I have hep B or C Is my liver healthy?
Why do I need to know if my liver is healthy?
If you have hep B or C, or are drinking too much, your liver could be damaged. If your liver is damaged, it can stop working properly and this can make you sick.
How do I find out if my liver is healthy?
Speak to your nurse, doctor or clinic about getting your liver checked. This is called a 'liver assessment' or a 'liver check'.
What is a liver check?
A liver check is usually done with blood tests and a fibroscan.
A fibroscan is like an ultrasound, it doesn’t hurt.
These tests will show your doctor or nurse how healthy your liver is.
They will also tell the doctor or nurse how much damage there is.
I don’t feel sick, why should I get a liver check?
You might have had hep B or C for years and don't feel sick. This doesn't mean that your liver is healthy.
What if my liver isn’t healthy?
If you have hep C, think about the new hep C cures. They are quicker and cure nearly everyone. Speak to your doctor or nurse about your options.
If you have hep B, have a liver check every 6 months. The checks might say you should start hep B treatment to help stop liver damage. Your liver might be unhealthy for other reasons, like drinking too much alcohol or being overweight. Talk to your doctor about how to stop more liver damage.
To talk about making healthy changes for your liver call the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990 or contact our Online Chat at www.hep.org.au 6 MONTHS
