🫁 Gastroenterology · Liver & Metabolic Care
Fatty Liver Disease Clinic Seoul
English-friendly evaluation in Gangnam for ultrasound-detected liver fat, elevated liver enzymes, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol concerns and possible liver fibrosis.
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Liver-test interpretation
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Fibrosis-risk assessment
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Metabolic treatment plan
Liver Health Pathway
Assessing fat, inflammation and fibrosis risk
LIVER FAT
Excess fat may accumulate without obvious symptoms
KEY QUESTION
Is there inflammation or liver scarring?
STEATOSIS
Fat accumulation
MASH
Fat with inflammation
FIBROSIS
Scar-tissue formation
CIRRHOSIS
Advanced scarring
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The amount of liver fat does not always show the risk of future liver damage. Fibrosis assessment is an important part of evaluation.
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English-Friendly Consultation
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Gastroenterology & Liver Care
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Metabolic Risk Assessment
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Long-Term Monitoring Plan
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver is often silent—but it should not be automatically ignored.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, is the current name for the condition previously called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. It occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver alongside metabolic risk factors.
Many people discover fatty liver during an ultrasound or routine blood test and have no symptoms. The important clinical question is not only whether fat is present, but whether there is inflammation or fibrosis that could progress over time.
At Apgujeong Hana Clinic, we review liver results together with glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight pattern, alcohol exposure, medicines and other possible causes of liver disease.
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Liver Steatosis
Excess fat is stored inside liver cells, often without obvious symptoms.
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MASH
Some patients develop liver-cell injury and inflammation in addition to fat accumulation.
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Fibrosis
Repeated liver injury may lead to scar tissue, which is an important predictor of future liver risk.
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Metabolic Connection
Fatty liver commonly occurs alongside insulin resistance, diabetes, high triglycerides or excess abdominal weight.
Who Is At Higher Risk?
Fatty liver is closely connected to metabolic health.
MASLD can occur in people of different body sizes. Risk assessment considers the complete metabolic pattern rather than weight alone.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes and insulin resistance increase the likelihood of fatty liver and clinically important fibrosis.
Overweight or Obesity
Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, may increase liver-fat accumulation and metabolic risk.
High Triglycerides
Elevated triglycerides or other abnormal cholesterol patterns commonly occur alongside MASLD.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension may be part of the broader metabolic pattern associated with fatty liver.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome may be associated with insulin resistance and increased fatty-liver risk.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea commonly overlaps with metabolic disease and may require separate assessment.
Family & Genetic Risk
Genetic differences and family history can influence liver-fat accumulation and progression risk.
Certain Medicines
Selected medicines can contribute to liver fat or abnormal liver tests and should be reviewed.
Alcohol Exposure
Alcohol and metabolic risk can coexist, so drinking pattern should be discussed accurately and without judgement.
Understanding The Disease Spectrum
Not everyone with fatty liver develops advanced liver disease.
01
Steatosis
Fat is present in the liver, but there may be little or no liver-cell injury.
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MASH
Fat accumulation is accompanied by liver-cell injury and inflammation.
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Fibrosis
Scar tissue develops as the liver responds to ongoing injury and inflammation.
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Cirrhosis
Advanced scarring changes liver structure and increases the risk of complications.
Fibrosis risk matters more than liver fat alone
Ultrasound may show fat, but it cannot reliably determine whether clinically important inflammation or scarring is present. Blood-based fibrosis assessment and elastography may be considered according to risk.
Fatty Liver Evaluation
Assessment looks at the liver and the metabolic drivers.
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Medical History
We review previous liver results, weight changes, diabetes, cholesterol, medicines and family history.
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Alcohol Assessment
Amount, frequency and drinking pattern are considered because several causes of liver disease may coexist.
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Medicine & Supplement Review
Prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and herbal supplements are checked for possible liver effects.
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Metabolic Review
Glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and body-weight pattern are considered.
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Other Liver Causes
Viral hepatitis, immune disease and other causes may need to be excluded according to the clinical pattern.
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Fibrosis Risk
Blood-based scores, elastography or specialist assessment may be used to evaluate possible liver scarring.
Possible Liver Testing
Testing is selected to confirm the pattern and estimate fibrosis risk.
Liver Blood Tests
ALT, AST and other liver-related markers may indicate liver injury or changes in liver function.
Blood Testing
Complete Blood Count
Platelet count and other results may contribute to fibrosis-risk calculations and broader assessment.
Risk Assessment
Glucose & HbA1c
Identifies prediabetes, diabetes and glucose-control concerns that may influence liver risk.
Metabolic Health
Cholesterol & Triglycerides
Reviews lipid abnormalities associated with MASLD and cardiovascular risk.
Lipid Profile
Liver Ultrasound
Imaging may identify liver fat and evaluate selected structural, gallbladder or bile-duct concerns.
Imaging
FIB-4 or Similar Score
Age and routine blood results may be combined to estimate whether additional fibrosis assessment is needed.
Non-Invasive
Liver Elastography
Measures liver stiffness and may help estimate fibrosis when blood-based assessment indicates increased risk.
Fibrosis Testing
Liver Biopsy
Considered in selected patients when diagnosis, inflammation or fibrosis stage cannot be clarified non-invasively.
