Some people with PBC will never experience any symptoms of the disease. Common symptoms of PBC are constant tiredness (this can be severe for some people) and intense itching in any part of the body. As with tiredness, the severity of the itch will vary from person to person; severity is not an indication of the amount of liver damage.

Other symptoms that may develop typically include the following:

• dry eyes and/or dry mouth
• constant or variable ache or discomfort in the upper right hand side, below the ribs
• indigestion, nausea or poor appetite
• arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
• pain in the bones
• diarrhea
• dark-colored urine and/or pale stools
• jaundice - yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
  

Tiredness and itch are generally the first symptoms to appear, while jaundice is usually associated with the later stages of the disease.

The following factors may increase your risk of primary biliary cholangitis:

• Gender: most people with PBC are women.
• Age: PBC is most likely to occur in people 30 to 60 years old.
• Genetic factors: Those with a family member who has had PBC are more likely to develop it themselves
• Geography: PBC is most common in northern Europe and North America.

Ultrasound 

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) 

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)

Liver Biopsy

Controlling your condition

Managing unpleasant symptoms

A liver transplant is usually only recommended if other treatments are no longer effective and one's life is threatened by end-stage liver disease. It is a major operation that requires careful planning with one's medical team, family and friends.

Liver transplantation can provide positive outcomes for those with PBC. It is possible to develop PBC in the new liver, but it may take up to 15 years before the disease progresses significantly.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is usually diagnosed incidentally or following investigation for the above symptoms. Once diagnosed, the patient normally visits their liver clinic at regular intervals to monitor the progress of the condition.