Hepatology

Why choose UCLA Health for hepatology?

Our hepatology and transplant hepatology specialists care for adults with a wide spectrum of liver disease using the most advanced care. Highlights of our program include:

Comprehensive care: Our hepatology experts offer customized care plans that best fit individual patient needs. Our team uses a multidisciplinary approach. We work closely with oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, interventional radiology, nutrition, and social work, among many others, to provide the most comprehensive hepatology care under one system.

Expert team: Specialists at UCLA Health are recognized as leaders across the nation in the diagnosis and treatment of liver disorders.

Internationally recognized liver transplant program: The world-renowned UCLA Health Liver Transplant Program is one of the largest and most successful transplant programs in the world. Our experts have performed more than 6,000 liver transplants since launching the program in 1984. Learn more about the UCLA Health Liver Transplant Program.

Experience with rare liver disorders: People with rare disorders, such as Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, Alpha-1-antitrypsin, and metabolic liver disease, come to us for treatments that may not be available elsewhere.

Clinical trials and research: If you’re eligible, you have access to clinical trials for promising new treatments. We’re at the forefront of leading-edge research and breakthroughs in therapies to treat liver disease. Our team pioneers research on a wide range of treatments and preventive care.

Our areas of care

At the UCLA Health Hepatology Program, we provide a full range of care to adults with liver dysfunction. You’ll benefit from comprehensive evaluations, state-of-the-art testing and customized treatment plans. We specialize in:

Comprehensive evaluations

Our specialists diagnose liver disorders by gathering a thorough medical history and physical examination. As part of the evaluation, your physician may order additional testing. Our comprehensive assessments enable us to deliver the most effective therapies for you.

Advanced diagnostics

We work with experts across UCLA Health to deliver an accurate diagnosis. After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, we may recommend:

Biopsy: Your doctor obtains a small tissue specimen from the liver and sends it to a lab to check for disease. 

FibroScan®: This test uses transient elastography, which is noninvasive and similar to ultrasound. It helps us diagnose fibrosis (scar tissue on the liver) and fatty liver disease. It also allows us to evaluate the liver and determine the extent of damage. We offer FibroScan testing at our Santa Monica location.

Genetic testing: These tests look for markers that put you at a higher risk of liver disease. Genetic counseling is also available at UCLA Health.

MRI: This advanced radiologic diagnostic imaging creates detailed pictures of the liver.

Customized care

Our experts lead the nation in exceptional care for all types of liver disease and dysfunction. We work with you to create a tailored treatment plan. Whether you need medications, surgery or a liver transplant, you’re in expert hands.

Liver conditions we treat

Our specialists have experience with the full range of liver conditions, from common to complex. We deliver comprehensive treatments for:

Alcoholic liver disease, which happens when inflammation, scar tissue and fats build up on the liver due to long-term alcohol use

Cirrhosis, late-stage liver disease that causes scar tissue to develop

Drug-or herbal-induced liver injury, liver damage that results from medications or herbal supplements

Enlarged liver and/or spleen, which can result from many causes, including infection, cancer and chronic liver disease

Fatty liver disease, a reversible condition that happens when extra fat builds up, leading to inflammation and scarring

Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer

Liver lesions, abnormal growths that may be cancerous or noncancerous (benign)

Liver failure, which requires a liver transplant because the liver cannot properly function

Liver fibrosis, scar tissue on the liver

Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in veins around the liver), a complication of liver cirrhosis and advanced liver disease

Viral hepatitis, including common viral hepatitis A, B and C and less common types, such as hepatitis D, E, CMV and EBV

Treatment for liver disease and liver dysfunction

Our providers specialize in comprehensive treatment plans that may include a combination of approaches to meet your individual goals. Treatments include:

Lifestyle support

We take a holistic approach to treating fatty liver and alcoholic liver disease. In addition to medical approaches, we partner with disciplines such as GI dietitians, addiction medicine and psychiatry, to offer lifestyle, diet and overall health support.

Medications

Some liver conditions respond well to medications. We work with our advanced specialty pharmacy to conveniently deliver liver disease medications, sometimes to your doorstep. Our pharmacy works with multiple foundations and manufacturers to provide a wide range of liver- related medications.

Minimally invasive interventions

At UCLA Health, we work with subspecialists who are experts in minimally invasive techniques. We collaborate with interventional endoscopists who perform endoscopic weight loss treatments to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Interventional radiologists are also available to provide local regional therapy for cancer and to perform the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to relieve portal hypertension (high pressures around the liver).

Liver transplant and liver surgery

Specialists at the UCLA Health Liver Transplant Program are world leaders in liver surgery and transplants. They use the latest techniques to deliver excellent outcomes that are consistently better than the national average.

Meet our team

Our team includes physicians who are some of the most recognized hepatologists and transplant hepatology specialists in the country.

Contact us

Our skilled hepatology doctors care for adults with all types of liver disease. We put our experience to work for you. Call 310-825-2631 to connect with us.