Quick summary: Health professionals are urging individuals suffering from persistent tiredness to seek medical advice, as this easily overlooked symptom could signal metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease which is estimated to affect up to 20% of the adult population in the UK. This silent condition triggers excess fat build-up in the liver and is heavily linked to metabolic health complications such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Early identification through proactive healthcare practice and targeted public policy screening is vital to enable effective lifestyle management strategies, preventing advanced liver scarring while safeguarding the long-term physical well-being and everyday energy levels of millions of at risk citizens.
Experts are urging people experiencing persistent tiredness to seek medical advice, as it could signal metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), estimated to affect up to 1 in 5 adults in the UK — around 13.9 million people.
With Global Fatty Liver Day approaching on 11th June 2026, health professionals are highlighting how early symptoms of this often undiagnosed condition are easy to overlook amid busy modern lifestyles.
Many people attribute ongoing fatigue to everyday stresses such as work demands, household chores, or social commitments. According to the NHS, common causes of tiredness include lack of sleep, an unbalanced diet, insufficient exercise, stress, and major life events like bereavement.
“Feeling tired is often completely normal and can be caused by many different things,” says Dennis Ouko, Superintendent Pharmacist at Phlo Clinic. “In most cases, it can be improved with good sleep, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet. But if your tiredness feels overwhelming or lasts for several weeks despite what you would consider good sleep, it could be a sign of something more serious, and you should speak to your GP. This is especially important if it’s paired with symptoms like feeling generally unwell, weakness, or a dull pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.”
What is MASLD?
Often described as a silent condition, MASLD tends to have few early symptoms, leading to many cases going undiagnosed. Prevalence has risen alongside increasing obesity rates.
Ouko explains: “MASLD is a common condition where excess fat builds up in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol. It’s linked to lifestyle and metabolic factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. It differs from alcohol-related fatty liver disease (AFLD), which is caused by drinking too much alcohol. Both conditions can lead to inflammation, liver scarring, and liver failure if left untreated, but their causes and management are different.”
Research confirms MASLD forms part of a cluster of conditions linked to metabolic health, sharing pathways with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Who is most at risk?
Symptoms and early warning signs
“While MASLD often has few early symptoms and is usually picked up during tests for other reasons, there are some warning signs to be aware of, particularly if you’re in a higher-risk group,” says Ouko. These include:
- Persistent tiredness or weakness lasting several weeks, especially if it is impacting daily life or is combined with other symptoms.
- A general sense of feeling unwell or run down, even without a clear cause, which can include low energy, mild nausea, or just not feeling like yourself.
- A dull or aching discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen, where the liver is located, which is often mild but persistent.
Less commonly, unexplained weight loss or a loss of appetite can occur, particularly in more advanced stages, and should always be checked by a GP.
What to do if you suspect MASLD
Ouko urges those with concerns not to ignore persistent symptoms or try to self-diagnose. “MASLD has several stages and, if caught early, can often be managed with lifestyle changes. There are currently no specific medications to treat it, so early diagnosis is key. Speaking to your GP means you can be tested and either reassured or given the right advice and support to make effective lifestyle changes.”
Because symptoms can be vague, Ouko recommends keeping a note of anything unusual, including when it started and how often it occurs, to help a GP spot patterns and decide on the right tests or treatment. Simple changes such as eating a balanced diet, cutting back on sugar and processed foods, and staying active can also support liver health.