Cholestasis

Cholestasis is a condition where the flow of bile from your liver is reduced or blocked. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by your liver that helps break down fats and remove waste products from your body. When bile can't flow properly, it builds up in your liver and bloodstream, which can lead to various symptoms and health issues, as the body struggles to eliminate waste products and absorb nutrients. This condition can stem from problems either inside your liver (intrahepatic cholestasis) or outside the liver, in the bile ducts that transport bile to your intestine (extrahepatic cholestasis). Causes inside the liver can include certain medications, viral infections (like hepatitis), pregnancy-related issues, or specific liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Outside the liver, common causes involve blockages like gallstones in the bile ducts, tumors in the pancreas or bile ducts, or narrowing of the bile ducts. When your lab results show elevated levels of markers such as bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), or gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), it can be an indicator of cholestasis. These tests are crucial for your doctor to identify if there's a problem with bile flow and offer initial clues about whether the issue is originating inside or outside the liver. Further diagnostic tests, often including imaging studies, will likely be needed to pinpoint the exact cause and location of the cholestasis, allowing your healthcare team to develop the most appropriate treatment plan to restore bile flow and manage your symptoms effectively.