Liver disease treatment hepatologist Katy TX Dr Maher

Liver Health and Disease Management

Your liver plays a vital role in digestion and overall wellness. Dr. Maher screens for and manages chronic liver conditions, from hepatitis and cirrhosis to elevated enzymes that need answers.

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Hepatology Fellowship

Advanced liver training, UC-Irvine

FibroScan On-Site

Non-invasive liver assessment, same day

6 Conditions Managed

Hepatitis, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis & more

Your Liver Does More Than You Think

Your liver performs more functions than almost any other organ in your body. It filters toxins, produces bile to digest fat, stores energy, builds proteins your body needs to clot and fight infection, and processes nearly everything you eat, drink, or absorb.

Filters toxins from blood Produces digestive bile Stores glycogen for energy Builds clotting proteins Processes medications Regulates cholesterol

Your liver also has a remarkable ability to heal itself — but that ability has limits. When damaged repeatedly over months or years by infection, alcohol, fat accumulation, or immune system malfunction, scar tissue replaces healthy tissue. Once enough scarring develops, the damage becomes permanent.

The earlier liver disease is detected, the more reversible it is. That is why Dr. Maher emphasizes screening and monitoring, especially for patients with risk factors who may feel completely fine.

Liver Conditions Dr. Maher Treats

From viral infections to genetic conditions, each diagnosis has its own evaluation, treatment, and monitoring approach.

Hepatitis B

A viral infection that can become chronic and silently damage the liver over decades. Dr. Maher monitors hepatitis B patients with regular bloodwork and imaging, prescribes antiviral therapy when indicated, and screens for liver cancer — a known risk even without cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C

Now curable in most patients with a short course of direct-acting antiviral medication. Dr. Maher evaluates your liver's current condition, prescribes treatment, and confirms the virus has been eliminated. Even after cure, patients with advanced fibrosis need ongoing monitoring.

Cirrhosis

The late stage of chronic liver disease, where scar tissue has replaced enough healthy tissue to impair liver function. Dr. Maher manages both compensated cirrhosis (stable, before complications) and decompensated cirrhosis (fluid buildup, confusion, or bleeding). Management includes medication, variceal screening via upper endoscopy, and liver cancer surveillance.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

A condition where your immune system attacks your own liver cells, causing chronic inflammation. Without treatment, autoimmune hepatitis can progress to cirrhosis. Dr. Maher diagnoses this through bloodwork and biopsy, and manages it with immunosuppressive medications.

Hemochromatosis

A genetic condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron, which deposits in the liver and other organs. If caught early, regular blood removal (phlebotomy) prevents liver damage. Dr. Maher screens for hemochromatosis and monitors iron levels over time.

Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/MASLD)

The most common liver condition in the United States. Dr. Maher has a dedicated page covering fatty liver disease in depth, including FibroScan screening and treatment.

Learn more on our Fatty Liver Disease page →

Signs Your Liver Needs Attention

Liver disease is often called a "silent" condition because symptoms rarely appear until significant damage has occurred. These findings should prompt evaluation:

  • Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT) on bloodwork
  • Persistent fatigue with no clear explanation
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Unexplained itching
  • Swelling in the abdomen or legs
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Dark urine or pale stools
  • Family history of liver disease
  • History of heavy alcohol use
  • Chronic hepatitis B or C (even if treated)
  • Obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome
Elevated liver enzymes on your blood panel? If your primary care doctor found elevated AST or ALT levels, Dr. Maher can determine why and whether your liver needs treatment or ongoing monitoring. This is one of the most common reasons patients are referred to a gastroenterologist.

How Dr. Maher Evaluates Your Liver

A thorough evaluation that narrows the cause and shapes the plan.

1

Your Consultation

Dr. Maher reviews your labs, symptoms, medications, alcohol history, family history, and any prior imaging. Elevated liver enzymes can come from dozens of causes. His job is to narrow it down to a specific diagnosis so your treatment is targeted, not generic.

2

Targeted Testing

  • Comprehensive liver blood panel — hepatitis B/C, autoimmune markers, iron studies, and metabolic function
  • FibroScan — measures liver stiffness (fibrosis) and fat content without a needle — results same visit
  • Abdominal ultrasound or MRI — to visualize the liver and check for structural abnormalities, cysts, or masses
  • Upper endoscopy — for cirrhosis patients to screen for esophageal varices that can bleed
  • Liver biopsy — in rare cases where noninvasive testing is inconclusive and tissue diagnosis is needed
3

Diagnosis and Long-Term Plan

Once the cause and stage are established, Dr. Maher creates a management plan. For some patients, that means treatment and cure (hepatitis C). For others, it means ongoing surveillance to prevent progression (hepatitis B, compensated cirrhosis, hemochromatosis). Every plan is tailored to where you are today and where your liver needs to be tomorrow.

