GET THE WORD OUT EARLY DETECTION IS CRITICAL.

NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a result of accumulation of fat in the liver and has several causes, including obesity and diabetes. It is called non-alcoholic liver disease because the appearance of the liver under the microscope are identical to those seen in alcoholic liver disease, and yet this condition occurs in those who do not abuse alcohol. NAFLD is the most common liver disease in Canada, afflicting as much as 25% of the population. As with viral hepatitis, NAFLD is a progressive liver disease that over many years causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes, NAFLD is predicted to increase in prevalence and contribute to liver related deaths. The full impact of this form of liver disease is probably some years in the future as the current overweight generation ages. However, in time, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will probably be the main contributor to the high prevalence of end stage liver disease. If you think you have symptoms of liver disease talk to your Doctor and ask for a referral for a Fibro Scan it is non-invasive, painless and inexpensive. The sooner you find out you have liver disease and start treating it the better the odds of a full recovery not to mention the enormous savings to any health care establishment.

[Hidden]

Hi DW

Have you recovered your health? Did you have a Fibroscan? mine found a tiny bit of fat above normal 6 months after stopping drinking and better diet, 4.2kpa on the stiffness, so it appears that I will be fine

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

HI no I haven't recovered yet I was diagnosed this July 2015 with severe fatty liver 332dB/m on a scale of 400 over 66% of my liver cells contain fat and 4.9kpa for stiffness . I had a lot of symptoms of the disease and I diagnosed myself, now I know that I have it I can start treating it. The point I am trying to make is if I would of been diagnosed earlier I wouldn't have a liver that's over 66% fat, that's why early detection is critical not to mention the savings to the healthcare system.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hi

I see, I checked your old post, I thought it was 4.9kpa?

How were your Liver Function tests? The Fibroscan is fairly new, the usual NHS route is an Ultrasound which doesnt always pick up early changes to the Liver.

Are you going to get a follow up Fibroscan to hopefully see the fat starting to go down?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi yes you are correct at the 4.9kpa I have edited my post thank you. My liver function tests where a bit high on many occasions also my fatty liver changes were seen in 2004 on the ultra sound. Going over my medical records I can see by the cat scans and ultra sounds that my disease has been progressing since 2004. I was in the hospital a lot of times after I ate a fatty meal mostly fried fish but even oil and vinegar on salad sent me to the emergency department. I certainly will be getting another fibro scan early next year, I plan on doing one every 6 months to see if any positive progress has been made or if it is still progressing also I was never obese and am still not obese I don't look fat at all. I was an athlete that was felled by this life changing disease.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

my god, why didnt they tell you ? Thank god you now know the issue!

[cityman62]

I don't quite understand,(am I being dim here ;-),I thought anything on the fibroscan scale of say 8 down is totally normal?

[Hidden in reply to cityman62]

Yes you are correct about fibrosis but the fat in my liver was so high that I couldn't eat fat because it wouldn't metabolize and my liver seemed to get clogged up and I was defecating undigested food full of acid that was irritating my intestines and colon. Irritating the intestines and colon leads to inflammation which is why I believe that people with fatty liver have a higher incidence of colon cancer There was a time in 2008 to 2012 I couldn't eat anything at all it was like I was eating concrete and glass . Also I believe that fatty liver disease can effect people differently. I have known a few people who ended up with colon cancer and they were all over weight so maybe fatty liver is part of the answer of why overweight people get colon cancer.

[cityman62 in reply to Hidden]

Right,so what are your latest fibroscan/ultrasound results coming out right now?

[Hidden in reply to cityman62]

I have only had the one fibro scan..... in 2 months I will get another one

[Hidden in reply to cityman62]

332dB/m for fat content and 4.9kpa for mild fibrosis....this test was done in June 2015. The photo of me is an old one but my body shape is about the same.....I am not obese or much overweight.

[cityman62 in reply to Hidden]

Frankly,with fibroscan results like that-time is totally on your side,not sure about the fatty side of it to be honest,as a comparison, my best ever result was 10.9-operative didn't feel it was accurate!worst-21.9.Mean results varying between 13.9-16,fibrotic/cirrhosis results,or if you like, hovering on f3/f4.Your future-at this moment in time-is totally in your hands-act on it!I'm sure you know the drill-low salt/no alcohol/no processed crap/easy on the red meat etc.Go for it,you've been warned!,best,Andy.

[Hidden in reply to cityman62]

Thanks for the encouragement Andy.....will do. This is what I mean by catching it early as to stave off anything more sinister from developing. I was lucky that I caught it....some one else who doesn't know might not be so lucky.

[cityman62 in reply to Hidden]

Totally right,for me,first sign was raised blood liver enzymes,then fatty liver,then enlarged spleen-,liver struggling and spleen enlarging because of reduced portal flow,then diagnosed with hep c,if you don't act now,the journey tends to get ugly-wicked,random muscle cramps,insomnia,bleeding like water on the tiniest mark,endless,hopeless itching-which makes you bleed-again!Depression,brain fog-forgetting words,friends names,pin numbers,stuff you should really NOT forget!Good luck-act now!

[mousehold]

Have you ever had hep C?

[Hidden in reply to mousehold]

hi no I have not

[mousehold in reply to Hidden]

Sorry thought I recognised your photo from a hep c forum k was on for years! Now I have got rid of hep c and had liver transplant last year I've been told new liver has fatty infiltration, most likely from all the steroids and anti rejection drugs. Does fatty liver feel inflamed and achey?

[Hidden]

thought this might be helpful, its a FIbroscan scoring card

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thank you perfect

[Stourie]

In June 2014 I had a reading for Alkaline Phosphatase of 237. The range is 30 - 130. Six weeks later the reading was 214. Do I need to worry and what can I do to help get it down. I only have a few drinks a couple of times a year.

Jo xx

[Hidden in reply to Stourie]

I guess it would depend on why it is raised... how is your diet ?

[Hidden in reply to Stourie]

In short, yes, this needs investigation. ALP is found in the bile ducts, so this indicates your bile ducts are getting damaged. Do you have the full Liver panel? Another cause of high ALP is bone cancer, to determine this another enzyme called GGT needs to be measured too, GGT is found in the bile ducts too but not the bones.

There is a condition called PBC that occurs in middle aged women, what has you doctor said about this?

[Bolly in reply to Stourie]

You need to get further investigations done as to why it is raised. It most likely has nothing to do with alcohol. There are many causes of liver damage that have nothing to do with alcohol. In women if the ALP is raised it can mean bone damage - again nothing to do with the liver. This level you tell us about was over a year ago - what did the doctors do about giving you a proper diagnosis at the time?

[Stourie in reply to Bolly]

They didn't do anything but maybe because I haven't been back. I am now thinking that I should go back and get it followed up. Thanks all for your replies. I am past middle age and am 63.

Jo xx

[Bolly in reply to Stourie]

Many people of that age do have early bone degeneration. But I wouldn't assume that is what it is. It's not a "normal" result so either go back to your GP and get bloods run again to see if the number has come down, or at least ask for an explanation as to what it might mean. Lots of us have "ostrich syndrome" and prefer to stick our heads in the sand and hope things go away. But if you think about it, prevention is better for you and cheaper for the NHS than an expensive or long term treatment.

[Stourie in reply to Bolly]

Thanks Bolly, you're right my head has been in the sand and I know I must do something as it comes to mind every now and again. I will go back and find out what I can and follow it through.

Thank you

Jo xx