Debra Lyons

Debra was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Widener University with a Bachelors of Science in Allied Health and Radiologic Technology. She has worked as a Radiologic Technologist for 23 years, working in pediatrics, trauma centers, orthopaedics, and urgent care.

Debra’s symptoms of PBC began in 2001 with elevated liver enzymes. Her doctor's only advice was to stop taking acetaminophen and stop drinking alcohol, which she did neither. Back then, there was no internet and no patient portal to review your results, so she didn’t know what questions to ask, and the doctor never brought it up again. She experienced years of fatigue, which she just contributed to working full-time and raising a family. In 2015, her liver enzymes came back elevated again, and she was told she had a fatty liver, to lose weight, and that she would be fine. It wasn’t until 2021, 20 years later, that she received an actual diagnosis; she finally had a name attached to her symptoms and a reason for her fatigue and elevated liver enzymes. Her diagnosis was Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

With her experience in radiology, Debra knew firsthand the effect of liver disease and the stigma attached to it. When someone hears the word liver disease, they automatically assume it is due to alcohol, when in fact, this was not Debra’s case; it is autoimmune-related. When given the opportunity, Debra takes the time to share her journey with patients, neighbors, friends, and family. It is important to help end the stigma attached to liver disease.

Debra is now PBC stage 4 with cirrhosis. She moved to South Carolina in 2025 with her husband, Brooks. She has a son, Jacob, who is a professional ballet dancer, and two school-age stepdaughters, Brianna and Savannah.

Click here to read all of Debra's articles on PrimaryBiliaryCholangitis.net.