Enlarged Liver – Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Tissue Sample Testing

Doctors can learn more about what is causing the problem by taking a tissue sample from the liver. During this test, a thin needle collects a small part of the liver.

Experts in a lab then check the tissue for signs of steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver damage, or chronic problems such as fibrosis. Doctors often suggest this test when imaging studies or blood work show something unusual.

Other Useful Examinations

Doctors also use special blood checks and imaging tests. Blood tests measure liver enzyme levels, check for viral infections like hepatitis A, B, or C, and look for signs such as swelling, liver failure, or confusion.

Noticing jaundice, fatigue, or bruising can help too. Imaging tests such as ultrasonography, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide pictures of the liver.

Noninvasive techniques, like magnetic resonance elastography, allow doctors to see liver stiffness. These methods reveal hepatic steatosis or signs of swelling without a tissue sample.

Sometimes, a hepatologist guides the evaluation in complex liver diseases like sclerosing cholangitis or glycogen storage disorders.

Treatment

Managing the cause may include weight loss, exercise, dietary changes, and sometimes medication. Doctors focus on treating the underlying condition, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or alcohol-related liver damage.

Common treatment steps may include:

• Lifestyle Changes: Eating a balanced diet, limiting saturated fats and sugars, avoiding alcohol, and getting regular physical activity can help reduce liver size and improve liver function.
• Weight Management: Losing excess weight can lower fat in the liver and reduce inflammation.
• Blood Sugar Control: Managing diabetes or insulin resistance supports liver health.
• Cholesterol-Lowering Strategies: Addressing high cholesterol may prevent further liver complications.
• Antiviral Therapy: If hepatitis B or C is present, doctors may recommend specific treatments to reduce liver inflammation.
• Reducing Medication Risks: In some cases, stopping or adjusting medications that stress the liver can help.
• Monitoring and Imaging: Regular follow-ups and imaging tests help track liver size and function over time.

In more serious cases, especially if cirrhosis or advanced liver disease is present, further medical interventions or specialist care may be needed.

Getting Ready for Your Visit

Steps You Can Take

Before meeting with a doctor about liver concerns, prepare in advance. Call ahead and ask if you need to follow any instructions, such as not eating before blood tests.

You may need to fast for checking cholesterol, triglyceride levels, or other labs.

To make the appointment more useful, write down your symptoms, even if they do not seem to link with the liver. Note when each symptom started. Bring a full list of medications, vitamins, and supplements with dosages.

Gather your personal and family medical history—especially any history of liver disease, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension (high blood pressure), or alcohol use.

This information helps the doctor look for possible risk factors or patterns.

Questions for the doctor may include:

• What could be causing my symptoms?
• Which tests do I need?
• Is this a short-term or chronic issue?
• What are the treatment options?
• What lifestyle changes might help (for example, reducing alcohol consumption or lowering fat intake)?
• Are there any restrictions I should follow?
• Should I see a liver specialist?
• Will there be follow-up visits?
• Where can I get more information?

Bring a friend or family member to help remember the doctor’s advice. Write things down during the visit.