Silent liver disease (MASLD)
Fat building up in the liver in people whose alcohol intake is not the cause. Early on it rarely makes you feel unwell, which is why it is often called the silent liver disease. The NHS also lists it as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The basics
- It usually causes no symptoms. It is typically found when tests are done for another reason, and many people have it without realising. [1]
- It moves through four stages, from simple fatty liver to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis. Most people only have the first stage. [1]
- An estimated 4 in 5 people (80%) with MASH, the more advanced inflammatory form, are undiagnosed. [2]
- The core treatment the NHS records is healthy lifestyle change: a balanced diet, at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, and losing weight if overweight. [1]
The weight connection
The NHS records that the condition is often linked to being overweight, particularly fat carried around the stomach and waist, or to type 2 diabetes. [1]
What our blood test can see
Three of the ten markers we measure are liver enzymes: ALT, AST and GGT. A blood test alone does not diagnose or stage liver disease. Out-of-range results are a reason to speak to your GP, who may arrange scans and further tests.
HeMed provides clinician-led weight management. We do not diagnose or treat silent liver disease (MASLD). This page is general health information, not medical advice. If you are worried about symptoms, speak to your GP, or use NHS 111.
Related conditions
Sources
- NHS, "Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)", page last reviewed 31 July 2025. nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease. Accessed 3 September 2026.
- Liver UK (formerly the British Liver Trust), "Liver disease in numbers". liveruk.org. Accessed 3 September 2026.