Selected Cases
Normal liver enzymes do not completely exclude significant liver disease
Liver-enzyme levels can change over time and may be normal in some patients with MASLD. Fibrosis risk should be assessed using the complete clinical pattern rather than one laboratory result.
Liver & Metabolic Health
Treating fatty liver also means treating the conditions connected to it.
Personalised Fatty Liver Treatment
Treatment aims to reduce liver injury and long-term health risk.
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Sustainable Nutrition
The plan focuses on balanced eating, portion awareness and reducing patterns that worsen metabolic risk.
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Regular Activity
Aerobic movement and resistance exercise may improve metabolic health even before major weight change occurs.
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Gradual Weight Reduction
When medically appropriate, gradual weight loss can reduce liver fat and may improve inflammation or fibrosis.
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Diabetes Treatment
Glucose-lowering treatment is selected according to diabetes control, weight goals and overall health.
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Lipid Management
Cholesterol and triglycerides are managed as part of cardiovascular-risk reduction.
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Alcohol Guidance
Alcohol recommendations consider fibrosis risk, drinking pattern and other liver conditions.
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Medicine Review
Treatments and supplements are checked for liver effects, interactions and unnecessary risks.
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Long-Term Monitoring
Liver tests, metabolic markers and fibrosis risk are reviewed at an interval appropriate to your condition.
Liver-specific medicine is only appropriate for selected patients
Some adults with confirmed MASH and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis may qualify for specialist-directed medication. Treatment availability, eligibility and monitoring depend on fibrosis stage, other conditions and local regulatory approval.
Protecting Your Liver
Avoid unproven products that may create additional liver injury.
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Herbal Supplements
Natural does not always mean liver-safe. Some herbal or weight-loss products can cause liver injury.
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Multiple Supplements
Combining vitamins, powders and extracts can make it difficult to identify the cause of abnormal liver tests.
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Heavy Alcohol Use
Alcohol may worsen liver injury and can coexist with metabolic fatty-liver disease.
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Rapid Weight Loss
Extreme diets are difficult to maintain and may not provide safe, balanced long-term treatment.
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“Liver Detox” Products
Detox products do not replace medical evaluation, metabolic treatment or fibrosis assessment.
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Unsupervised Medicine Changes
Do not stop prescribed cholesterol, diabetes or other medicine solely because liver tests are abnormal.
Seek Prompt Medical Care
Advanced liver symptoms require timely assessment.
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Yellow Skin or Eyes
Jaundice may indicate significant liver or bile-duct dysfunction and needs prompt evaluation.
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Rapid Abdominal Swelling
New abdominal swelling, leg swelling or rapid fluid-related weight gain needs medical review.
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Confusion or Unusual Drowsiness
New confusion, altered behaviour or marked sleepiness can be a sign of severe liver dysfunction.
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Vomiting Blood or Black Stool
Digestive bleeding may occur with advanced liver disease or another gastrointestinal condition.
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Fever With Abdominal Pain
Fever, severe abdominal pain or worsening illness requires prompt medical assessment.
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Rapid Unexplained Weight Loss
Progressive weight loss, weakness or loss of appetite should not be assumed to be uncomplicated fatty liver.
Your Appointment
How fatty-liver evaluation and follow-up works.
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Review Your Results
We review liver enzymes, ultrasound reports, previous diagnoses and changes over time.
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Assess Metabolic Risk
Glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight pattern, medicines and alcohol exposure are considered.
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Estimate Fibrosis Risk
Blood-based assessment, imaging or elastography may be recommended according to your risk profile.
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Build Your Liver Plan
You receive English guidance on metabolic treatment, lifestyle, monitoring and referral when needed.
FAQ
Fatty-liver questions, answered.
Bring previous liver blood tests, ultrasound or CT reports, medication lists and records of diabetes or cholesterol treatment.
MASLD is the current medical term for fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction. The condition was previously called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD.
Yes. Liver enzymes may be normal even when liver fat or fibrosis is present. Assessment should consider imaging, metabolic risk and non-invasive fibrosis evaluation rather than relying on one blood result.
Ultrasound may detect liver fat, but it does not reliably determine whether MASH or clinically important fibrosis is present. Additional blood-based assessment or elastography may be needed.
Yes. MASLD can occur in people who are not classified as overweight. Genetics, abdominal fat, insulin resistance, diabetes, cholesterol and other metabolic factors may contribute.
Liver fat and inflammation may improve when metabolic drivers are treated. The degree of reversibility depends on fibrosis stage, other liver conditions and how consistently treatment is maintained.
Most patients do not begin with liver biopsy. Blood-based scores and elastography can often estimate fibrosis risk. Biopsy may be considered when diagnosis or disease stage remains uncertain.
Do not stop prescribed treatment without medical advice. Cholesterol management can be important in MASLD because cardiovascular risk is a major concern. The cause and degree of liver-test elevation should be reviewed first.
Message WhatsApp +82 10-2950-7551, call 02) 3443-7550 or use Naver Booking. Apgujeong Hana Clinic is located in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul.
Related Services
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Fatty liver found on an ultrasound or blood test?
Book an English-friendly fatty-liver and fibrosis-risk evaluation at Apgujeong Hana Clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam.