At the age of 13, Melville, NY, resident Sam Lipskin began battling a common teen woe: acne.

After a few unsuccessful home remedies, his dermatologist recommended the prescription medication Accutane. Because this acne-clearing drug is processed through the liver, Sam first had to undergo liver enzyme testing to ensure it would be safe for him.

The test yielded unexpected results—Sam’s liver enzymes were so high, they resembled someone who drank heavily and had cirrhosis.

Sam’s mother, Lesley, was shocked. Searching for answers that would explain her son’s condition, she took him to Cohen Children’s Medical Center where they met with the head of the Pediatric Liver Disease Center, Shari Sheflin-Findling, DO.

“I immediately felt good about Dr. Sheflin-Findling,” Lesley recalled. “I knew we were in good hands and she would figure out what was going on with Sam.”

Dr. Sheflin-Findling ordered a liver biopsy, which revealed that Sam had autoimmune (AI) hepatitis—a chronic condition that causes the liver to become inflamed and the body’s immune system to attack the liver cells. Symptoms can be vague or nonexistent, as in Sam’s case, or could include aching joints, nausea, jaundice and more. If left untreated, AI hepatitis could result in serious complications including cirrhosis.

While there’s no known cure, AI hepatitis can be controlled with medications that suppress the body’s immune reaction. Dr. Sheflin-Findling recommended a three-month course of high-dose steroids. She explained to the Lipskins that this could cause weight gain and other side effects—but that she would be there to guide Sam both physically and emotionally throughout the course of his treatment.

“Dr. Sheflin-Findling is so nurturing,” Lesley said. “She wanted to fix Sam’s liver, but she also wanted to fix his spirit.”

Sam responded well to treatment. The side effects went away and his liver function improved so much that he even got the green light to begin taking Accutane. He’s now an active high school student who enjoys playing soccer, basketball and flag football.

“He’s living his best life—a normal life,” Lesley said.

Sam will continue taking immunosuppressive drugs until he turns 18, and hopes that he won’t need treatment at all after that.

“I forget that there’s anything wrong with me,” Sam said. “I feel completely fine. I am so glad we have Dr. Sheflin-Findling.”