What Is a Hepatologist?

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Hepatologists are medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and manage problems associated with your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.

Liver problems are a growing issue around the world, with conditions like cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis affecting the lives of millions of people each year.

In the U.S. alone, 1.8% of all adults live with some type of diagnosed liver disease. These health trends show the importance of medical professionals like hepatologists who can help to treat and manage liver conditions and reduce the risk of further liver damage.

What Does a Hepatologist Do?

Hepatologists most often see people who have health conditions related to the liver. Some of the most common health issues they treat include alcohol-related liver disease, hepatitis, and liver cancer.

Hepatologists work to identify which hepatic organ is most affected and to which degree, so they can diagnose the condition and identify the best treatment for it. 

Once a branch of gastroenterology, hepatology has developed into its medical field with its subspecialties.

Education and Training

Hepatologists go through medical school and complete advanced training with certifications.

This process involves completing:

What Conditions Does a Hepatologist Treat?

Hepatologists treat many conditions, including:

Reasons to See a Hepatologist

Your doctor is typically the healthcare professional who will refer you to a hepatologist. They might refer you to this specialist based on their assessment of some concerning symptoms or signs, including the following: 

You Have a Liver Condition

These might include cirrhosis, hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

You Have Abnormal Liver Function Test Results

Liver function blood tests check for how your liver enzymes and proteins are working. If your blood tests show results that are too high or too low, it can indicate problems with your liver, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or medication overdoses. 

You Have a Symptom of Liver Problems

These may include:

Sudden gastrointestinal bleeding. Sudden bleeding from your upper GI tract could mean you have a hemorrhage from liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis scarring on the liver, which can happen due to hepatitis or chronic heavy drinking, can lead to lesions and abnormal veins in your esophagus and stomach. These lesions can rupture and cause bleeding or vomiting of blood.

Jaundice is when your skin and whites of the eyes take on a yellowish tone. This yellow color comes from the accumulation of bilirubin, a type of bile pigment that forms from the breakdown of hemoglobin.

When bilirubin builds up, it means that your liver isn’t working like it should move bilirubin into the digestive tract. 

You might develop jaundice from hepatitis, bile duct blockage, acetaminophen overdose, auto-immune diseases, or toxin poisoning, all of which can lead to liver damage or even liver failure.

Deep yellow or brown-colored urine can accompany jaundice of the skin and eyes. Dark yellow or brown urine could be a sign that your liver and kidneys aren’t working properly, or that you have developed a urinary tract infection. It might also be a reaction to certain medications that your liver is having trouble breaking down.

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## What Is a Hepatologist?



**Definition:**



A hepatologist is a medical doctor specialized in ⁣the​ diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases related ‌to the⁤ liver, gallbladder, ⁢bile ducts,‍ and pancreas. They‌ possess⁢ expertise in gastroenterology and liver transplantation.



## What Does a Hepatologist Do?



Hepatologists perform ‌a wide range of ‍duties, including:



-⁢ **Diagnosis and Treatment:** Identifying and treating liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty ​liver disease, and liver ⁣cancer.

– **Non-Invasive Procedures:** Performing ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and liver biopsies to evaluate liver health.

– **Invasive Procedures:** Conducts endoscopic interventions, liver biopsies, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures.

– **Consultation:** Provides⁤ expert advice to‍ other healthcare professionals on liver-related issues.

– **Liver Transplantation:** Assessing patients​ for liver transplant, coordinating surgery, and managing post-transplant ⁤care.



## Qualifications and Training



To become⁣ a hepatologist, ‌a doctor must complete the following steps:



– **Medical School:**‍ Obtain an MD or DO degree.

– **Residency:** ⁣Complete⁣ a 3-year residency in‌ Internal Medicine or Pediatrics.

– **Gastroenterology Fellowship:** Undergo a 3-year fellowship in Gastroenterology.

– **Hepatology Subspecialty Fellowship:** Complete ⁤a 1-2 year subspecialty fellowship in Hepatology.

– **Board Certification:** Pass the American Board of Internal Medicine subspecialty examination in Hepatology.



## Subspecialties of Hepatology



Within hepatology, there are further subspecialties that focus on specific areas:



– **Interventional Hepatology:** Emphasizes minimally invasive​ procedures to‍ diagnose and treat liver diseases.

– **Transplant Hepatology:** Specializes in liver transplantation and post-transplant management.

– **Pediatric⁣ Hepatology:** ⁢Cares for ⁤children with liver diseases.



## When to ‍Consult a Hepatologist



Individuals who experience symptoms of liver disease, such as:



– Jaundice‍ (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

– Abdominal pain and swelling

– ‍Fatigue

– Nausea and vomiting

– Dark urine

– Clay-colored stools



should consult a hepatologist for ‌evaluation ‍and management. Regular‌ check-ups‌ are also recommended for those with risk factors for liver disease, including:



– Alcoholism

– ⁣Hepatitis B or C infection

– Obesity

– Autoimmune diseases (e.g.,⁤ autoimmune ⁤hepatitis)