Enlarged Liver: What You Need to Know

Medically Reviewed By Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP

Enlarged liver is an increase in the size of the liver. The medical term is “hepatomegaly.” Enlarged liver is a sign of liver disease caused by an underlying condition. In early liver disease, a liver may become inflamed and swollen. When your body is attempting to heal an injury or fight an infection, inflammation occurs. It is a normal response. However, if inflammation in the liver continues, it can begin to damage your liver.

Common causes of enlarged liver include:

Most people cannot feel an enlarged liver, but you may notice some other symptoms. These symptoms can include gastrointestinal problems or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, depending on the underlying condition causing the enlarged liver.

Seek prompt medical care for:

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for the following symptoms:

Continue reading this article to learn more about enlarged liver symptoms, causes, and treatments.

What is enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)?

Illustration of an average sized liver compared to an enlarged liver
Medical Illustration by Bailey Mariner

Hepatomegaly, also called Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source enlarged liver, is swelling of the liver. In some cases, both the liver and spleen become enlarged together, a condition called hepatosplenomegaly. Enlarged liver may interfere with the liver’s ability to function properly. 

The liver is an organ in the digestive system that carries out many essential functions. These functions include:

  • producing bile to help break down food into energy
  • clearing the blood of bilirubin and toxins, including those from medication, alcohol, and drugs
  • controlling fat storage
  • controlling cholesterol production and release
  • fighting infections
  • producing blood plasma proteins

The liver and the immune system work together to produce inflammation to eliminate harmful substances in the liver.

Inflammation is part of an immune response. It is also important for the liver to repair damaged liver cells. When the inflammation continues, however, it can initiate early liver disease, inflame the liver, and cause it to enlarge.

What other symptoms might occur with enlarged liver?

Many symptoms may occur along with enlarged liver, depending on what is causing the condition. Some symptoms include:

An enlarged liver can be a symptom of a life threatening condition. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:

Also seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for liver disease and your symptoms worsen, persist, or recur.

What causes enlarged liver?

Enlarged liver is usually caused by liver disorders related to other conditions or disorders affecting other body systems.

Causes of enlarged liver

Causes of enlarged liver can include:

Serious or life threatening causes of enlarged liver

In some cases, an enlarged liver may be caused by a serious or life threatening condition. These causes include:

What are the risk factors for enlarged liver?

Some people have a higher risk of liver damage, which can lead to an enlarged liver. Some of these risk factors include medical conditions, family medical history, and other factors related to lifestyle choices.

Risk factors for enlarged liver related to your medical background and family history include:

Risk factors for an enlarged liver related to lifestyle include:

  • excessive alcohol use
  • eating a diet high in sugar and fat
  • taking too much of some vitamins or medications
  • taking certain herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, germander, valerian, ma huang, skullcap, kava, mistletoe, and pennyroyal

How do doctors diagnose enlarged liver?

Because it is unlikely you will feel that your liver is enlarged, your doctor may diagnose hepatomegaly when evaluating you for other symptoms. Other symptoms will vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. Your doctor may suspect enlarged liver during a physical exam conducted for another reason.

Usually, the edge of the liver emerges just to the lower edge of your right rib cage. If it is enlarged, your doctor may be able to feel it when you take a deep breath.

To diagnose your condition, your doctor will ask questions, including:

  • Have you noticed a feeling of fullness or a lump in your abdomen?
  • Have you experienced any abdominal pain?
  • Have you had any vomiting or vomiting of blood?
  • Have you had any unusually colored stools?
  • Have you had a fever or chills?
  • How much alcohol do you drink? Have you noticed any increased pain after drinking alcohol?
  • Have you noticed changes in your skin? A change in color? New blood vessels? Any itching?
  • What medications do you take?
  • Have you had any other symptoms?

Based on the physical exam and your answers to these questions, your doctor may want to conduct some tests. These could include:

  • Abdominal ultrasound: This imaging test uses ultrasound to view the liver and abdominal organs.
  • Imaging tests: An abdominal X-ray will look at the liver and surrounding organs. A CT scan or MRI will provide more details, including the composition of the liver and any potential changes.
  • Liver function tests: These blood tests may include liver enzyme levels and a complete blood count, among other tests.
  • Liver biopsy: A healthcare professional removes a small tissue sample of the liver to examine it under a microscope to look for changes.

What are the ways to treat an enlarged liver?

To treat an enlarged liver, your doctor will focus on treating the condition that is causing the liver to swell. Since there are many problems that can cause liver damage, treatments vary.

How to prevent liver diseases causing hepatomegaly

Some things you can do to protect your liver and help prevent liver disease that causes hepatomegaly include:

  • cutting back on drinking alcohol or stopping altogether
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise
  • getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B
  • managing other health conditions, such as getting iron levels under control
  • taking vitamins and supplements only under a doctor’s guidance and in the correct dosages
  • getting appropriate treatment if cancer is causing an enlarged liver

Potential complications of enlarged liver

Because an enlarged liver can be caused by serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications or permanent liver damage. 

It is important to follow the treatment plan you and your doctor design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications, which can include:

Summary

Enlarged liver is a sign of liver disease. A liver may become inflamed and enlarged while fighting off infection, cancer, or other conditions affecting the liver. 

The liver is resilient and can at times heal itself. However, prolonged inflammation can cause permanent damage and lead to complications.

It is important to listen to your body and talk with your doctor if you notice any health symptoms. Imaging and liver function tests can help identify the cause of an enlarged liver. Treatment usually involves treating the underlying cause.

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Medical Reviewer: Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP
Last Review Date: 2022 Apr 14
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