The treatment for lack of bile involves addressing the underlying causes and managing the resulting complications, especially malabsorption. Here's a breakdown of common treatments:
Addressing Malabsorption
One of the primary concerns with a lack of bile is malabsorption, as bile acids are crucial for fat digestion and absorption of certain vitamins.
- Supplementation with Vitamins: Individuals experiencing malabsorption due to bile deficiency often require supplementation with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and other nutrients (Clayton 2006).
Bile Acid Replacement Therapy
When the body isn't producing enough bile acids, replacement therapy may be necessary.
- Oral Bile Acids: Standard treatment may include oral administration of primary bile acids, such as cholic acid or chenodeoxycholic acid (Heubi 2007). Ursodeoxycholic acid is another option that doctors prescribe.
Medications
Here is the medications table:
| Medication | Usage |
|---|---|
| Cholic acid | Primary bile acid replacement |
| Chenodeoxycholic acid | Primary bile acid replacement |
| Ursodeoxycholic acid | Bile acid used to improve bile flow |
| Vitamins A, D, E, and K | Supplementation for individuals with malabsorption |
