The British Liver Trust has warned that the colour of your poo can be an indicator of a serious condition
06:00, 14 Oct 2025Updated 07:27, 14 Oct 2025
Experts have warned that a certain symptom when you go to the toilet could indicate liver disease(Image: Getty)
Brits have been warned to “tell a doctor straight away” if they notice a potentially deadly symptom on the toilet. According to experts, this could be a sign of fatty liver disease.
This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs due to an excess of fat in the liver. If not caught in its early stages it can progress as far as cirrhosis (liver scarring) and, ultimately, liver failure.
In its early stages the disease is often symptomless. But, according to the British Liver Trust, the colour of your poo can be an indicator of the condition.
Specifically “dark black tarry poo” is listed as a symptom. It urges people to “tell a doctor straight away” if they notice this when they go to the toilet.
If you have “dark black tarry poo” when you go to the toilet you should speak to your GP(Image: Getty)
“Even if you have no symptoms if you are at risk and are worried ask your doctor for a test,” it adds.
Other signs of fatty liver disease include:
Tiredness, fatigue or a general feeling of lethargyDiscomfort on the upper right side of your tummyYellowness of the eyes and skin (jaundice)Bruising easilyDark urineSwelling of the tummy area (ascites)Vomiting bloodPeriods of confusion, forgetting things, mood changes or poor judgementItching skin
Around one in five people in the UK are living with fatty liver disease. The trust explains: “Rates are increasing with rising levels of obesity.
“Although most cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are linked to excess weight, you can develop the disease if you have a healthy weight.”
Cirrhosis is the most severe stage of liver disease and can lead to liver failure(Image: Getty)
Factors that put you at greater risk of fatty liver disease include:
A weight in the overweight or obese rangeA high waist measurementType 2 diabetesA diet with too many unhealthy foods and drinksLow levels of physical activity or spending a lot of time sitting downHigh blood lipids such as cholesterolHigh blood pressureOther conditions linked to insulin resistance, for example – polycystic ovary syndrome
The charity adds: “Other diseases can make your liver fatty – either directly or as a side effect of some medicines. Your doctor will check if these things could play a role.”
These medicines include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsAmiodaroneCorticosteroidsDiltiazemMethotrexateTamoxifen
But you are advised to not stop taking prescribed medicines and talk to your doctor if you have concerns. There are multiple stages to fatty liver disease that indicate how scarred the liver has become. If the disease is in its early stages it is possible to slow or even reverse it with exercise and a healthy diet.
However, stage four fatty liver disease – also called cirrhosis – means there is so much scarring it changes the shape of your liver. This can result in liver cancer and liver failure.
If you experience any symptoms of liver disease, you should speak to your GP.