Liver Disease
Liver disease refers to a group of conditions that damage the liver and affect its function. There are more than 100 different types of liver disease, ranging from common conditions to rare genetic and autoimmune disorders.
What is liver disease?
Liver disease is an umbrella term used to describe any condition that damages the liver or prevents it from working properly.
The liver is one of the body's largest and most important organs. It performs more than 500 essential functions, playing a vital role in digestion, metabolism, energy storage, hormone regulation, and the removal of toxins from the body, alongside many yet-to-be discovered metabolic and excretory functions. When liver disease develops, one or many of these important functions can become impaired.
There are over 100 different forms of liver disease. However, the most common types include:
fatty liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)
viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E
autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis
liver tumours, including benign growths and liver cancer, which could be primary liver cancer such as hepatocellular cancer or cholangiocellular cancer as well as metastases (spread) of cancers from other organs
inherited and genetic liver diseases, such as haemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, amongst many others
At Welbeck, patients with liver disease are assessed and treated within our Digestive Health Centre by consultants experienced in diagnosing both common and complex liver conditions.
More information
Many liver conditions develop slowly and may not cause symptoms in the early stages, as the liver has a large reserve capacity. Symptoms also vary depending on the underlying cause and how advanced the condition is. This is why early assessment and diagnosis are important.
As liver function becomes affected, symptoms may include:
fatigue or persistent tiredness
feeling generally unwell
loss of appetite
nausea
unexplained weight loss
abdominal pain or discomfort, particularly in the upper right side of the abdomen
bloating
swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
itchy skin
dark urine
pale or clay-coloured stools
yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
easy bruising or bleeding
confusion, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating
When should you seek medical advice?
You should arrange an assessment if you develop persistent symptoms, particularly jaundice, unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling, severe fatigue, or abnormal liver blood test results.
Early diagnosis can help prevent liver damage from progressing and may improve long-term outcomes.
There are many different causes of liver disease. Some conditions develop because of lifestyle factors, while others result from infections, immune system problems, or inherited genetic changes.
Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up within liver cells. It’s one of the most common liver conditions in the UK.
Risk factors include:
obesity
excessive alcohol consumption
Viral infections
Several viruses can infect the liver and cause inflammation.
These include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. While some forms of viral hepatitis resolve on their own, others can become chronic and lead to long-term liver damage.
Autoimmune diseases
In autoimmune liver diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver tissue.
Examples include:
autoimmune hepatitis
primary biliary cholangitis
primary sclerosing cholangitis
Genetic and inherited conditions
Certain inherited disorders can affect the liver from birth or develop later in life.
Examples include:
haemochromatosis
Wilson's disease
alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Medicines and toxins
Some medications, supplements and environmental toxins can cause liver inflammation or injury, particularly when used long-term or at high doses.
Liver tumours and cancer
Both benign and cancerous tumours can affect the liver. Some cancers begin within the liver itself, while others spread there from elsewhere in the body.
Many forms of liver disease progress gradually through a series of stages. Not everyone will develop every stage, and early treatment can often slow or stop progression.
Stage 1: Inflammation
The earliest stage of liver disease involves inflammation or hepatitis, commonly associated with viral infection. The liver may become irritated and swollen as it responds to infection, fat accumulation, alcohol, or other causes. At this stage, many people have no symptoms and liver damage may still be reversible.
Stage 2: Fibrosis
Ongoing inflammation can lead to fibrosis, where scar tissue begins to form within the liver. Although the liver can still function normally during mild fibrosis, the scarring starts to affect its structure.
Stage 3: Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis develops when significant scarring replaces healthy liver tissue. The liver becomes harder and less able to perform its normal functions. Symptoms are more likely to develop at this stage, and complications become more common.
Stage 4: Liver failure
Advanced liver disease can eventually lead to liver failure. This occurs when the liver can no longer carry out enough of its essential functions to keep the body healthy. In some cases, a liver transplant may be required.
At Welbeck, patients begin with a consultation with a specialist gastroenterologist or hepatologist. Your consultant will discuss your symptoms, medical history, medications, alcohol intake and any relevant family history. A physical examination may also be performed.
Depending on your symptoms and suspected diagnosis, further investigations may include:
viral hepatitis screening
autoimmune blood tests
iron studies and genetic testing
tumour markers
liver biopsy
In some cases, a diagnosis can be made following a consultation and blood tests. However, additional investigations may be needed to determine the exact cause and severity of liver disease so the most effective treatment can be recommended.
Not all liver diseases can be prevented. However, many cases can be avoided or the risk reduced through healthy lifestyle choices.
Ways to support liver health include:
maintaining a healthy weight
eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains
exercising regularly
limiting alcohol consumption
avoiding recreational drugs
only taking medications as directed
attending hepatitis vaccination programmes when appropriate
practising safe sex
managing conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol
Regular health checks may also help identify liver disease before symptoms develop.
If left untreated, liver disease can progress and lead to serious complications.
Potential complications include:
cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
portal hypertension (high pressure in the liver's blood vessels)
fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
internal bleeding
liver infections
hepatic encephalopathy (confusion caused by liver dysfunction)
malnutrition
liver failure
Not everyone with liver disease develops these complications. Early diagnosis, regular monitoring and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce risk and help preserve liver function.
Treatment depends on the specific type of liver disease, its severity, and your overall health.
Your consultant will develop a personalised treatment plan, which may include:
lifestyle changes, including weight loss and dietary modifications
reducing or avoiding alcohol consumption
antiviral medications for hepatitis infections
immunosuppressive medications for autoimmune liver diseases
medications to manage symptoms and complications
treatment for underlying metabolic conditions such as diabetes
regular monitoring with blood tests and imaging
minimally invasive procedures for complications of cirrhosis
treatment of liver tumours
liver transplantation in advanced cases
The earlier treatment begins, the greater the opportunity to prevent further liver damage and improve long-term outcomes.
At Welbeck, our digestive health specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
Some forms of liver disease can be partially or completely reversed if identified early and treated appropriately. For example, reducing excess body weight, stopping alcohol consumption, or treating viral hepatitis may allow the liver to recover before significant scarring develops.
No. While alcohol-related liver disease is common, many people develop liver disease for other reasons. Obesity, diabetes, viral infections, autoimmune conditions, genetic disorders, and certain medications can all affect liver health.
Yes. Because the liver supports many essential body functions, liver disease can affect the brain, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and immune system. This is why specialist assessment and ongoing monitoring are important.
Yes. Many people with early liver disease experience no symptoms at all. Abnormal liver blood tests, routine health checks, or scans performed for another reason often identify liver problems before symptoms appear.