The gold standard for diagnosing NASH is through a liver biopsy, but this procedure is reserved for people at risk of advanced liver fibrosis. There’s no standard screening for NAFLD, so It’s more common for NASH to be diagnosed incidentally when being assessed for other health conditions. Imaging — specifically, an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, or certain types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques — may be also used to look for signs of fat accumulation in the liver.[1][2]
How is NASH diagnosed?
Written by:
Fact-checked
by:
•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is primarily diagnosed through a liver biopsy, particularly in people who are at risk of advanced liver fibrosis; however, it is often identified incidentally during evaluations for other health issues. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, or specific MRI methods may also be used to detect fat accumulation in the liver.