Education

What it is:
A condition in which fat builds up in the liver due to metabolic factors such as excess weight, insulin resistance, or high cholesterol. The more severe form, MASH (formerly NASH), involves inflammation and liver cell injury. When metabolic risk factors occur together with regular alcohol use, this is sometimes called MetALD (metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease).

Risks:
Often silent, MASLD can gradually progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. It is now one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide.

Management:
The foundation of treatment is healthy weight reduction through nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral support. Managing diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol is essential. Limiting alcohol intake is important, particularly when both metabolic and alcohol factors are present. New medications are emerging for patients with more advanced disease.

TLC Tip:
Even a 7–10% weight loss can significantly reduce liver fat and inflammation — small, steady steps make a big difference.

Find nutrition and metabolic health resources for MASLD

What it is:
Liver injury caused by excessive or prolonged alcohol use. It includes a spectrum ranging from fatty liver to alcohol-associated hepatitis and cirrhosis. When alcohol use occurs alongside metabolic risk factors such as excess weight, diabetes, or high cholesterol, it is sometimes called MetALD (metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease).

Symptoms:
Fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice, and swelling can occur, but damage often progresses silently for years before symptoms appear.

Management:
The cornerstone of treatment is complete alcohol cessation. Supportive care, balanced nutrition, and management of complications (such as ascites or encephalopathy) are key. For advanced disease, liver transplantation may be considered when medical therapy alone is insufficient.

Support:
Recovery requires both medical and behavioral support. Counseling, medications for alcohol use disorder, and peer programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery can make long-term sobriety achievable.

TLC Tip:
No matter how far the disease has progressed, liver healing begins the moment alcohol use stops and compassionate help is available.

Find recovery and support resources for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

What it is:
A viral infection that causes liver inflammation and, if untreated, can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Many people live with chronic Hepatitis C for years without realizing it.

Symptoms:
Most people have no symptoms early on. When they occur, they may include fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Management:
Modern antiviral medications can cure over 95% of people with Hepatitis C usually with just 8 to 12 weeks of pills and minimal side effects. Early treatment prevents long-term liver damage.

Screening:
Everyone should be screened at least once in adulthood, and more often for people with prior injection drug use, transfusions before 1992, or other risk factors.

TLC Tip:
If you’ve ever tested positive for Hepatitis C antibodies, you need a confirmatory HCV RNA test to know if you still have the virus.

Find testing and treatment resources for Hepatitis C

What it is:
A viral infection that attacks the liver. Most adults clear the infection on their own, but some people develop chronic Hepatitis B, which can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer over time.

Symptoms:
Usually none at first. Some people experience fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Management:
Regular blood tests and imaging to monitor liver health. Antiviral therapy may be started if the virus is active or liver damage is present. Lifelong follow-up is important even if you feel well.

Prevention:
Vaccination is safe and highly effective. Practice safe sex, avoid sharing needles or razors, and ensure all household and sexual contacts are vaccinated.

TLC Tip:
If you’ve ever been told you have “surface antigen positive” or “carrier state,” don’t ignore it, schedule ongoing care with a liver specialist.

Find care and support resources for Hepatitis B

What it is:
Advanced scarring of the liver that results from long-standing injury, such as viral hepatitis, alcohol use, or fatty liver disease. As cirrhosis progresses, normal liver function declines and blood flow through the liver becomes restricted.

Complications:
May include portal hypertension, varices (enlarged veins prone to bleeding), ascites (fluid buildup), hepatic encephalopathy (confusion due to toxins), and liver cancer.

Management:
Care involves guideline-based surveillance, low-sodium nutrition, avoidance of alcohol, appropriate medications, and evaluation for liver transplantation when indicated. Early recognition and coordinated care improve survival.

TLC Tip:
Even in advanced disease, careful management and consistent follow-up can prevent many complications and maintain quality of life.

Find living-with-cirrhosis and support resources

What it is:
A complication of liver scarring in which blood flow through the liver becomes restricted, causing increased pressure in the portal vein, the main vessel that carries blood from the intestines to the liver.

Symptoms:
Often silent until advanced. Can cause varices (enlarged veins that may bleed), fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), or splenomegaly.

Management:
Focuses on reducing portal pressure and preventing bleeding with medications (such as non-selective beta-blockers), endoscopic banding of varices, and regular monitoring.

TLC Tip:
Even if you feel well, routine endoscopy and medication adherence are vital to prevent life-threatening bleeding events.

Find care and monitoring resources for portal hypertension

What they are:
A group of immune-mediated liver conditions in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells or bile ducts. These include Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).

