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Get StartedRisk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may increase your risk of liver problems include:
- A job that exposes you to other people's blood and body fluids
- Blood transfusion before 1992
- Body piercings
- Certain herbs and supplements
- Certain prescription medications
- Diabetes
- Heavy alcohol use
- High levels of triglycerides in your blood
- Injecting drugs using shared needles
- Obesity
- Tattoos
- Unprotected sex
- Working with chemicals or toxins without following safety precautions
References
- Your liver. Your life. What everybody needs to know about liver wellness. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Viral hepatitis: A through E and beyond. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.nddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/viralhepatitis/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Cirrhosis of the liver. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.nddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- It's dangerous to ignore your liver. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/risk.html. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Liver biopsy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.hddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/liverbiopy/index.htm. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Know your ALT. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/KnowYourALT.aspx. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Ahmed A, et al. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115182046-2/0/1389/501.html?tocnode=51641312&fromURL=501.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50075-5_3205. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Seeff LB. Herbal hepatotoxicity. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2007;11:577.