Skip to main content

A Better Me with Sickle Cell Disease

Liver

A sickle cell and a normal blood cell

  • All organs in individuals with sickle cell are at risk for damage because of the small vessel blockages which occur frequently. Many individuals with sickle cell receive transfusions over their life, and the excess iron from those transfusions can also damage the liver. The liver is an organ that is able to regenerate and heal itself but is still at risk for some conditions, particularly hepatitis C. This is a viral infection that can progress to a chronic infection and liver failure if not caught and treated.

    • Treatment/Prevention: We recommend that you have an annual screen for Hepatitis C

  • Since the sickle red blood cells have a much shorter lifespan compared to normal red blood cells, there is a high turnover of blood in the body. When this turnover is faster than the body’s ability to get rid of the breakdown products of the dead red blood cells, gallstones are more likely to be formed.

  • Treatment/Prevention: 50% of individuals with sickle cell will develop gallstones and it is difficult to prevent them from forming. Some individuals may choose to have their gallbladder removed after an episode, which will reduce a majority of gallstone episodes.

Back to top