Symptoms:
Fatigue, itching, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort are common. Some people have no symptoms until liver tests become abnormal.

Management:
Treatment may include immunosuppressive therapy (such as steroids or azathioprine), medications to improve bile flow, and management of itching and fatigue. Ongoing monitoring helps prevent complications like cirrhosis or bile duct cancer.

TLC Tip:
Because these conditions are lifelong, regular follow-up with a hepatologist and maintaining liver-healthy habits can make a major difference in outcomes.

Find care and support resources for autoimmune & cholestatic liver diseases

What it is:
Liver cancer refers mainly to two types:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):the most common form, arising from liver cells, usually in people with cirrhosis.
• Cholangiocarcinoma:a rarer cancer that develops from the bile ducts inside the liver.

Risk factors:
Cirrhosis from any cause, chronic Hepatitis B or C, alcohol-associated liver disease, and fatty liver disease (MASLD) all increase the risk.

Screening:
People at risk should undergo imaging (e.g. ultrasound, CT or MRI) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing every 6 months to detect tumors early, when curative treatment is most effective.

Management:
Treatment depends on stage and liver function. Options include surgical resection, liver transplantation, local ablation or embolization, and systemic therapies such as targeted or immunotherapy.

TLC Tip:
Regular surveillance is your best defense, most liver cancers can only be cured if found early.

Find screening and treatment resources for liver cancer

Pre-transplant:
Evaluation includes detailed blood work, imaging, cardiac testing, nutrition assessment, and psychosocial support to ensure each patient is ready for surgery and recovery. Maintaining sobriety (when applicable), optimizing nutrition, and keeping appointments are crucial parts of readiness.

Post-transplant:
Care involves lifelong follow-up with your transplant team, use of immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection, and close monitoring for infection, kidney function, and cancer screening. Nutrition, vaccination, and medication adherence remain essential.

TLC Tip:
Liver transplant is not an endpoint, it’s the start of a new phase of care that requires teamwork, vigilance, and long-term support.

Find transplant journey and post-transplant support resources

What it is:
Liver damage that occurs when a medication, supplement, or herbal product harms liver cells. Both prescription and over-the-counter products can cause it, including common pain relievers, antibiotics, or “natural” remedies.

Symptoms:
Often silent at first. Possible signs include fatigue, nausea, itching, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Management:
The key is early recognition and stopping the offending drug. Most people recover fully with medical supervision, though severe cases may require hospitalization. Always discuss any new medication or supplement with your care team.

TLC Tip:
Bring an updated list of all medicines and supplements to every visit, prevention starts with awareness.

Find medication safety and supplement guidance

What it is:
An inherited disorder causing the body to absorb and store too much iron, which can accumulate in the liver, heart, and pancreas and lead to organ damage over time.

Symptoms:
Many have no symptoms for years. Fatigue, joint pain, and darkened skin may appear later.

Management:
Treatment involves regular blood removal (phlebotomy) to reduce iron levels. Family members should be screened because the condition is genetic. Limiting alcohol and avoiding iron or vitamin C supplements also help protect the liver.

TLC Tip:
Simple blood tests for iron and ferritin can detect overload early, ask about screening if liver tests or family history suggest risk.

Find phlebotomy and genetic counseling resources

What it is:
A rare genetic disorder where the body can’t properly remove copper, leading to buildup in the liver, brain, and other organs. Other inherited liver diseases include alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and various metabolic enzyme disorders.

Symptoms:
Fatigue, behavioral or mood changes, tremors, or jaundice. In children and young adults, it may mimic other liver conditions or neurological illness.

Management:
Treatment removes excess copper through chelating medications and dietary adjustment. Lifelong monitoring is needed to prevent recurrence. Family screening and genetic testing are essential.

TLC Tip:
If several relatives have unexplained liver disease or neurologic symptoms, ask your provider about genetic testing, early detection saves lives.

Find testing and specialty-care resources

What they are:
Liver diseases that affect infants, children, and adolescents, including biliary atresia, metabolic and genetic disorders, viral hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis.

Symptoms:
Jaundice lasting beyond the newborn period, pale stools, poor growth, fatigue, or abdominal swelling.

Management:
Children require specialized pediatric hepatology care for diagnosis, nutrition, and monitoring. Some may need early surgery or liver transplantation. Ongoing family education and support are vital for long-term outcomes.

TLC Tip:
Early referral to a pediatric liver specialist gives children the best chance for recovery and healthy growth.

Find pediatric liver care and family support resources