Liver Health Check: How to Tell If Your Liver Is in Trouble

The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body, silently performing over 500 life-sustaining functions every day. While ancient cultures once believed the liver to be the seat of courage owing to its blood-rich appearance, modern medicine has revealed its true role as a powerhouse of detoxification, metabolism, and immune regulation. Unlike other organs, the liver can regenerate itself after damage, but that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Liver disease often progresses silently, showing no symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why understanding the signs of a healthy liver, the risks of liver dysfunction, and how to test liver function early is essential for maintaining long-term health.

The best way to determine whether your liver is functioning properly is through a liver function blood test, also called a liver panel. These tests measure enzymes, proteins, and substances such as bilirubin in your blood that reflect how well your liver is working. Elevated levels of enzymes like ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), for example, can indicate liver inflammation or damage. While these changes might not cause any symptoms initially, they can be early warning signs of liver disease, which, if caught early, is often treatable. Testing your liver health regularly can be a life-saving decision, especially if you have risk factors such as alcohol use, viral infections, or a family history of liver disease.

What Does the Liver Do?

Your liver is located in the upper right side of your abdomen, just above your stomach. It’s roughly the size of a rugby ball and weighs about 1.5 kilograms. Often described as a "chemical factory," the liver processes everything you consume, from food and drinks to medication. It converts nutrients into energy, stores vitamins and minerals, and breaks down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins to keep your body functioning efficiently.

One of the liver’s most important functions is detoxification. It removes harmful substances, including alcohol, drugs, and metabolic waste products, from your blood. It also produces bile, a yellow-brown fluid that helps digest fats and eliminate waste. Furthermore, the liver plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and producing proteins that help blood clot, which is why people with liver failure often experience bruising and bleeding problems. It even helps regulate your immune response through specialised immune cells known as Kupffer cells, which help destroy bacteria and other harmful invaders in your bloodstream.

How to Keep Your Liver Healthy

Maintaining optimal liver health begins with lifestyle choices. According to the NHS and Public Health England, alcohol is one of the most common causes of liver disease in the UK. Drinking more than the recommended 14 units per week significantly increases the risk of liver inflammation and scarring, a condition known as cirrhosis. To protect your liver, limit your alcohol intake, and consider alcohol-free days each week to allow your liver time to recover.

Another critical factor in liver health is a balanced diet. Eating foods rich in fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, helps your liver metabolise fats and prevent fat buildup, which can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is becoming increasingly common and is strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water also supports the liver's ability to flush out toxins. Exercise is equally important, as it helps reduce fat deposits around the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Lastly, practicing safe sex and avoiding needle sharing can help prevent hepatitis B and C, viral infections that cause chronic liver inflammation.

How to Know if Your Liver Is Working Properly?

The tricky thing about liver disease is that it often progresses without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. By the time you experience fatigue, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or abdominal pain, the liver may already be severely damaged. The only reliable way to know whether your liver is functioning properly is through regular liver blood tests.

Liver function tests (LFTs) analyse blood levels of enzymes like ALT and AST, as well as proteins such as albumin and substances like bilirubin. Abnormal results can point to inflammation, impaired bile flow, or reduced liver synthetic function. These tests can be requested through your GP or done privately using a home blood test kit, which is a convenient and needle-free alternative to traditional phlebotomy. With a simple finger prick, you can collect a small sample and post it to a lab. Results are typically available in 3-5 working days. This makes liver health monitoring accessible, especially for those with busy lifestyles or limited access to a GP.

Symptoms of Liver Disease to Watch Out For

Although liver disease is often silent at first, it can eventually lead to serious and noticeable symptoms. If you begin to feel unusually tired, lose your appetite, or experience nausea, these may be early signs. In more advanced stages, liver disease can cause jaundice, itchy skin, swelling in the legs or abdomen, confusion (due to toxin buildup in the brain), and increased bruising or bleeding. Loss of libido and unexplained weight loss may also occur.

If these symptoms develop, it indicates that liver damage may already be present. At this point, managing the condition becomes more complex, involving medication, dietary changes, and possibly referral to a specialist. However, early detection through liver function tests can help avoid this trajectory. Identifying subtle biochemical changes before symptoms arise gives you the best chance of reversing liver damage or slowing its progression. The earlier you act, the better your outcome.

The Medimob Screening Take

The liver works tirelessly to support your body every single day, yet many people are unaware when theirs begins to fail. Because liver disease often shows no symptoms until it is well-advanced, relying solely on how you feel is not enough. A proactive approach including regular liver function testing and lifestyle changes is the smartest way to protect this vital organ.

Our home liver blood test kits provide a quick, painless way to check in on your liver from the comfort of home. With medically-reviewed results and personalised health insights, you can make informed decisions and take control of your long-term wellbeing. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. If you're serious about prevention, let Medimob Screenings help you understand what your liver is telling you.

References

NHS. (2022). Liver function tests. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-function-test/ [Accessed 20 July 2025].

NHS. (2022). Alcohol-related liver disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-related-liver-disease/ [Accessed 20 July 2025].

Chalasani, N. et al. (2018). The diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology, 67(1), pp.328-357.

World Health Organization. (2022). Hepatitis B. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b [Accessed 20 July 2025].

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2021). Cirrhosis in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE guideline [NG50]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng50 [Accessed 20 July 2025].