Jaundice and abnormal liver tests

Last reviewed: 24 October 2026Urdu summary below

Medically reviewed by Dr Usman Naeem, 24 Oct 2026.

Key points

Jaundice is a yellow colour of the eyes and skin caused by a build-up of bilirubin.
Causes include hepatitis (viral, medicine-related or autoimmune), gallstones or other blockage of the bile duct, alcohol, and blood conditions.
Raised ALT or AST without jaundice are common and usually point to fatty liver, medicines or viral hepatitis, but always need a reason found.
Jaundice with fever, severe pain, confusion or bleeding is an emergency.

Overview

Bilirubin is made when old red blood cells are broken down. The liver processes it and sends it into bile. Jaundice can occur because too much bilirubin is produced, because the liver cannot process it, or because bile cannot drain away.

Abnormal liver tests without jaundice are very common. A pattern of mainly raised ALT/AST suggests injury to liver cells; a pattern of raised ALP and GGT suggests a bile flow problem. The pattern helps doctors choose the next tests.

Causes and risk factors

Symptoms

Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, itching
Tiredness, loss of appetite or nausea
Some people have raised liver enzymes without any symptoms

When to seek urgent medical care

Jaundice with fever, severe abdominal pain, confusion, drowsiness or bleeding
Jaundice that is quickly getting worse

In an emergency go to the nearest emergency department or call Rescue 1122.

How it is assessed

Liver blood tests (including bilirubin split into direct and indirect), blood count and clotting
Hepatitis A, B, C and E tests and, where relevant, tests for autoimmune and metabolic liver diseases
Ultrasound scan, and MRCP, CT or endoscopic ultrasound if the bile duct may be blocked
A review of all medicines, herbal products and supplements

Treatment

Treatment depends entirely on the cause

Supportive care for many viral hepatitis infections, stopping a harmful medicine, treating the underlying liver disease, or unblocking the bile duct (often by ERCP)
Do not take herbal or over-the-counter “jaundice remedies” without medical advice. Some can damage the liver and delay proper diagnosis

What you can do

Rest and drink fluids if you feel unwell, but do not delay medical assessment
Avoid alcohol until the cause is clear
Keep a list of everything you take, including herbal products

Common questions

Is jaundice always hepatitis?

No. Hepatitis is one cause. Gallstones, blocked bile ducts, medicines, alcohol, autoimmune disease and blood disorders can also cause jaundice.

My liver enzymes are mildly high but I feel fine. Should I worry?

Mild rises are common and often due to fatty liver or medicines, but a cause should be looked for and the tests repeated. Do not ignore them.

اردو خلاصہ

یرقان میں آنکھیں اور جلد پیلی ہو جاتی ہیں، پیشاب گہرا اور پاخانہ ہلکے رنگ کا ہو سکتا ہے۔ اس کی وجوہات میں ہیپاٹائٹس، پتے کی پتھری یا نالی میں رکاوٹ، ادویات، الکحل اور خون کی بیماریاں شامل ہیں۔

اصل وجہ جاننے کے لیے خون کے ٹیسٹ اور الٹراساؤنڈ ضروری ہیں۔ جڑی بوٹیوں یا گھریلو ٹوٹکوں پر انحصار نہ کریں کیونکہ کچھ جگر کو نقصان پہنچا سکتے ہیں۔ بخار، شدید درد، الجھن یا خون بہنے کے ساتھ یرقان ہو تو فوراً ایمرجنسی جائیں۔

Videos on this topic

Dr Usman Naeem’s own videos (mostly Urdu). They load only when you press play.

اردو

آنکھیں پیلی (Yellow Eyes)؟ یرقان (Jaundice)، ہیپاٹائٹس یا کچھ اور؟

Watch on YouTube