Does liver cirrhosis cause jaundice?

Cirrhosis is long-term scarring of the liver. As healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, the liver may process bilirubin less effectively. Bile flow can also become impaired. Bilirubin then builds up, causing yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin. Itching, dark urine and pale stools may accompany the change.

Jaundice can signal that cirrhosis is affecting liver function, but it can also arise from hepatitis, gallstones, medicines or other problems. Its cause and significance cannot be judged from skin colour alone. A medical assessment helps separate these possibilities and review how the liver is working.

Contact your liver clinician or primary-care service about new or worsening yellowing. Take an up-to-date list of medicines and supplements, and do not change prescribed treatment without advice. Avoid alcohol if you have cirrhosis, and ask your clinician for a safe plan if stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal. Keep track of swelling, sleepiness, appetite and urine or stool changes.

Get urgent help for jaundice with confusion, unusual sleepiness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, repeated vomiting or rapidly worsening abdominal swelling. These may indicate a complication of liver disease or another condition needing immediate treatment. Do not drive yourself if you are confused, faint or severely unwell.

What might have triggered this change in jaundice? Do I need liver blood tests or imaging? Are any of my medicines affecting the liver? Which changes in swelling, alertness or bleeding should prompt emergency care?