7 Warning Signs that Indicate Trouble in the Liver

When the liver is toxic, our body can react in different ways. When it fails to clean itself correctly, waste builds up and leads to complications.
7 Warning Signs that Indicate Trouble in the Liver
Maricela Jiménez López

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Maricela Jiménez López.

Last update: 26 May, 2022

The liver is one of the organs involved in the body’s cleaning process. It filters and removes toxins that travel in the bloodstream.
A properly functioning liver is key to enjoying a good quality of life. After all, in addition to other things, it plays a key part in metabolism as well as in the production of certain hormones.

The problem is that bad lifestyle habits and exposure to polluted areas deteriorate the liver and lead to several problems.

The organ ends up reducing its capacity to purify the body and, little by little, it gives off warning signs to tell us it’s not healthy.

The biggest problem is that many people ignore the situation and they don’t respond to the problem in time because they confuse the signs with other illnesses.

This is why we want to talk about these 7 warning signs that indicate trouble in the liver. Watch out for them!

Warning signs that indicate trouble in the liver

1. Unexplainable weight gain

A woman weighing herself.

Excessive build-up of toxins in the liver interferes with its capacity to help digest fats. This interference affects the process that removes fats from the body.

This condition makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight, even if you’re following a diet low in calories.

The body stores toxic fat cells and later distributes them throughout the body because the organ is unable to process them.

Also read: How Much Do You Need To Walk Every Day to Lose Weight?

2. Chronic fatigue

A constant feeling of tiredness, or experiencing the symptoms of chronic fatigue, are also signs that the liver is overwhelmed with toxins.

This combination of reactions occurs because the liver’s inability to complete its functions leads to metabolic complications.

It can lead to pain, inflammation, and other problems that reduce our ability to complete everyday tasks.

3. Sweating and body odor

A woman smelling herself.

Although many of us don’t know it, the liver’s functions are also connected to body temperature and odor. The difficulties brought on by toxin build-up can cause excessive sweating and unpleasant body odors. 

Sweating and odors result from the body’s quest to regulate temperature because it heats up when it fights toxic agents and bacteria.

4. Cystic acne

A sudden acne breakout can indicate a hormonal problem or a failure in the hepatic system. If you have big and inflamed pimples that tend to scar, it might have something to do with a liver malfunction.

In general, those who suffer from this skin problem usually have difficulties controlling their acne due to toxin retention in their liver. You need to find a way to purify the liver in order to cure it completely.

5. Allergies, one of the signs that indicate trouble in the liver

A woman sneezing due to her allergies.

Because toxins reduce the liver’s ability to purify itself, it can result in an autoimmune reaction that causes allergic reactions. 

Antibodies detect when something isn’t right and immediately attack the allergens that affect the body.

If the organ begins to fail and sees itself unable to carry out this function, the body stores too much histamine. This leads to consequences like:

  • Sensation of inflammation.
  • Itching all over the body.
  • Headaches.
  • Nasal congestion.

6. Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux may be a common occurrence for indigestion and stomach problems, but it can also be a sign of a liver problem.

When the organ fails to function properly, the blood’s pH levels shift and cause too much acidity. These pH levels irritate the stomach lining and weaken the sphincter, which traps acidic juices.

7. Bad breath

A woman with bad breath.

When bad breath turns into a persistent problem in spite of having good oral hygiene, it might have something to do with the liver. Bad breath could be the result of c omplications in the processing of toxins that the liver needs to filter out of the blood.

When the liver slows down, waste builds up in its tissue and, in many patients, causes an unpleasant mouth odor.

It can even leave a light metal taste in the mouth if the liver is overwhelmed with heavy metals.

Do you have any of these signs that indicate trouble in the liver? If so, contact your doctor to find out if you have a liver problem. Furthermore, improve your dietary habits and try to consume drinks and foods that help the detoxification process.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.