Although not talked about frequently, if you are diagnosed by a primary biliary cholangitis doctor as having this liver disease, this can lead to serious complications if not handled properly. 

What is Primary Biliary Cholangitis?

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is also called primary biliary cirrhosis and is a type of liver disease that occurs due to faulty bile ducts in the liver. 

How is PBC Diagnosed?

You will be surprised to learn that most cases of PBC are diagnosed accidentally as it is a medical condition that develops over some time. 

Many doctors eventually diagnose based on information from routine blood tests and even liver biopsies. 

Testing with FibroScan for PBC

Many doctors prefer to use FibroScan as opposed to a biopsy to test for this disease. 

FibroScan provides simple and accurate measurements of liver stiffness which can help to diagnose PBC without any incisions. 

What Causes PBC?

PBC may be caused by an overactive immune system. 

While the exact cause is still unknown, a patient may have a higher risk of developing PBC if they have a family history of it (especially an identical twin sibling, or parent has had it.)

Lastly, PBC is more commonly found in women than men. 

What are the Symptoms of PBC?

Below are some of the most common symptoms for patients with PBC:

· Dry mouth

· Fatigue

· Skin discoloration (darkening)

· Itchiness

· Pain in the stomach, joints or bones. 

· High cholesterol

· Weight loss

Find a Primary Biliary Cholangitis Doctor Today

At Bowie Internal Medicine we are a team of board-certified doctors who are well-equipped to meet your general medical needs. 

We offer all of the top treatments including FibroScan to better diagnose PBC patients.

If you are interested in our services and would like to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, please call us today at (301) 262 – 8188.