That headline is partly misleading. Your feet can sometimes reflect health problems that may be related to liver disease, but there are no foot signs that specifically diagnose liver problems. Most foot symptoms have more common causes.
Here are a few foot changes that can occur with advanced liver disease:
- Swollen feet and ankles (edema)
- Liver disease can reduce the production of proteins that help keep fluid in the bloodstream, leading to swelling.
- However, swelling is more commonly caused by heart disease, kidney disease, certain medications, or prolonged standing.
- Itchy feet
- Severe itching can occur in some liver diseases because substances normally removed by the liver build up in the body.
- Dry skin, eczema, allergies, or fungal infections are much more common causes.
- Yellowing of the skin (including the soles in some people)
- Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up due to liver or bile duct problems.
- The whites of the eyes usually become yellow before the feet.
- Easy bruising or slow-healing sores
- Advanced liver disease can affect blood clotting and healing.
- Diabetes, poor circulation, and certain medications can also cause these problems.
When to see a doctor
If you notice foot symptoms along with any of the following, you should seek medical evaluation:
- Yellow eyes or skin.
- A swollen abdomen.
- Dark urine or pale stools.
- Persistent fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Confusion or excessive sleepiness.
Most foot symptoms are not caused by liver disease. Persistent swelling, pain, numbness, or skin changes should still be evaluated because they may point to other conditions such as diabetes, circulation problems, or heart or kidney disease.
So, while your feet can occasionally provide clues in advanced liver disease, they cannot reliably tell you how healthy your liver is. A healthcare professional can evaluate liver health using your symptoms, a physical examination, blood tests, and, when needed, imaging studies.
