Baltacha, who retired last year, won 11 singles titles, made the third round of Wimbledon in 2002 and was part of Great Britain's Fed Cup team for 11 years.
"I'm currently undergoing treatment and fighting this illness with everything I have," said Ukraine-born Baltacha, 30.
Fed Cup captain Judy Murray added: "She's a determined, upbeat person and everyone around her is positive".
At the age of 19, Baltacha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition which compromises the immune system.
The Scot reached a career-high ranking of 49 in 2010, and also reached the third round of the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010, but struggled with injury and illness.
Announcing her retirement last November, she revealed she planned to dedicate herself to coaching and developing the academy she founded in 2012 with her coach Nino Severino.
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"I still absolutely love tennis and I want to take that passion and put it into learning to be the best coach I can be so that I can take all my experiences as a player and use that to help develop the next generation of British tennis players," she said.
For several years Baltacha and Anne Keothavong were at the forefront of the women's game in Britain.
Keothavong, who retired in July 2013, sent a message of support to her old rival via Twitter. (external)
It read: "She's one of the people I most admire for her courage and determination. You'll fight through this @ElenaBaltacha xxx."
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