Love Your Liver – Why Liver Health Matters More Than You Think

By Dr Bláthnaid Carlin, Duality Healthcare

When we talk about women’s health, the conversation often focuses on hormones, reproductive wellbeing, or mental health. But one crucial organ often gets forgotten — the liver.

As a GP with a special interest in preventative health, I want to shine a light on this hard-working organ that operates behind the scenes. Liver function is essential, yet liver disease often progresses silently, with no obvious symptoms. That’s why screening and proactive care are crucial, especially for women.

What Does the Liver Do?

Your liver is one of the most hardworking organs in the body. It performs over 500 essential functions including:

• Breaking down toxins
• Processing medications
• Regulating hormones
• Storing nutrients
• Aiding digestion
• Producing proteins for blood clotting and immunity

In short, it keeps everything ticking along.

Why Liver Health is a Women’s Issue

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing issue, especially among women in their 30s and 40s. It’s linked to being overweight, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors. Worryingly, NAFLD can go undetected until it becomes fibrosis or liver cancer.

Heart health is also linked to liver function. As women, we’re more likely to die from heart disease than breast cancer — yet it’s rarely spoken about in the same way. And liver health plays a key role in heart and metabolic wellbeing.

What Are the Signs?

Some signs of liver strain are easy to miss. For instance, persistent itching — especially on the hands and feet — can be a subtle sign of liver issues. Other symptoms can include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight gain.

Screening Tools That Help

At Duality Healthcare, we offer a range of tools to assess your liver health:

• Blood tests: To check liver enzymes, cholesterol, and inflammation.
• Ultrasound scans: Useful to identify early fat deposits or signs of inflammation.
• FibroScan: A pain-free, non-invasive scan that measures liver stiffness and fibrosis. Think of it like a liver MOT — no needles, no prep, and incredibly informative.

What You Can Do

The good news is that liver disease is largely preventable and reversible in its early stages. The earlier we catch changes, the more we can do to support long-term liver function.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Eat a whole food, mostly plant-based diet
• Avoid excess alcohol and processed foods
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
• Prioritise regular health checks

Prevention Over Cure

At Duality Healthcare, we’re passionate about proactive care. You don’t need to wait for symptoms — getting your liver checked early could help you avoid issues later in life.

If you’ve been feeling tired, bloated, or just not yourself, don’t ignore the signs. Book a consultation or ask about a FibroScan — your liver might just thank you for it.

📍 Duality Healthcare
Edward Street, Newry, BT35 6AT
📞 028 3083 3666
🌐 www.dualityhealthcare.com