UDCA for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Long-Term Efficacy
Gastroenterology (1994)
13 to 15 mg/kg/day improved biochemistry, histology, and reduced transplant need over 4 years.
UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)
Oral capsule (300mg)Available in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
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UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)
Hydrophilic bile acid that replaces cytotoxic bile acids in the hepatic pool. Treatment of choice for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Used in optimization medicine for hepatoprotection and emerging gut-liver axis modulation.
Reduces liver enzymes in cholestatic disease
Slows PBC progression
Hepatocytoprotective
Gut microbiome modulation
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Replaces cytotoxic hydrophobic bile acids through enterohepatic competition. Exerts cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, choleretic, and immunomodulatory effects. Also modulates gut microbiome composition.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid).
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Diarrhea/loose stools
- Nausea
- Pruritus (usually improves)
Less common but serious risks
- High-dose in PSC may increase complications (debated)
Generally not appropriate for
- Acute cholecystitis
- Calcified gallstones
- Non-functioning gallbladder
Typical monitoring
- Liver function tests every 3 to 6 months
- Liver ultrasound (gallstone indication)
- GI symptoms
FAQ
Quick answers.
Hydrophilic bile acid that replaces cytotoxic bile acids in the hepatic pool. Treatment of choice for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Used in optimization medicine for hepatoprotection and emerging gut-liver axis modulation.
Reduces liver enzymes in cholestatic disease. Slows PBC progression. Hepatocytoprotective. Gut microbiome modulation.
Common side effects include: diarrhea/loose stools, nausea, pruritus (usually improves). Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Hydrophilic bile acid that replaces cytotoxic bile acids in the hepatic pool. Treatment of choice for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Used in optimization medicine for hepatoprotection and emerging gut-liver axis modulation.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.