How do I know if I have jaundice?

I have yellowing palms, but so far it's only my palms that are yellowing. My chemistry teacher said it's due to the large amount of carrots I eat (i eat a ton) but I'm turning YELLOW, not orange. I'm worried that something may be wrong with my liver, because since my palms have started yellowing I've also had bad constipation that cannot be helped even by laxatives, and a complete loss of my periods. My doctor said this is just because I'm young (I'm 16) but I'm worried that something may be wrong. How do I know if I have jaundice?

It's more noticeable in the whites of the eyes. You'll see a yellowish tint there and also in your urine. Also, if the situation worsens, your urine will become brownish and your stool will become ash-like. If your doctor is not concerned or sees no reason to be, I'd take that as okay...or get a 2nd opinion. It's your life and health. If your doctor is incompetent, don't you suffer for his/her ignorance. Doctors are not all perfect, ya know?

if more of your body is yellowing, if your eyesare yellowing, then asy your doctor immediately. it could be hepatitis if you did anything recently with blood transfusion. my friend love carrots and his skin is yellow for a period of time. dont eat carrots for a couple of weeks to see if it's true. remember, hepatitis is curable. just hope you don't. good luck!

Eating a ton of carrots can definitely cause yellow palms. As the other poster implied, if the whites of your eyes are not yellow, then it is most likely not jaundice.

If you have also stopped having periods, you have to consider whether you are eating enough *other* foods. I had some friends in college with anorexia nervosa, and they ate only carrots. Well, sometimes they would have a little mustard on them. :) And as you probably know, if your weight goes below a certain point, you will stop menstruating. Along the same lines, if you have been using laxatives too much, you can get into a cycle where you need to use more and more in order to have a BM.

If there is anything about your eating habits that you have not shared with your doctor, please go back and tell him or her. Or tell your parents. Good luck, and I hope it all works out.