Resource Type: PDF
Liver Tests (PDF)
Liver tests (LTs) are blood tests used to assess the general state of the liver or biliary system. Few of these tests actually measure how well the liver or biliary system is functioning, but rather reflect the presence of damage or inflammation.
Wilson Disease
Wilson disease is a hereditary disease in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body, mainly in the liver. The disease affects approximately one in every 30,000 Canadians. Small amounts of copper are essential to good health. One of the liver’s jobs is to maintain the balance of copper […]
Toxic Hepatitis
Toxic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by chemicals. Many chemicals that are intentionally or unintentionally inhaled or consumed can have toxic effects on the liver. Among these chemicals are drugs, industrial solvents and pollutants. Virtually every drug imaginable has at one time or another been indicated as […]
Tyrosinemia
Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, also called hepatorenal tyrosinemia, is a genetic disorder that affects the breakdown of an amino acid called tyrosine. It is associated with the development of severe liver disease in infants and also linked to the development of kidney disease and nerve problems in children. The disease […]
Liver Transplantation (PDF)
A liver transplant is a life-preserving operation that replaces a diseased and poorly functioning liver with either a whole or portion of a healthy donated liver. Liver transplantation has become a well-recognized treatment option for people with liver failure. In Canada, over 400 such operations are performed every year. Livers […]
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PDF)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a liver disease in which the bile ducts (small tubes through which bile flows from the liver to the gall bladder and intestines) progressively decrease in size due to inflammation and scarring. As a result, bile that is normally carried out of the liver accumulates […]
PBC – Living with your diagnosis
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a liver disease that affects mainly women over 40, and may develop into end-stage biliary cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue) without the right treatment. PBC will usually be diagnosed if your doctor finds that your bile flow is reduced or blocked (cholestasis), and your […]
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PDF)
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease. When a person has PBC, the immune system attacks the liver causing slow, progressive damage to the bile ducts (small tubes through which bile flows out of the liver). Bile is a yellow-green fluid produced […]