Liver Cancer Surveillance

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma dramatically improves treatment options and outcomes.

Patients with cirrhosis from any cause, and patients with chronic hepatitis B even without cirrhosis, face an elevated risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). Current guidelines recommend screening every six months with abdominal ultrasound.

Dr. Maher incorporates this surveillance into your ongoing care schedule so it is never missed or delayed.

Cirrhosis Patients

Regardless of the underlying cause — hepatitis, alcohol, fatty liver disease — all cirrhosis patients should receive surveillance ultrasound every 6 months.

Chronic Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B carries liver cancer risk even without cirrhosis. Surveillance is recommended based on your age, family history, and viral load.

Not being screened regularly? If you have cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B and are not on an active surveillance schedule, this should be addressed at your next appointment. Schedule with Dr. Maher to get a protocol in place.

Fellowship-Trained Liver Expertise

Dr. Maher completed advanced fellowship training in hepatology at the University of California-Irvine before completing his gastroenterology fellowship at the same institution. Hepatology is the medical specialty focused specifically on diseases of the liver.

This means your liver care is managed by a physician with specialized training that goes beyond general gastroenterology. Whether your condition requires monitoring, medication, or coordination with a transplant center, Dr. Maher has the expertise to guide your care at every stage.

Fellowship Training

Hepatology — UC-Irvine

Board Certification

Gastroenterology & Internal Medicine

FibroScan On-Site

Non-Invasive Liver Assessment

Cancer Surveillance

Built Into Your Care Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers about elevated enzymes, hepatitis C cure, cirrhosis stages, liver cancer screening, biopsy, and Dr. Maher's liver training.

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My blood work shows elevated liver enzymes. What does that mean?
Elevated AST and ALT levels indicate your liver cells are being damaged or inflamed. This does not automatically mean you have serious liver disease, but it does mean the cause should be identified. Common reasons include fatty liver disease, medication effects, alcohol use, hepatitis, or autoimmune conditions. Dr. Maher runs targeted tests to determine the specific cause and whether treatment is needed.

Is hepatitis C still curable?
Yes. Direct-acting antiviral medications can cure hepatitis C in most patients within 8 to 12 weeks with minimal side effects. Dr. Maher evaluates your liver before starting treatment, prescribes the appropriate regimen, and confirms the virus is gone. Patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis still need ongoing liver monitoring even after cure.

What is the difference between compensated and decompensated cirrhosis?
Compensated cirrhosis means your liver is scarred but still functioning well enough that you may have no symptoms. Decompensated cirrhosis means the liver can no longer keep up, causing complications like fluid in the abdomen (ascites), confusion (hepatic encephalopathy), internal bleeding from varices, or jaundice. Dr. Maher manages both stages, with the goal of keeping compensated patients stable and preventing decompensation.

Do I need a liver biopsy?
In most cases, no. FibroScan and advanced blood tests provide the information Dr. Maher needs without an invasive procedure. A biopsy may be recommended in rare situations where results are inconclusive or a specific tissue diagnosis is required, such as confirming autoimmune hepatitis.

Can liver damage be reversed?
It depends on the stage. Early fibrosis can often improve or reverse with treatment of the underlying cause — curing hepatitis C, controlling autoimmune hepatitis, or losing weight to treat fatty liver disease. Once cirrhosis has developed, the scarring is largely permanent, but progression can be slowed or stopped with proper management.
Learn about fatty liver disease and reversal →

How often should I be screened for liver cancer?
If you have cirrhosis from any cause, or chronic hepatitis B even without cirrhosis, current guidelines recommend abdominal ultrasound screening every six months. Dr. Maher incorporates this into your regular follow-up schedule so it is never delayed.

Does Dr. Maher have specialized liver training?
Yes. In addition to board certifications in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Maher completed fellowship training in hepatology at the University of California-Irvine. Hepatology is the specialty focused entirely on liver disease, giving him expertise that goes beyond standard gastroenterology training.

Your Liver Health Deserves Expert Attention

Whether you have elevated enzymes that need answers, a chronic condition that needs monitoring, or a new diagnosis you want a second opinion on, Dr. Maher is here to help. Schedule your evaluation today.

Schedule an Appointment Call (346) 637-4874

Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM  |  Fri 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
19255 Park Row #104, Houston, TX 77084