Is Your Liver Health at Risk? Understanding MASLD Screening in Singapore
- meadowsidehealth
- May 2
- 2 min read
Fatty liver disease (now clinically referred to as MASLD) is a growing concern in Singapore, often discovered during routine health screenings. Because the liver has no pain receptors, "Fatty Liver" is a silent condition that, left unmanaged, can lead to permanent scarring (cirrhosis) or liver failure.
At Amber Family Clinic, our focus is on early detection and the clinical monitoring of liver health through primary care diagnostics.
1. Liver Function Test (LFT):
The first step in any screening is a specialized blood panel known as a Liver Function Test.
We look for specific enzymes:
- ALT & AST: Elevated levels can signal liver cell inflammation or damage.
- GGT: A sensitive marker for bile duct health and metabolic stress on the liver.
- Albumin & Bilirubin: Indicators of the liver’s actual functional capacity.
2. Liver Ultrasound (US):
While blood tests tell us how the liver is behaving, an Ultrasound shows us what it looks like. This non-invasive scan allows our doctors to:
- Identify the presence of fat deposits within the liver tissue.
- Check for signs of hepatomegaly (enlargement).
- Assess the liver's surface for early signs of texture changes or cirrhosis.
3. Why Diagnosis is Only Step One
Identifying fatty liver at the GP level is vital, but the goal is reversal. In many cases, standard lifestyle changes are not enough to combat the metabolic drivers of liver fat.
To understand the advanced science of reversing fatty liver—including the latest clinical evidence on how metabolic procedures and pharmacotherapy can "clear" liver fat—we recommend reading the specialist-vetted guide on our partner site, Obesity.sg.
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