Common symptoms
- Abnormal liver blood tests found by your GP or at a health check
- Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, especially after fatty meals
- Pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Itching
- Tiredness
- Pale, greasy, foul-smelling stools
Conditions diagnosed and managed
- Fatty liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD)
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Hepatitis — initial assessment
- Gallstones and biliary symptoms
- Pancreatitis and pancreatic symptoms — assessment
- Chronic liver disease — assessment and referral
Understanding liver, gallbladder and pancreatic conditions
The liver, gallbladder and pancreas all play a key part in digestion. Problems are often first picked up on a routine blood test or scan, before any symptoms develop. A gastroenterology assessment helps make sense of these results, identifies the likely cause, and decides whether further tests or specialist care are needed.
How Dr Khalid can help: Dr Khalid assesses and investigates common liver, gallbladder and pancreatic problems. Where specialist hepatology, liver transplant, hepatobiliary surgery or pancreatic expertise is needed, he will arrange referral to the appropriate specialist team and explain what to expect.
Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is now the most common cause of abnormal liver tests in the UK. It is now known as MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and is closely linked with excess weight, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Alcohol can also cause fatty liver. Most people do not develop serious liver damage, but assessing the degree of scarring (fibrosis) is important, and lifestyle changes can reverse the condition.
Abnormal liver function tests
“LFTs” are a group of blood tests. Abnormal results can be caused by fatty liver, alcohol, medicines, viral hepatitis, autoimmune conditions, inherited conditions such as haemochromatosis, gallstones and other causes. Working out the pattern of abnormality guides which further tests are needed.
Hepatitis and liver inflammation
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viruses (such as hepatitis B and C), alcohol, medicines or the immune system. Initial assessment and testing can identify the cause; ongoing specialist treatment for viral or autoimmune hepatitis is usually provided by a hepatology team.
Gallstones and biliary disorders
Gallstones are very common and often cause no symptoms. When they do, typical symptoms are episodes of pain in the upper right abdomen after eating. Gallstones can also block the bile duct or cause pancreatitis. Diagnosis usually involves an ultrasound scan; symptomatic gallstones are generally treated by surgical removal of the gallbladder, and Dr Khalid can arrange referral to a surgeon.
Pancreatitis and pancreatic conditions
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by gallstones or alcohol. Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency needing hospital care. After an episode, or where chronic pancreatic problems are suspected — for example pale, greasy stools suggesting the pancreas isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes — Dr Khalid can assess, investigate and coordinate referral to a specialist pancreatic team where needed.
How Dr Khalid investigates the problem
Dr Khalid will review your history, medicines, alcohol intake and previous results. Investigations may include:
- A full liver screen of blood tests to identify the cause
- Non-invasive assessment of liver scarring, such as the FIB-4 score or liver elastography (FibroScan) where available
- Ultrasound, CT or MRI scans of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas
- Stool tests for pancreatic function
- A gastroscopy where appropriate, for example to check for complications of chronic liver disease
Treatment and management
Many conditions, such as fatty liver disease and abnormal liver tests related to medicines or lifestyle, can be managed with clear advice, treatment of related conditions and monitoring. Where you need specialist liver, gallbladder or pancreatic treatment, Dr Khalid will make a timely referral to the right team, so you don’t lose time being passed between services.
When should you see a gastroenterologist?
See a specialist if your GP has found persistently abnormal liver tests, if a scan has shown fatty liver or gallstones, or if you have recurring upper abdominal pain after eating.
Book a private consultation at Spire Cheshire in Warrington or The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale.
When to seek urgent help
Don’t wait for a routine appointment. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stools or heavy rectal bleeding
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Food stuck and being unable to swallow
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes with fever or pain
Frequently asked questions
Is fatty liver disease serious?
For most people fatty liver does not progress to serious liver disease, but some develop scarring over time. Assessing the degree of scarring identifies who needs closer follow-up, and weight loss and lifestyle changes can reverse fatty liver.
Does Dr Khalid treat complex liver disease?
Dr Khalid assesses and investigates liver, gallbladder and pancreatic problems. Where specialist hepatology, transplant or surgical care is needed, he will arrange referral to the appropriate specialist team.
Do gallstones always need treatment?
No. Gallstones found by chance that cause no symptoms usually don’t need treatment. Gallstones that cause pain or complications are generally treated by surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Medically reviewed by Dr Sal Khalid, Consultant Gastroenterologist. Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a personal medical consultation.