If you need treatment for liver disease, you should first consult a gastroenterologist.
Gastroenterologist = doctor who treats the entire digestive system
Your gastroenterologist may suggest you see a hepatologist.
Hepatologist = Gastroenterologist who focuses on liver problems
Some of the conditions that hepatologists treat include:
- cirrhosis
- hepatitis
- Liver cancer
- Liver failure
- Steatohepatitis associated with metabolic dysfunction (SADM), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Your hepatologist may do some tests to see what’s happening to your liver. This includes:
- Blood tests, including tests to check enzymes and liver function
- Blood tests to detect viral infections such as hepatitis
- Ultrasound or other imaging tests
- Liver biopsy
Even if you have blood tests to evaluate your liver, your doctor may suggest further tests to check for symptoms such as liver cirrhosis.
How do you know which doctor to see?
Start with your primary care doctor. If necessary, he or she can refer you to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist.
The earlier liver disease is detected, the better the chances of a good clinical outcome.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
