Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
At GastroDoxs in Houston, Dr. Pothuri starts by learning about your symptoms and health history.
He orders blood tests to check liver enzymes and immune markers.
An ultrasound or MRI may be used to look at your liver for inflammation or damage.
In some cases, a liver biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other liver problems.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic liver disease where the immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and injury.
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), abdominal discomfort, joint pain, and elevated liver enzymes.
Diagnosis involves blood tests for autoantibodies (ANA, SMA), elevated IgG levels, liver function tests, and liver biopsy.
The exact cause is unknown, but genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and other autoimmune conditions play a role.
First-line treatment uses corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) often combined with azathioprine to reduce immune attack on the liver.
Yes. Long-term immunosuppression is usually required to keep inflammation under control and prevent relapse.
Without treatment, chronic inflammation can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis, increasing the risk of liver failure.
Patients need regular monitoring of liver enzymes, antibody titers, and drug side effects-usually every 3-6 months.
Maintain a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, and follow your treatment plan closely.
Contact local liver disease support groups or visit the American Liver Foundation for resources and patient forums.
