Liver Screening
Liver Disease
Your liver is a resilient organ, but like any other body part, it should be well taken care of.
Unlike some other diseases, liver disease often goes undiagnosed because symptoms can be hard to detect or easily confused with other health issues. In fact, liver disease affects up to 1 in 4 people and can occur at any age.
With the right information about risk factors and screening options, you can take charge of your liver health.
Your Liver
Why Is the Liver Key to a Healthy Mind and Body?
Understanding how your liver functions is important because a healthy liver is essential for your overall health and well-being.
Your Liver
Keeps Your Body Moving
It's important to know that your liver works constantly to keep your body in motion, operating 24 hours a day. Not only does it perform the role of digesting and converting food and vitamins into energy, but it also creates many essential proteins for your body.
Your Liver
Is Resilient
The liver is an essential organ that possesses the ability to adjust to injury. Remarkably, even if up to 90% of the liver is removed, it can regrow to a normal size. This is a testament to the liver's exceptional regenerative abilities. Remember that overloading or exposing your liver to too many substances can increase liver injury.
Your Liver
Is a Skilled Multitasker
Your liver performs over 500 functions, so it may become exhausted without proper care. Some of these functions include filtering and breaking down all the medication, natural health products, and supplements that you consume.
What Can Cause Liver Diseases?
Your liver will always fight to keep you healthy, but the following risk factors* can increase your risk of developing one of the many different types of liver disease.
*These risk factors are not an exhaustive list and may not apply to all cases of liver disease.
Poor Diet
A diet with high levels of sugar and saturated fat can increase your risk of developing a fatty liver, which can lead to more severe liver conditions.
Medication
Even commonly used medications can cause liver damage, whether prescribed by your doctor or purchased over the counter.
Alcohol Consumption
Binge drinking may seem like fun in social settings, but over time, it can damage your liver cells and have a severe impact on your health and overall well-being.
Recent updates to the Canadian alcohol guidelines recommend that Canadians should limit themselves to just 2 drinks per week. To find out more click here.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Hepatitis is a liver disease that can be transmitted sexually, through unsafe sex practices. The most common forms are hepatitis A, B, and C. It is also important to stay up to date with your hepatitis vaccinations.
Intravenous (IV) Drug Use
Recreational drug use through IV can also lead to an increased risk of hepatitis C, which can be caused by sharing needles or other improperly sterilized or drug-related equipment.
Liver Diseases in Canada
In Canada, liver disease is a growing concern, affecting many individuals and families. Liver disease can be caused by several factors, including viral infections, the buildup of drugs, fat, or alcohol, autoimmune disorders, inherited conditions, and the presence of tumors or growths.
Screening Methods
How Is Liver Disease Detected?
Have you ever wondered how to tell if your liver is healthy or not? Did you know that many of the symptoms for liver disease can be easily confused with other health issues, making it difficult to identify? That’s why liver screening tests are so important for early diagnosis and treatment – which can substantially increase survival rates
Types of Liver Screening Tests
If your doctor feels that any of your recent symptoms might be related to liver disease, you may undergo one of the following liver screening tests:
In addition to blood tests, there are different methods for detecting liver disease through non-invasive imaging – the most common ones being ultrasound, CT, and an MRI.
Disclaimer: Not all liver disease patients will experience the same diagnostic pathway.
When Do You Need a Liver Scan?
This depends on the suspected disease issue and your doctor’s discretion, but if initial blood tests and ultrasound exams indicate issues with your liver, additional liver imaging can be done to assess its condition and help guide you through your treatment options.
What Is a Liver CT Scan?
A liver CT scan uses X-ray and computer technology to create detailed images of your liver, revealing any potential abnormalities.
CT scans may be done with or without the use of a contrast agent, which is an injected substance that allows the organ to be seen more clearly.
What Is a Liver MRI Scan?
A liver MRI scan uses a magnetic field to capture signals from the molecules in your body to create high-definition images.
In some cases, an MRI may be able to detect lesions that other screening methods may miss, or to visualize them more clearly.
What Is a Liver-Specific Contrast Medium and Why Might It Be Recommended?
In general, a contrast agent is a special substance that is used to enhance the appearance of certain structures in the body by increasing their contrast.
Usually, there are two types of MRI contrast agents that can be used for liver imaging: a multi-purpose and a liver-specific agent. Multi-purpose agents can be used to scan several organs in the body, while liver-specific agents target the liver and can provide additional information for diagnosis and/or treatment.
Not all MRI exams require a contrast agent, so it will depend on what the radiologist is looking for.
Resource Links
Liver Canada
Learn more on how to protect your liver health and prevent liver disease.
Resource links are not affiliated, associated, or in any way officially connected with Bayer.
PP-PF-RAD-CA-1021-1 June 2026