Fatty Liver Assessment (LiverLab MRI)
Fatty liver scan: check your liver health – quickly and safely.
Our LiverLab magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan offers a safe, non-invasive way to assess your liver in just 5 to 10 minutes.
The scan accurately measures levels of fat, helping to detect conditions such as fatty liver disease at an early stage. Unlike a biopsy (collection of a tiny tissue sample), it’s painless and doesn’t need any recovery time.
Fatty liver assessments at a glance
A LiverLab MRI is a quick and simple way to check your liver health. It offers:
- A painless, non-invasive MRI with no needles
- A fast scan time of around 5–10 minutes, with short breath-holds of 15–20 seconds
- Actionable results showing liver fat (PDFF) levels
This combination of speed, comfort and clarity makes it an effective tool for understanding your liver health.
What is a fatty liver assessment?
A fatty liver assessment uses a specialist MRI technique called LiverLab to measure fat in your liver.
The scan gives your doctor detailed information about your liver, helping to highlight issues early on when treatment or lifestyle changes are most effective.
The results can be tracked over time, making it easier to monitor your progress and see how your liver is responding to any treatment or changes you make.
Why check your liver?
Fat can build up in the liver without symptoms. When fat levels are high, it’s called fatty liver disease. This can be linked to drinking alcohol (alcoholic fatty liver disease – AFLD), but it can also happen without alcohol (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – NAFLD).
Over time, this fatty build-up can lead to inflammation, increasing the risk of problems like liver damage and cancer.
A LiverLab MRI measures liver fat without a biopsy, helping detect changes early and protect your liver health.
How the scan works
When you come for your appointment, you’ll be made comfortable before the scan begins.
You’ll lie on the MRI scanner while it takes detailed images of your liver. We’ll provide you with hearing protection to reduce the noise of the scan. If you like, we can play music through the ear protection during your scan.
At a few points, you’ll be asked to hold your breath for around 15–20 seconds to help capture the clearest possible pictures.
No injections are needed for this test. It’s painless and quick – usually lasting 5–10 minutes.
Once the images are taken, our consultant radiologists use specialist LiverLab software to measure the amount of fat and iron in your liver.
These results give a clear and accurate picture of your liver health, helping to detect conditions such as fatty liver disease at an early stage. They can also be used to track changes over time, so your doctor can see how your liver is responding to treatment or lifestyle changes.
Understanding your results
What your levels mean
Your fatty liver assessment provides two key measurements: the amount of fat in your liver, known as PDFF (proton density fat fraction). Liver fat is presented as a percentage, and liver iron is presented as hertz (Hz). For liver fat (PDFF), your results can fall into the following ranges:- Normal: 0–5%
- Mild (Grade 1): 5–17%
- Moderate (Grade 2): 17–22%
- Severe (Grade 3): 22% or more
- Normal: 88 Hz or less
- Elevated: 89–299 Hz
- Markedly elevated: 300 Hz or more
Is a fatty liver assessment right for me?
This scan is designed for adults who want a clear, non-invasive way to check their liver health. It can help with early detection of liver disease and cancer, monitoring changes over time and understanding how treatment or lifestyle adjustments are working. Many people choose it for peace of mind, particularly if they have risk factors such as a family history of liver disease, raised liver function tests or lifestyle factors that can affect the liver. You may be suitable for a live MRI scan if you are:- Aged 18 or over
- Able to safely have an MRI scan (we’ll confirm this when you book)
- Able to hold your breath for 15–20 seconds at a time
Booking, pricing and location
Booking your fatty liver assessment is simple. Use our online self-referral form, and our team will confirm the details.
The cost of the scan is £350 when booked as a stand-alone test. If you’re having a cancer screening whole-body MRI at the same time, you can add a fatty liver assessment for a reduced price of £150.
All scans take place at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre in Northwood, Middlesex, where you’ll be cared for by our experienced team in a welcoming environment.
Fatty liver assessment FAQs
Do I need to follow any special instructions before my scan?
No preparation is needed. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment.
How and when will I get my results?
You’ll receive a clear written report within 14 working days of your scan. Your images will also be available to view online.
Is an MRI liver scan safe?
Yes. The scan is non-invasive, doesn’t use radiation and typically doesn’t require injections.
What if I feel claustrophobic in the scanner?
Most people find the 5–10 minute scan very manageable. Our team will be with you the whole time to help you feel comfortable. If you’re concerned about enclosed spaces, let us know when you book so we can support you.
Can someone come with me to my appointment?
Yes. You can bring a friend or family member to the centre. While they won’t be able to join you in the scan room, they can wait close by, and we’ll keep them updated.
How do I know if I’m suitable for this scan?
As part of the booking process, we’ll check whether an MRI is safe for you. If you have certain implants or medical conditions, we’ll talk this through with you before confirming your appointment.
Your information and privacy
We take your privacy seriously. Your results and personal details are kept strictly confidential and will only be shared with you and your chosen clinician. If a trusted third party is involved in analysing your scan, this will be handled securely and explained to you in advance, so you’ll always know how your data is being used.
