Graeme A. Macdonald is a hepatologist in Brisbane, QLD 4102. A hepatologist is a doctor who looks after problems with the liver and the bile system. This can include long-term liver conditions, flare-ups, and care that needs careful follow up.
In day-to-day practice, he helps people dealing with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Many of these cases also link in with weight and metabolic health, so you’ll often see issues like obesity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic syndrome come up. At times, liver problems can move slowly, and other times things can change quicker. He works through what’s going on and what can be done next, step by step.
Liver cirrhosis is another important part of hepatology care. Cirrhosis can affect how the liver works, and it can bring complications that need close monitoring. He also manages problems involving the bile ducts, such as cholangitis, where infection or inflammation may be a concern.
Some patients see him for specific digestive and liver-related conditions too. Barrett esophagus can be part of that bigger picture, especially when people have ongoing reflux or stomach and chest symptoms. He also looks after people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a condition that can affect skin and, in some cases, the liver.
There is also liver transplant care in his work. That can mean supporting patients before a transplant, and then helping with the follow-up that comes after. Managing transplant patients is detailed and ongoing, because medicines and health checks need to be kept on track.
He has also been involved in care for people impacted by COVID-19. Liver health can be affected during serious illness, and in many cases the best plan comes from using blood tests, imaging, and clinical review together.