The Liver Health Book Series | Complete Patient Guides

The Liver Health Book Series

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Why Two Books?

Managing liver disease means understanding two different worlds: your lab results and your imaging studies. Each requires its own comprehensive guide.

Your Question	The Answer
“What do my blood tests mean?”	Book 1 explains ALT, AST, bilirubin, FIB-4, MELD, and 50+ other tests
“What does my FibroScan show?”	Book 2 explains elastography, CAP scores, and what your numbers mean
“Why do I need an MRI?”	Book 2 covers when MRI is needed and what it reveals that ultrasound can’t
“What happens after diagnosis?”	Book 2, Chapter 0 is a complete post-diagnosis guide with a 72-hour action plan
“How do I monitor my liver disease?”	Both books together give you the complete picture

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Book 1: A Complete Guide to Liver Blood Tests

What’s Inside Book 1

Chapter	What You’ll Learn
1. Liver Enzymes	AST, ALT, ALP, GGT: what they measure, why they rise, and what patterns reveal
2. True Liver Function Tests	Bilirubin, albumin, PT/INR: tests that show how well your liver actually works
3. Blood Count (CBC)	Why low platelets matter, hemoglobin patterns, and warning signs
4. Kidney Tests & Electrolytes	The liver-kidney connection and why sodium predicts survival
5. Metabolic Markers	Insulin resistance, cholesterol, blood sugar: the metabolic drivers
6. Liver Cancer Biomarkers	AFP, AFP-L3, PIVKA-II, GALAD score for early HCC detection
7. Disease-Specific Tests	Hepatitis B & C panels, autoimmune markers, iron overload, Wilson disease
8. Prognostic Scores	MELD, Child-Pugh, FIB-4, NAFLD Fibrosis Score, ELF, Agile scores

Book 1 Detailed Contents

Chapter 1: Liver Enzymes Explained

• ALT (SGPT): the most liver-specific enzyme
• AST (SGOT): why it’s found in more than just your liver
• The De Ritis Ratio (AST/ALT): what patterns mean
• GGT: the sensitive but non-specific marker
• ALP: distinguishing liver from bone

Chapter 2: Liver Function Tests

• Bilirubin: direct, indirect, and why jaundice happens
• Albumin: what low levels really indicate
• PT/INR: measuring your liver’s clotting factor production

Chapter 3: CBC Findings in Liver Disease

• Platelets: the earliest warning sign of portal hypertension
• Hemoglobin and anemia patterns in cirrhosis
• Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)
• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
• Spur cell anemia: a grave sign

Chapter 4: Kidney Tests & Electrolytes

• Why kidneys fail when livers fail
• Creatinine’s limitations in cirrhosis
• Cystatin C: the better kidney marker
• Hyponatremia: the most important electrolyte
• Hepatorenal syndrome explained

Chapter 5: Metabolic & Cardiometabolic Markers

• HOMA-IR: measuring insulin resistance
• Fasting glucose and HbA1c interpretation
• Lipid panels and “atherogenic dyslipidemia”
• Statins are SAFE in liver disease (the evidence)
• Ammonia and hepatic encephalopathy

Chapter 6: Liver Cancer Biomarkers

• AFP: strengths and limitations
• AFP-L3: the cancer-specific fraction
• DCP/PIVKA-II: a complementary marker
• The GALAD score
• Liquid biopsy and circulating tumor DNA

Chapter 7: Disease-Specific Tests

• Hepatitis B & C interpretation guides
• Autoimmune hepatitis markers
• PBC and PSC workup
• Hemochromatosis testing
• Wilson disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin

Chapter 8: Prognostic Scores & Calculators

• MELD, MELD-Na, MELD 3.0
• Child-Pugh Score
• CLIF-C ACLF
• FIB-4 Index
• NAFLD Fibrosis Score
• ELF Score, FibroTest, SAFE Score
• Agile 3+ and Agile 4
• ALBI Score, VOCAL-Penn, Liver Frailty Index

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Book 2: A Complete Guide to Liver Imaging & Diagnosis

What’s Inside Book 2

Chapter	What You’ll Learn
0. “Now What?”	The essential post-diagnosis guide: first 72 hours, emotional processing, immediate actions
1. Ultrasound	How ultrasound detects fatty liver, “bright liver,” grading systems
2. Elastography Fundamentals	How liver stiffness is measured and what numbers mean
3. FibroScan (VCTE)	Complete guide: M vs XL probes, CAP scores, quality criteria
4. FibroTouch	Alternative elastography platform
5. pSWE & 2D-SWE	Other elastography options and non-interchangeability
6. MRI, MRE & PDFF	The gold standard for fibrosis and fat quantification
7. HCC Surveillance	Liver cancer screening: the 6-month schedule and NASH challenges
8. Endoscopy & Varices	Variceal screening: what to expect, preparation, treatment
9. Invasive Procedures	Liver biopsy, HVPG, paracentesis explained

Book 2 Detailed Contents

Chapter 0: You Have Fatty Liver, NASH, Fibrosis or Cirrhosis. Now What?

