I am not a doctor but here are some answers to your questions:

Q: How do I get Autoimmune Hepatitis?
A: Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition in which the person's own immune systems attacks the liver causing inflammation and liver cell death. The condition is chronic and progressive. Although the disease is chronic, many patients with autoimmune hepatitis present acutely ill with jaundice, fever and sometimes symptoms of severe hepatic dysfunction, a picture that resembles acute hepatitis.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology. Some cases of drug-induced liver disease have an immune-mediated basis.  A number of drugs, including methyldopa, nitrofurantoin, and minocycline, can produce an illness with the clinical features of autoimmune hepatitis. Although most cases improve when the drug is stopped, chronic cases of autoimmune hepatitis may be seen, even after drug withdrawal

     So, you don't "get" autoimmune hepatitis from anyone, your own body causes you to develop which means AIH IT IS NOT A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE!

Q: Is there a CURE?
     As far as I know, the answer is no. There is a treatment and you can go into remission.
     Untreated autoimmune hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and eventually to liver failure. When diagnosed and treated early, however, autoimmune hepatitis often can be controlled with drugs that suppress the immune system. Yet these medications, which often must be taken long term, carry a number of risks and aren't always effective. A liver transplant may be an option when autoimmune hepatitis doesn't respond to drug treatments or in cases of advanced liver disease.

Q: What are main symptoms of it??
A: Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from minor to severe and may come on suddenly or develop over time. Some people have few, if any, problems in the early stages of the disease, whereas others experience signs and symptoms that may include:

■Anemia
■Fatigue
■Abdominal discomfort
■Joint aches (arthralgias)
■Itching (pruritus)
■Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
■An enlarged liver
■Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
■Nausea and vomiting
■Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
■Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
■Mental confusion

It's common for people with autoimmune hepatitis to have other autoimmune disorders, such as:

■Hemolytic anemia, which occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them
■Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
■Inflammation of the colon (ulcerative colitis)
■Diabetes
■Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren's syndrome)
■Celiac sprue, a condition that damages the small intestine and leads to an inability to absorb certain nutrients

Q: Is it lifethrentening???
A: It can be if lived untreated. According to most wesites: Without therapy, most patients die within 10 years of disease onset. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunesupresants has been shown to improve the chances for survival significantly. Indeed, the life expectancy of patients in clinical remission is similar to that of the general population.

Again, I am not a doctor but you can research on internet about it and get good info about it.

Talk to your doctor because in order to diagnose correctly AIH he will have to order several tests and also look for some "benchmarks" so it can be tricky!

I hope it helps!
Best Wishes!