Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute

01/30/2026

that chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is ranked #9 for leading causes of death in the state of Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Apache, Navajo, and La Paz counties have the highest mortality rates for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Make sure to protect yourself from liver disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting screened regularly.

01/23/2026

ABCDEs of Viral Hepatitis:

Viral hepatitis is the most common cause of hepatitis in the United States, and, currently, there are 5 types of hepatitis viruses that exist. All the viruses cause a new or "acute" infection, but viruses, like Hepatitis B and C, cause long-term or "chronic" infections that lead to severe outcomes like cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Here we have an updated list on how each virus is spread, how common it is in the US, and how to prevent/treat each virus.

01/21/2026

Hemochromatosis is a condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. Excess iron is stored in the organs, especially the liver, and can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes. Read more about symptoms and causes here:

This liver disorder causes your body to absorb too much iron from the foods you eat. Learn about symptoms, causes and treatment for this condition that usually runs in families.

01/16/2026

What's the difference between viral hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B and C) are contagious viruses that can be spread via food contamination, having unprotected s*x, or blood to blood contact. While viral infections can trigger autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis is not the same as viral hepatitis as it cannot be spread to other people. This editorial discusses the relationship between autoimmune hepatitis and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) to understand treatment options post-direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) and how viral infections can trigger:

Delving into the immunological crossroads of liver diseases, this editorial explores the dynamic interplay between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). While HCV primarily manifests as a viral infection impacting the liver, ...

01/14/2026

What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic liver disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your liver cells. This leads to inflammation of your liver (hepatitis), which can cause serious damage over time. There are two main types of autoimmune hepatitis: type 1 and type 2. Read here for more information on signs and symptoms:

Learn the signs, causes and treatments for autoimmune hepatitis, a rare but serious liver disease.

01/12/2026

As the new year begins, people often reflect on their drinking habits and participate in abstinence to learn about the effects of minimizing alcohol on their health. This study from the JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY highlights how alcohol intake affects liver mortality and how physical activity and dieting can affect alcohol-related liver mortality.

Healthy eating and physical activity significantly lower s*x-specific alcohol-attributable liver mortality in the United States

Vilar Gomez and coworkers examined the effects of diet quality (DQ) and physical activity (PA) on alcohol-related liver mortality using data from 60,334 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1984–2018) linked to the National Death Index. Diet quality was assessed through 24-hour recalls and a healthy eating index, while PA was derived from questionnaires. Older age, smoking, and binge drinking independently predicted liver-related death (LRD). Higher DQ reduced LRD among all drinking categories, with diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood, plant-based proteins, and unsaturated fats – and low in solid fats and added sugars – being most protective. Physically active participants also had lower LRD, particularly women. After adjusting for lifestyle, comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors, light-to-moderate drinking remained associated with increased liver mortality, suggesting residual confounding. Meeting recommended PA and DQ levels was linked to 22% and 12% lower LRD in non-heavy drinkers and 17% and 6% in heavy drinkers, respectively.

Full text here: https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(25)02334-7/fulltext

EASL - The Home of Hepatology

01/09/2026

Yesterday, the Hepatitis C team gave free tests to the community at the Consulado de México en Tucson. Come and see us every first Thursday of the month to receive a Hepatitis C test, Hepatitis C resources, and information on Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute and the services we provide.
Ayer, el equipo de Hepatitis C ofreció pruebas gratuitas a la comunidad en el Consulado de México en Tucson. Ven a vernos todos los primeros jueves de cada mes para hacerte una prueba de Hepatitis C, recibir recursos sobre Hepatitis C e información sobre el Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute y los servicios que ofrecemos.

01/07/2026

The Hepatitis C team will be conducting free tests tomorrow, January 8th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Consulado de México en Tucson. If you think you are at risk, feel free to stop by to get a test and some information on what is going on at the liver institute.
El equipo de Hepatitis C estará realizando pruebas gratuitas mañana, 8 de enero, de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Consulado de México en Tucson. Si crees que estás en riesgo, no dudes en pasar para hacerte la prueba y obtener información sobre lo que está pasando en el instituto del hígado.

01/07/2026

Happy New Year! - Check out our January Newsletter -

The Boyer Liver Institute, launched in 2000, is dedicated to research, education, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of liver disease.  Stay updated with us to know about current studies, free Hep-C testing, and more! Care for patients suffering from liver disorders such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis...

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays from the Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute!
We wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year. ☃️

12/17/2025

What is Primary biliary cholangitis?

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease in which the bile ducts are inflamed and slowly destroyed and was previously called primary biliary cirrhosis. More than half of people with primary biliary cholangitis do not have any noticeable symptoms when diagnosed, and symptoms may develop over the next 5 to 20 years. Read here for more information:

Primary biliary cholangitis is a type of liver disease that damages the bile ducts. Early recognition and treatment may help prevent complications.

12/12/2025

there are several risk factors that can increase a person's chance of getting liver cancer such as having a long-term viral hepatitis infection, heavy alcohol use, and more. Some risk factors can be changed through lifestyle choices while others, like age or family history, cannot. Read about the various risk factors here:

There are several factors that can increase your chance of getting liver cancer. This guide will help you learn more about the most common factors.