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Risk factors

Liver disease can develop without causing any symptoms in its early stages. Some people have a higher chance of developing liver disease because of their medical history or lifestyle. You may be offered a liver health check if one or more of the following applies to you:

  • You have previously had, or may be at risk of, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
  • You regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
  • You are 50 years of age or older and have Type 2 diabetes.
  • You are 50 years of age or older and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30, or over 27 for some people depending on their ethnic background.

Before you are offered a liver scan, a member of the Community Liver Health Checks (CLHC) team will ask you a few questions to determine whether a scan is appropriate for you.

If you have already had a liver scan within the last 12 months, you will not be eligible for another scan at this event. This is because significant changes in liver stiffness are unlikely to occur over such a short period, and repeat scanning is not usually recommended unless advised by your healthcare team.

Finding out your risk of liver disease only takes a few minutes and it could be the most important thing you do today.

Last reviewed: 16 July 2026