Signs, Symptoms & Testing
Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
Liver problems do not always show signs early.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Feeling very tired
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Pain or discomfort in the stomach area
- Swelling in the stomach or legs
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine (pee)
- Pale stools (poo)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- In more advanced cases: confusion or trouble concentrating
These symptoms can be linked to many health issues, it is important to get checked.
Liver damage over time (scarring of the liver)
Liver damage usually happens in stages:
- Healthy liver – works normally
- Fibrosis – early scarring begins
- Advanced Fibrosis – more scarring, liver works less well
- Cirrhosis – severe scarring, permanent damage
Many people have no symptoms at all
Many people with liver disease feel completely well, you can have liver damage and not know it.
- Liver damage can happen slowly over time
- You may not notice any changes at first
- Symptoms often appear later, when damage is more serious
This is why testing is important, even if you feel fine.
What is Fibrosis:
Healthy liver cells are replaced by scar tissue that damage liver function and disrupt blood flow. It is caused by chronic inflammation from viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, fat build-up or repeated injury, which then leads to fibrous scar tissue appearing in the liver.
Early stages of fibrosis can often be slowed or managed if found early.
Fibrosis can lead to:
- Advanced Fibrosis
- Cirrhosis
What is Cirrhosis:
Healthy liver tissue replaced by scar tissue that permanently damages your liver, stopping it from working properly. It is caused by (fibrosis), liver damage.
Cirrhosis can lead to:
- Serious health problems
- Liver failure
- Liver cancer – can develop when liver cells are damaged over a long period of time. People with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C have a higher risk.
Cirrhosis treatments can slow the progression of the disease.
How to check your liver health
There are simple ways to check your liver, a doctor or nurse can help you choose the right tests.
Blood Tests
A blood test can:
- Check how well your liver is working
- Look for infections like hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Show signs of liver damage
A doctor or nurse can organise this test.
Liver Scan (FibroScan)
A FibroScan is a quick and painless scan, it can:
- Check how stiff your liver is
- Helps detect scarring (fibrosis or cirrhosis)
- Does not involve needles
Not everyone needs this test, but it can be helpful for some people.
Ongoing Monitoring
If you have a liver condition, regular check-ups may include:
- Blood tests
- Liver scans
- Doctor visits
This helps track your liver health over time.
When to see a GP
You should see a GP if you:
- Notice any symptoms listed above
- Have risk factors for liver disease
- Have shared injecting equipment
- Think you may have been exposed to hepatitis
- Want a general liver health check
You can see a GP even if you feel well and just want to check your liver.
Free and local testing options
Hepatitis ACT offers free, confidential point-of-care testing for hepatitis B and C. No appointment needed – walk ins welcome.
Testing may be free in some other services as well.
Options can include:
- GP clinics
- Community health services
- The Canberra Hospital
- Private Gastroenterology Clinics
Hepatitis ACT can help connect you to local, safe, and confidential testing.
Take action early
- Testing is simple
- Liver disease can often be prevented or managed
- Early care can protect your liver
Getting checked is a simple first step.