Is it okay to eat shellfish if you have liver disease?

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Is it okay to eat shellfish if you have liver disease?

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Melissa Palmer, MD

Hepatology

American Gastroenterological Association

10 Answers
1,184 Helpful Votes
9 Followers

Raw shellfish (oysters and clams) have been the source of many outbreaks of hepatitis A. People with chronic liver disease are at increased risk of complications and poor outcomes if they become infected with hepatitis A. Therefore, all people with chronic liver disease should get the hepatitis A vaccination. There have been some reports of people with hemochromatosis (a genetic liver disease of iron overload) dying from eating raw shellfish that was contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio Vulnificus. High iron levels have been linked to fatal infection with this bacteria, therefore, it is probably wise for people with hemochromatosis, other liver disease with high iron levels such as hepatitis C, and cirrhosis due to any liver disease to avoid raw or poorly cooked shellfish. Well-cooked shellfish on the other hand is not dangerous.

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