Glossary
Liver glossary
Reports and consultations are full of words you may never have met. Here are short explanations, plus trustworthy places to read further.
- Hepatitis
- Inflammation of the liver. Viruses (A, B, C, E), alcohol, fat and some medicines can all cause it.
- Fibrosis
- Early scarring of the liver. Measured in stages; often reversible if the cause is treated.
- Cirrhosis
- Advanced, widespread scarring. The liver still works, but needs regular monitoring.
- Jaundice
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin from a build-up of bilirubin. A sign, not a disease.
- HBsAg
- The screening test for hepatitis B. Positive means the virus is present.
- HBV DNA
- Measures how much hepatitis B virus is in the blood. Guides whether treatment is needed.
- Anti-HCV
- Antibody test for hepatitis C. Positive means past exposure; a second test confirms if it is active.
- HCV RNA
- Confirms whether hepatitis C virus is still active in the blood.
- ALT / AST
- Liver enzymes. Raised levels suggest irritation or injury to liver cells.
- FibroScan
- A painless scan that measures liver stiffness (scarring) and fat.
- CAP
- The fat reading on a FibroScan, in dB/m. Higher means more fat.
- Ascites
- Fluid collecting in the abdomen, usually a sign of advanced liver disease.
- Varices
- Swollen veins in the food pipe caused by cirrhosis. They can bleed and need checking.
- Antiviral
- Medicine that stops a virus multiplying. Controls hepatitis B; cures hepatitis C.
Sources you can trust
There is a lot of nonsense about the liver online. These few places will not let you down.
- NIDDK (US)
Fatty liver disease
Why fat collects in the liver, who is at risk and what actually helps.
- WHO
Hepatitis B
How it spreads, who should be tested and how the vaccine protects.
- WHO
Hepatitis C
A curable infection. What testing and treatment look like today.
- NIDDK (US)
Cirrhosis
What scarring does to the liver and how complications are kept in check.
- Our guide
Liver tests and FibroScan
What each number on a report is trying to tell you.
- NIDDK (US)
Everyday liver care
Food, movement and the small habits that add up.
Appointments
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Serial hotline+880 1779-534882- Hours
- Sat–Thu, 3–5 PM · Friday closed
- Address
- Angel Drop, House 12, 1st floor, Uposohor, Rajshahi · Get directions