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Real members of myPBCteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myPBCteam Member asked a question 💭
Great Britain
March 18
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PBC Stages and Symptoms: Understanding the Progression Read Article...
A myPBCteam Member

Thank you .

March 18
myPBCteam

Are PBC and EPI related?

Yes, there can be a connection between PBC and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). In advanced PBC, damage to the bile ducts can lead to fat malabsorption, which means your body has trouble breaking down and absorbing fats from food.

The small bile ducts carry bile acids and digestive enzymes Show Full Answer

Are PBC and EPI related?

Yes, there can be a connection between PBC and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). In advanced PBC, damage to the bile ducts can lead to fat malabsorption, which means your body has trouble breaking down and absorbing fats from food.

The small bile ducts carry bile acids and digestive enzymes that help your body digest fat. When these ducts are damaged by PBC, it can interfere with fat digestion, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and greasy stools.

While this fat malabsorption is related to bile duct damage rather than pancreatic function, both conditions can result in similar digestive issues. If you're experiencing symptoms of EPI alongside PBC, it's important to work with your healthcare team to manage both conditions effectively.

March 18

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Great Britain

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