Diseases » PFIC » Introduction

PFIC

PFIC: Introduction

PFIC: A rare inherited condition where bile is unable to drain from the liver where it builds up and causes progressive liver damage. End-stage liver disease usually occurs before adulthood. There are three different subtypes of the disorder, each with a different genetic origin of the defect. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PFIC is available below.

Symptoms of PFIC

• Punctate corneal dystrophy
• Epistaxis
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• High blood level of alkaline phosphatase
• Low blood cholesterol
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 29 symptoms of PFIC

Treatments for PFIC

• Dietary management - Diet should be high in carbohydrates and protein. Supplementation of fat soluble vitamins is necessary
• Medical treatment
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid - may be tried but most forms of the disease do not respond to medical treatment
• Surgical treatment
  • Diversion of bile salts from the enterohepatic circulation - cutaneous diversion, ileal diversion. May result in resolution of liver disease in most patients
• more treatments...»

Read more about treatments for PFIC

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to PFIC:

• Liver Health & Hepatitis: Home Testing
  • Home Hepatitis Tests
  • Home Liver Tests
• more...»

Wrongly Diagnosed with PFIC?

• Misdiagnosis of PFIC
• Failure to diagnose PFIC
• Undiagnosed: PFIC

PFIC: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to PFIC:

• Coma
• Primary liver cancer
• more complications...»

Causes of PFIC

Read more about causes of PFIC.

Misdiagnosis and PFIC

Chronic liver disease often undiagnosed: One study reported that 50% of patients with a chronic liver disease remain undiagnosed by their primary physician. The reasons are...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and PFIC

PFIC: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Liver Health Specialists (Hepatology):
  • Transplant Hepatology (Liver Transplant Specialist)
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
• Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

PFIC: Animations

More PFIC animations & videos

Statistics for PFIC

• Medical statistics for PFIC
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for PFIC
• Death and Mortality statistics for PFIC
• Society statistics for PFIC

PFIC: Broader Related Topics

• Genetic conditions
• Biliary conditions
• Liver conditions
• more types...»

Types of PFIC

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about PFIC, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Definitions of PFIC:

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list PFIC as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

 » Next page: What is PFIC?

Medical Tools & Articles:

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• Misdiagnosis Center
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Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

   

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