UPMC Liver Steatosis and Metabolic Wellness Program

If you have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease (MASLD) – formally nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we can help.

Doctors at UPMC are experts in treating people with this disease.

What Is Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatosis Liver Disease?

While most people link liver problems to drinking too much alcohol, one in three Americans have MASLD. It occurs when large amounts of fat build up in the liver.

If doctors catch it early, you can often reverse MASLD with lifestyle changes such as increased exercise and healthy eating.

MASLD Risks and Symptoms

People who are overweight or have diabetes are at the highest risk for this type of liver disease.

Left untreated, people with MASLD can get metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) – formerly nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

MASH is a severe form of fatty liver disease that leads to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and, in time, liver failure.

You may not know you have MASLD, as the symptoms can be like those of other diseases.

Common symptoms of MASLD include:

• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain, especially on the right side
• Swelling in the legs

MASLD Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors at UPMC assess, diagnose, and treat people with MASLD.

To confirm a diagnosis of MASLD, most people will have a liver biopsy.

But at our clinic, we use cutting-edge, noninvasive imaging techniques. In most cases, these techniques let doctors diagnose MASLD without the need for a liver biopsy.

These tools also help doctors stage your liver disease, which allows them to prescribe a treatment plan to meet your needs.

Sadly, there's no quick fix or cure for MASLD.

To start, your doctors will suggest lifestyle changes to reverse MASLD.

These changes include:

• Stopping or limiting alcohol use.
• Eating a healthier diet.
• Restricting calories and sugar intake.
• Working out.
• Losing weight.

If lifestyle changes don't help your symptoms, the next step is to try weight-loss drugs.

And if that doesn't work, your doctor may suggest gastric bypass or gastric sleeve weight loss surgery as a last resort.

Why Choose the UPMC Liver Steatosis and Metabolic Wellness Program?

The doctors at UPMC strictly focus on caring for people with MASLD.

We offer:

• A highly trained care team. Our doctors take a team approach to treating MASLD, so you're sure to receive complete care. Your care team may include experts in endocrine diseases, heart health, liver transplant, and weight loss.
• State-of-the-art technologies. At UPMC, we use the high-tech equipment to diagnose fatty liver disease.
• Advanced MASLD treatments. If lifestyle changes aren't enough to reverse your disease, we offer the most up-to-date treatment options.
• Convenient care. We work with UPMC endocrinologists so you can schedule liver treatment and metabolic checkups in the same place. And bloodwork and imaging tests happen in the same building, so there's no need to go elsewhere for all you care.
• Cutting-edge research. Our doctors lead research on the diagnosis and treatment of MASLD. Your doctor may suggest you take part in a clinical trial at UPMC.