Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment in Delhi NCR

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease in which the body’s immune system attacks liver cells, causing progressive liver damage. It can affect children and adults and may range from an incidental rise in liver enzymes to severe hepatitis, cirrhosis or, in some cases, acute liver failure.

For patients looking for autoimmune hepatitis treatment in Delhi NCR or Gurgaon, Dr. Ankur Garg provides evaluation and liver transplant (if required) through a specialist liver care team at Paras Health, Gurugram.

Quick Summary

• What is autoimmune hepatitis? It is an immune-mediated liver disease in which the body’s immune system attacks liver tissue and causes inflammation.
• Is autoimmune hepatitis curable? There is no simple permanent cure, but treatment can control the disease and achieve biochemical remission in many patients. 
• What is the treatment for autoimmune hepatitis? Corticosteroids, usually with azathioprine or another steroid-sparing medicine.
• How is autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed? Diagnosis combines liver blood tests, IgG levels, autoantibody testing, exclusion of other causes of liver disease and, when appropriate, liver biopsy.
• When is liver transplant needed? Transplant may be considered for acute liver failure that does not respond adequately to medical treatment or for decompensated cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.

What Is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the liver caused by an abnormal immune response against liver cells.

• Unlike hepatitis B or hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis is not caused by a virus and is not contagious. It is also different from alcohol-related liver disease and fatty liver disease, although these conditions can sometimes coexist.
• The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is not fully understood. Genetic susceptibility, immune-system abnormalities and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its development.
• Without treatment, ongoing inflammation can result in fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and, in severe cases, the need for liver transplantation.
• It is more common in women and may occur alongside other autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

What Causes Autoimmune Hepatitis?

The condition is believed to develop when a genetically susceptible person’s immune system loses normal tolerance to liver tissue. Environmental or other immune triggers may contribute, although a specific trigger cannot usually be identified.

Some medicines can also cause an autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury that resembles autoimmune hepatitis.

Types of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis has historically been divided into Type 1 and Type 2 based mainly on antibody patterns.

However, modern guidelines increasingly emphasise the clinical presentation, biochemical findings, immunological profile, histology and overall disease phenotype rather than treating Type 1 and Type 2 as separate diseases requiring different standard treatment.

Common antibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis include:

• ANA (antinuclear antibody)
• ASMA/SMA (anti-smooth muscle antibody)
• Anti-LKM-1
• Anti-SLA/LP

The presence or absence of an antibody does not by itself confirm or exclude autoimmune hepatitis. 

Symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis can be difficult to recognise because symptoms can vary . Some patients have no symptoms and are diagnosed after routine blood tests show abnormal liver enzymes.

Common symptoms may include:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or general discomfort
• Abdominal discomfort, particularly in the upper right abdomen
• Joint pain
• Itching
• Jaundice, causing yellowing of the eyes or skin
• Dark urine
• Pale stools
• Unexplained weight loss

When Should Autoimmune Hepatitis Be Suspected?

Autoimmune hepatitis may be considered when a person has unexplained elevations in ALT or AST, particularly when other common causes of liver injury have not been identified.

A specialist may investigate AIH when there is:

• Persistent unexplained elevation of liver enzymes
• Elevated serum IgG
• Positive ANA, SMA, LKM-1 or other relevant autoantibodies
• Unexplained acute or chronic hepatitis
• Liver inflammation without an obvious viral, metabolic or drug-related cause
• Another autoimmune disease together with abnormal liver tests
• Acute severe hepatitis or liver failure where other causes have been excluded

A positive ANA or SMA alone does not mean that a person has autoimmune hepatitis. These antibodies can occur in other conditions and sometimes in healthy individuals.

Read more About LFT Test

How Is Autoimmune Hepatitis Treated?

Treatment aims to control liver inflammation, achieve complete biochemical remission and prevent further liver damage. The treatment plan depends on disease severity, liver function, fibrosis or cirrhosis, other health conditions and response to therapy.

Medicines Used for Autoimmune Hepatitis

For active autoimmune hepatitis, treatment commonly includes a corticosteroid such as prednisolone or prednisone, combined with azathioprine or, in appropriate patients, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Current guidelines recognise MMF as a first-line alternative to azathioprine in selected patients.

Patients who do not respond adequately or cannot tolerate standard treatment may require specialist-directed medicines such as MMF, tacrolimus or cyclosporine, depending on the individual clinical situation. The 2026 INASL guidance provides specific recommendations for difficult-to-treat AIH, including treatment intolerance, inadequate response, cirrhosis, pregnancy and post-transplant disease.

Do not start, stop or change any autoimmune hepatitis medicine without approval from a hepatologist. Immunosuppressive medicines require appropriate dosing, monitoring and adjustment based on liver tests and other safety parameters.

Autoimmune Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis

Autoimmune hepatitis can cause progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis when inflammation remains uncontrolled.

However, the rate of progression is not the same for every patient. Some patients present with cirrhosis at diagnosis, while others develop advanced fibrosis over a longer period.

When Does Autoimmune Hepatitis Require a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant may become necessary in specific situations, including:

Acute Liver Failure

• Autoimmune hepatitis can rarely cause acute liver failure. Patients with severe disease, particularly those who develop worsening liver function or hepatic encephalopathy despite appropriate treatment, may need urgent evaluation at a liver transplant centre.

Decompensated Cirrhosis

• Patients with autoimmune hepatitis who develop decompensated cirrhosis may require liver transplant evaluation. Complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or variceal bleeding can indicate advanced liver disease.

Diet and Lifestyle for Autoimmune Hepatitis

There is no specific food or diet that can cure autoimmune hepatitis.

A balanced diet can, however, support overall liver health and help manage treatment-related risks.

Recommended Lifestyle Measures

• Eat a balanced diet containing vegetables, fruits, whole grains and adequate protein.
• Limit highly processed foods and foods high in added sugar.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Stay physically active according to individual fitness and medical advice.
• Avoid unnecessary herbal or dietary supplements.
• Discuss all over-the-counter medicines and supplements with the treating doctor.
• Avoid alcohol, particularly when there is active liver inflammation or advanced liver disease.

Why Choose Dr. Ankur Garg for Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment in Delhi NCR?

• 25+ Years of Surgical Experience
• 4500+ Liver Transplant and HPB procedures
• Multidisciplinary team with Hepatology, oncology and interventional radiology
• Personalised treatment planning for individual cases

Liver transplant services at Paras Health are available for patients with acute liver failure or advanced liver disease.

Patients from Gurgaon, Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Greater Noida and other parts of India can seek consultation and evaluation through the LivCure liver care team.

International patients can also receive pre-arrival medical record review and treatment planning when required.

Get Expert Care for Autoimmune Hepatitis in Delhi NCR

Autoimmune hepatitis requires accurate diagnosis, appropriate immunosuppressive treatment and long-term monitoring.

Dr. Ankur Garg provides specialist evaluation for autoimmune hepatitis, complex liver disease, cirrhosis and liver transplantation.

Patients can share their previous liver reports, blood tests, imaging and biopsy reports for review and receive guidance on the next appropriate step.

Book a consultation with Dr. Ankur Garg in Delhi NCR.