Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD): Specialist Care
MASLD (formerly known as NAFLD) is a very common condition caused by a build-up of fat in the liver. If left unchecked, it can lead to severe liver damage. Dr Nadir Abbas is a metabolic and fatty liver specialist in Birmingham.
Dr Abbas offers specialist care, including advanced FibroScan technology, to assess your liver health, reverse early damage, and protect you from long-term complications.
What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD)?
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, recently renamed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), is a condition where excess fat builds up inside your liver cells. It is not caused by alcohol, but rather by metabolic issues such as excess weight, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes.
A healthy liver should contain little or no fat. When fat accumulates, it can trigger inflammation (MASH) and eventually cause irreversible liver scars (cirrhosis).
As a top fatty liver specialist in Birmingham, Dr Abbas provides comprehensive, tailored care to halt and often reverse this condition by focusing on the vital connection between your gut, metabolism, and liver health.
As Seen On
Stages of Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD)
MASLD develops in four main stages. Dr Nadir uses advanced, painless scans to pinpoint exactly where your liver stands:
Simple Fatty Liver (Steatosis)
A largely harmless build-up of fat in the liver cells. You will usually have no symptoms, and it is often detected during a routine blood test or ultrasound.
MASH (Steatohepatitis)
This is a more serious stage where the excess fat causes inflammation in the liver, meaning the liver tissue is becoming damaged.
Fibrosis
Persistent inflammation produces scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels. The liver can still function quite well at this stage.
Cirrhosis
The most severe stage. The liver shrinks and becomes heavily scarred. This damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
MASLD is often called a silent disease because it usually has no symptoms in the early stages. If symptoms do occur, you may notice:
- Severe tiredness (fatigue)
- A dull ache or pain in the top right of your abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
If the condition progresses to cirrhosis, you might experience:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Itchy skin
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen (fluid retention)
Causes of MASLD
You are more at risk of developing MASLD if you have metabolic syndrome or related conditions. The main triggers include:
Excess Weight or Obesity
Particularly if you carry a lot of weight around your middle (visceral fat).
Type 2 Diabetes & Insulin Resistance
When your body cannot use insulin properly, fat builds up in the liver.
High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol
High levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol in your blood are strongly linked to a fatty liver.
Age and Genetics
MASLD is more common in people over 50, and certain genes may make you more susceptible.
How Does Our Specialist Diagnose MASLD?
Dr Nadir uses highly accurate, modern tests to confirm the amount of fat in your liver and check for any dangerous scarring.
Specialist Consultation
You will have a 30-minute talk with Dr Nadir to map out your health history, focusing on your diet, lifestyle, and metabolic risk factors.
Special Blood Tests
We check your liver function and look for markers of inflammation, diabetes, and cholesterol.
FibroScan
This is a quick, safe, and painless ultrasound-like scan. It measures liver stiffness (to check for scars) and precisely measures the amount of fat in your liver. We do not use needles.
Advanced Ultrasound or MRI
Detailed imaging to look at the structure of your liver and rule out other conditions.
Treatments for Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD)
Lifestyle and Dietary Management
The most effective treatment for MASLD is losing weight safely. Dr Nadir and his team of specialist dietitians at House of Health will create a tailored, sustainable nutrition programme for you. Losing just 10% of your body weight can remove liver fat and significantly reduce inflammation.
Medical Management
While there is no single pill to cure MASLD, Dr Nadir focuses on controlling the metabolic conditions that cause it.
- Metabolic Control: We optimise your medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Certain modern diabetes medications can also actively help reduce liver fat.
- Clinical Trials & Newer Medications: As an active researcher, Dr Nadir stays at the forefront of emerging therapies for MASH treatment in the UK and can advise on the latest, safest medical options.
Complication Control
If your condition has advanced to cirrhosis, Dr Nadir provides expert, ongoing surveillance. He will arrange regular scans to monitor for liver cancer and use advanced endoscopy if needed to manage varices (swollen veins).
