The First Steps With Liver Health
Liver Health: the few things that matter most, and the mistakes that catch people out early.
Keeping the liver working, and recognising the signs when it is not.
Key takeaways
- Two leading UK causes: alcohol and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease
- Alcohol guideline: no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days
- Most useful single change: Keep within the alcohol guideline and have drink-free days.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming normal blood tests exclude liver disease.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Why bother
Liver disease is largely symptomless until it is advanced, and the two commonest causes in the UK are alcohol and excess weight.
Start here
These two first. Everything else is easier once they are habit.
- Keep within the alcohol guideline and have drink-free days
- Address excess weight, which drives fatty liver disease
Then add these
When those have settled in, these are worth adding.
- Ask about hepatitis B and C testing if you have risk factors
- Have vaccinations for hepatitis A and B if advised
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Two leading UK causes | alcohol and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease |
| Alcohol guideline | no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days |
| Early disease | usually causes no symptoms |
| Liver function tests | can be normal even with significant disease |
| Fatty liver | often improves with weight loss and reduced alcohol |
Common early mistakes
- Assuming normal blood tests exclude liver disease
- Exceeding paracetamol dosing limits, particularly with alcohol
- Herbal remedies marketed for liver health without advice
Where to go next
- The Evidence on Liver Health, Without the Hype
- Making Sense of Liver Health
- Liver Health — the reference entry
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Published Guidance Supports
- What the Guidance Really Says About Constipation
When to speak to a doctor
Seek urgent medical help for yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting blood, black tarry stools, swelling of the abdomen, or new confusion and drowsiness — these indicate advanced liver problems. See a GP for persistent fatigue, itching, or upper right abdominal discomfort. Never stop drinking abruptly without advice if you are physically dependent.
Where this comes from
- NICE — Cirrhosis in over 16s
- British Liver Trust — liver health
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
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