• Parameter Reversibility Table (what can improve)
• The Terminology Confusion (NAFLD → MASLD explained)
• Disease Etiology: Why Did This Happen?
• Immediate Red Flags: When to Call Emergency Care
• What You Must Do in the Next 72 Hours
• The First-Week Action Plan (Day 0-7)
• The Emotional Rollercoaster
• If You Already Have Cirrhosis: Urgent Checklist
• Quick FAQs Your Panic Will Ask at 2 a.m.
• Printable 72-Hour Emergency Checklist

Chapter 1: Abdominal Ultrasound

• Bright Liver, Hepatorenal Contrast, Vascular Blunting
• Grading Systems (Grade 0-3)
• CAP, Attenuation Coefficient, UDFF
• Portal Venous Doppler Assessment
• Advantages and Limitations

Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Liver Elastography

• The Physics (in plain English)
• The Biological Basis of Liver Stiffness
• VCTE vs pSWE vs 2D-SWE vs MRE
• Confounders: When Stiffness ≠ Fibrosis
• Clinical Interpretation Framework

Chapter 3: FibroScan® (VCTE)

• How FibroScan Works
• Device Models: 430 Mini+, 530 Compact, 630 Expert
• Probe Selection: S+, M+, XL+
• CAP for Steatosis Assessment
• Diagnostic Performance by Etiology
• Quality Criteria and Reliability
• Monitoring Frequency

Chapter 4: FibroTouch

• Technology and Design
• Correlation with FibroScan
• Cut-off Values for Fibrosis and Steatosis

Chapter 5: Alternatives to FibroScan (pSWE & 2D-SWE)

• Technical Principles
• Manufacturer Systems (Supersonic, GE, Canon, Philips, Samsung, Siemens)
• The Non-Interchangeability Problem
• When to Choose Which Modality

Chapter 6: MRI, MRE & PDFF

• MRI Physics Overview
• MR Elastography: Most Accurate Fibrosis Test
• PDFF: Gold Standard for Liver Fat
• T1 Mapping (cT1) for Inflammation
• Iron Quantification
• Clinical Use Cases and Limitations

Chapter 7: HCC Surveillance in NASH Cirrhosis

• The 6-Month Standard
• Ultrasound vs. CT vs. MRI Performance
• Why Ultrasound Fails in Obesity
• AFP, GALAD Score, Novel Biomarkers
• Evidence-Based Strategies for NASH Patients
• Protocol Selection Algorithm

Chapter 8: Endoscopy and Varices

• How Cirrhosis Leads to Varices
• Types and Grading
• When Endoscopy Is Needed
• Preparing for Your Endoscopy
• The Procedure Step-by-Step
• Beta-Blockers vs. Banding

Chapter 9: Invasive Procedures

• Liver Biopsy: Percutaneous vs. Transjugular
• HVPG Measurement
• Paracentesis and SAAG Interpretation

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Who These Books Are For

✅ Patients newly diagnosed with fatty liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD)
✅ People with chronic liver disease trying to understand their labs and scans
✅ Cirrhosis patients monitoring for complications
✅ Anyone scheduled for FibroScan, MRI, or endoscopy
✅ Patients with “limited visualization” on ultrasound
✅ Caregivers and family members supporting someone with liver disease
✅ Primary care clinicians wanting comprehensive patient education resources
✅ Anyone tired of Googling lab values and scan results and getting confused

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What Makes These Books Different

Scientifically Rigorous

Every chapter is backed by peer-reviewed research and current guidelines: AASLD 2024, EASL-EASD-EASO 2024, Baveno VII. Over 250 combined references.

Written in Two Layers

• Technical explanations for those who want the medical details
• “Understanding in Simple Terms” sections that translate jargon into plain English

Clinically Practical

Not just what tests and scans measure, but what to do with the results; including when to worry, when not to, and when to push for additional testing.

Emotionally Intelligent

Book 2’s Chapter 0 acknowledges that a liver diagnosis is scary. We address the fear, anger, and confusion; not just the medical facts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need both books?
A: It depends on your situation. If you’re newly diagnosed and overwhelmed, start with Book 2 (especially Chapter 0). If you’re trying to understand specific blood test results, start with Book 1. For complete understanding of your liver disease, both books together give you the full picture.

Q: Can I buy one now and add the other later?
A: Yes, but the bundle saves you $9. If you buy individually, each book is $19.

Q: Is this too technical for a non-medical person?
A: No. Every section includes “Understanding in Simple Terms” explanations. The technical detail is there if you want it, but you don’t need a medical degree to benefit.

Q: Is the information current?
A: Yes. Both books reflect guidelines through 2024-2025, including the latest AASLD, EASL, and Baveno VII recommendations.

Q: Will this replace my doctor’s advice?
A: No, and it’s not meant to. These books help you understand your results so you can have more informed conversations with your healthcare team.

Q: What format are the books?
A: Both are delivered as PDF files that you can read on any device such as computer, tablet, phone, or e-reader.

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The Patient Journey: How the Books Work Together

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About the Liver Health Series

The Liver Health Series is designed to give patients and caregivers the knowledge they need to understand liver disease: written in accessible language but backed by rigorous science.

Book	Focus	Pages	Status
Book 1	Blood Tests & Lab Values	136+	✅ Available
Book 2	Imaging, Diagnosis & Procedures	180+	✅ Available

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