Comprehensive Metabolic & Liver Care by Dr Nadir
Because MASLD is driven by metabolic factors like weight and diabetes, you need a holistic approach. Dr Nadir leads a multidisciplinary team at House of Health, giving you seamless access to specialist dietitians, endocrinologists, and weight management experts all under one roof.
Dr Nadir Abbas
MBBS, MRCP (London), ESEGH, PhD
Consultant Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist
Director of Private Gut and Liver Services at House of Health
Dr Nadir Abbas is an award-winning NHS consultant and internationally recognised researcher who brings world-class expertise in gut and liver disorders to House of Health as Director of Gut & Liver Private Services in Birmingham, UK.
He combines expert patient care with internationally recognised research in liver and digestive disorders. Dr Abbas has contributed to British guidelines on the management of liver cirrhosis, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences.
At House of Health, he leads a multidisciplinary team providing personalised care for complex gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
Highlights:
- 14+ years of clinical experience.
- A PhD specifically in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) from the University of Birmingham, UK.
- Specialist in all aspects of liver diseases, including PBC, autoimmune hepatitis, PSC, Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD/MASH), IBS, IBD, GORD, pancreatic and biliary disorders, alongside general gastroenterology issues.
- Research expertise in primary biliary cholangitis and liver cirrhosis.
- International conference speaker and published author.
- Leads a multidisciplinary team of dietitians, radiologists, GPs, and gut-directed therapists.
- Skilled in advanced endoscopy and comprehensive digestive investigations.
Ready to Protect Your Liver?
Get expert fatty liver care from Dr Nadir Abbas, a leading MASLD specialist with 14+ years of dedicated experience in metabolic liver disease. Take control of your liver health today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If caught in the early stages (Simple Steatosis or early MASH), the liver can heal itself. A structured weight-loss programme and a healthy diet can completely reverse fat build-up and stop inflammation.
No. MASLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) specifically refers to fat build-up in people who drink little to no alcohol. It is driven by diet, weight, and metabolic issues.
MASLD is the broad term for having too much fat in your liver. MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis) is a more aggressive stage in which fat has begun to cause active inflammation and cell damage.
Usually, no. Dr Abbas uses advanced FibroScan technology. This quick, painless scan gives us all the information we need about fat levels and scarring without needles.
A balanced diet low in refined sugars, saturated fats, and processed foods is crucial. The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended. Our specialist dietitians at House of Health will build a personalised eating plan that fits your lifestyle.
Not necessarily. Research shows that losing just 7% to 10% of your total body weight can make a massive difference, significantly reducing liver fat and calming inflammation.
Feedback from Our Happy Patients
"We experienced high class service at House of Health from the doctors. Thank you for seeing us promptly."
"House of Health is really just that! My experience has been nothing short of delightful and I am so happy I have discovered this clinic! The staff are warm and welcoming, the clinic is immaculate and the Dr's are extremely knowledgeable. This for me is a life changing service and I am so grateful."
"A seamless experience to date. The clinic is very well presented and a step up from my usual GP clinic. Dr Anita is lovely and really makes you feel heard. The patient coordinator Megan has been extremely helpful and always on hand to answer all of my queries."
"Got an appointment for next day really quick. Dr. Sharan Wadhwani was incredibly professional and gave me a really quick diagnosis and weeks of fretting and worrying were over in seconds. The whole team were really polite and welcoming."
"Great service! I was able to get an appointment the same day, and the whole process was easy and smooth. Highly recommend!"
"From the moment you step into the clinic, the welcoming atmosphere and professionalism of the staff put you at ease. Dr. Raja is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about your well being."
"A wonderful clinic with caring, dedicated doctors. We have never experienced such care before. Efficient and high class."
"I was able to book a same-day appointment online, which was incredibly convenient. The GP was absolutely lovely—so knowledgeable, attentive, and reassuring throughout the appointment. I felt truly listened to and cared for."
"House of Health is a 5 star service. From booking, being seen by the doctor to medications – everything was a breeze. Thank you to the doctors for providing such a high quality service."
We Accept The Following Insurance
Request a Callback
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you to arrange your consultation.