• Woman loses 26 cm of height
• Liver transplant partially restores health and height after six years

A British woman has shared her story after losing around 26 centimeters of her height due to a rare liver disease, hoping to inspire others not to give up.

Caroline King, 63, from Wiltshire, first noticed vision problems at home in 2018, which seemed minor at the time but were among the first signs of a serious liver condition known as granulomatous hepatitis, a disease so rare doctors may only see one case every ten years.

Before receiving a liver transplant, her symptoms were severe, including extreme fatigue and mental confusion, forcing her to rely on a wheelchair.

The treatment also caused severe osteoporosis in her spine, which led her height to drop from 1.63 meters to 1.37 meters.

Six years after the transplant, King has fully recovered, with her health stabilized, including her eyesight and liver function, and her height has increased to 1.52 meters.

King emphasizes the importance of “never giving up” and staying hopeful.

The British Liver Trust notes that thousands of people in the UK live with rare liver diseases, and diagnosis is often delayed due to limited awareness and research. The organization calls for greater medical knowledge, earlier detection, and continued investment in research to ensure patients receive the care they need.

Rare Disease Day is observed annually at the end of February to raise awareness for over 300 million people worldwide living with rare conditions.