In autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammation affects the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. Some people develop problems with other organs, including the liver, kidneys, and spleen, due to certain MS symptoms. Some medications can also negatively impact organ health and function.

In this article, we’ll discuss how MS may affect your liver, kidney, and spleen. We’ll also explain how some MS treatments can impact your organ function. To learn more about the effects of your MS medications, talk to your doctor or neurologist (nervous system specialist).

MS and Its Effects on the Body

MS is an autoimmune disease that affects your brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord — known as your central nervous system. Specifically, the immune system attacks the fatty myelin coating that protects nerve cells. People with MS often have muscle weakness, vision changes, and trouble thinking and concentrating.

Having an inflammatory disease like MS also raises your risk of other health conditions. When you have two conditions at the same time, they’re known as comorbidities. Some comorbidities can affect organs like the liver, kidneys, and spleen.

How Does MS Affect Your Liver?

Your liver is a vital organ that sits along the right side of your body, underneath your ribs. The liver has hundreds of responsibilities, including:

• Filtering out toxins from your blood
• Breaking down fats, proteins, and carbs for energy
• Making bile for digestion
• Clearing out old red blood cells
• Making proteins needed to create blood clots
• Storing vitamins and glycogen (a form of glucose) for energy

Although it isn’t common for MS to impact the liver, there are a few factors related to autoimmune factors, viral infections, and medications to keep in mind, as they may be linked to liver damage.

Autoimmune Liver Disease and MS

Researchers are currently looking into how autoimmune liver diseases and MS may be related. While there isn’t a lot of research on the topic, there is a chance that autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may be connected to MS.

Autoimmune hepatitis develops when the immune system attacks the liver. People with AIH have chronic (long-term) inflammation. If left untreated, this leads to scarring in the liver. The scarring blocks the bile ducts and interferes with the liver’s normal functions.

Some reports show that infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause AIH. EBV is also thought to play a role in MS. Studies also have found that people with AIH and MS may share some similar genetic characteristics. However, more research is needed to confirm the connection.

How Certain MS Medications May Affect the Liver

All medications come with side effects. Some disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can negatively affect the liver. Studies have examined some cases of people taking the following medications and developing acute liver failure:

• Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Interferon-beta
• Natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)

If you already have liver disease or cirrhosis (permanent scarring and damage), you may not qualify for some MS treatments. Your doctor may also check for hepatitis B and C viruses before you start a new medication.

Some people may take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to control joint and muscle pain from MS. Sometimes, these medications can add stress to your liver.

If you take a medication known to affect liver function, you may want to talk to your doctor about your concerns. They can advise you on what treatments are safe to take.

Monitoring Your Liver Function With MS

People taking certain MS medications need regular liver function tests (LFTs). These are blood tests that measure certain protein and waste levels. For example, if you start taking fingolimod, you’ll need liver enzyme testing every three months for one year. Your doctor will continue monitoring your enzymes every other month afterward. If your LFTs look abnormal, it may be a sign of liver damage. Your doctor can adjust your MS treatment plan as needed based on your results.

How Does MS Affect Your Kidneys?

Every day, your kidneys filter nearly 200 quarts of blood to remove wastes and make urine. These bean-shaped organs also play a key role in balancing your fluid and electrolyte levels, including your potassium and sodium levels.

Your kidneys contain thousands of delicate blood vessels that separate wastes from the fluid. When these vessels become damaged, it can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). You may develop kidney failure — also known as renal failure — when your kidneys stop working.

People with MS are more likely to experience kidney problems due to their symptoms and treatments.

MS Symptoms and Kidney Problems

MS can affect your unconscious body functions — like bladder and bowel function. If you have bladder problems, you’re at a higher risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Untreated UTIs can cause kidney stones, kidney infections, and damage.

MS Treatments and Kidney Damage

Certain MS treatments can also impact your kidney health. Doctors usually prescribe interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to treat relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Studies show that IFN-beta treatment can cause glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation and damage).

Signs of kidney problems with MS treatments can include edema (swelling) and proteinuria (protein in urine). Extra protein can make your urine very foamy. Taking an NSAID long-term can also lead to kidney damage. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your current MS treatment plan and how it may impact your kidneys.

Diagnosing Kidney Problems With MS

If you notice any signs or symptoms of kidney disease, let your doctor know. They can run tests to measure how well your kidneys filter out waste products. A simple urine test can also help diagnose kidney damage. Your doctor may recommend checking your blood pressure regularly as a way to monitor your kidney function.

Does MS Affect Your Spleen?

Your spleen is a small organ that sits just next to your stomach inside of your left rib cage. As part of your lymphatic system and immune system, your spleen works to keep your body healthy. This organ has multiple functions, including:

• Storing blood
• Controlling the levels of white blood cells (immune cells) that help fight infections
• Filtering blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells
• Maintaining the fluid levels in your body

Spleen Size and MS

Although MS itself isn’t known to cause problems with the spleen, other medical conditions related to MS can. For example, some scientists believe infection with EBV plays an important role in the risk of MS. EBV is known to cause modification of abdominal organs, including the spleen, especially in the acute phase of infection.

One study looked at how spleen size relates to MS disease severity. Researchers found the smaller a person’s spleen was, the worse their MS symptoms were. However, further studies are needed to explain why and if EBV has any role in this.

Talk To Your Doctor About MS and Your Body

If you’re concerned about how MS may be affecting your body, talk to your healthcare provider. They can go over your symptoms, look at your risk factors, and determine whether you need additional testing. Be sure to tell your doctor about any personal or family medical history of other health conditions. This can clue your healthcare provider into any issues that may develop later on.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyMSTeam, the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones, more than 219,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with multiple sclerosis.

Have you had liver, kidney, or spleen problems living with multiple sclerosis? Were they related to your treatment or symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.