Liver and Hormone Imbalances - What's the Deal?

• Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion
• Production of certain proteins for blood plasma
• Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
• Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage and to balance and make glucose as needed 
• Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins
• Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content
• Storage of iron
• Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea
• Clearance of drugs and other poisonous substances from the blood
• Regulation of blood clotting
• Resistance of infection by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream
• Clearance of bilirubin, also from red blood cells

Common Liver Diseases and Disorders

• Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. 
• Cirrhosis: Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis.
• Liver cancer: The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis.
• Liver failure: Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.
• Ascites: As cirrhosis develops, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy.
• Gallstones: If a gallstone becomes stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.
• Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing other health problems.

The Liver and Hormonal Imbalance