Symptoms of Liver Damage

10. Weight loss or gain

People with damage from liver disease can experience either weight loss or weight gain. Some people with liver damage may experience a loss of appetite due to pain, abdominal pressure from ascites, bloating, nausea, or changes in taste, which can result in weight loss. However, people with this condition can also appear to gain weight if they are experiencing ascites or edema because they are retaining more fluid than they would normally.

When people with liver damage lose weight, they lose fat and muscle. When they gain weight, it is typically due to excess fluid. People with liver damage may see slight weight fluctuation because they have lost a lot of fat and muscle but are retaining a significant amount of fluid. Even though the numbers on the scale may not change that significantly, the body's composition can change drastically.