Fatty liver

[nosferatu]

A recent blood test gave these results: AST48; ALT 43; GGTP 787.

I've been over-drinking for a couple of months - job loss sent me into a depression. I haven't had a drink since I got this result (10 days), and the doctor says the damage is reversible: moderately fatty liver, no scarring, gall bladder fine, etc.)

I had no pain or jaundice before, and no withdrawal symptoms or cravings since.

How soon can I expect to get back to normal liver function? I'm a 51-year-old male.

[jojokarak]

Hi and great for stopping the booze.... As we are all different it could take anywhere from a couple of months to a year ... The only really concerning blood result you have is GGT that's extremely high so that will probably take a while to come down but it will if you continue booze free .. and great news it's reversible 🙂

[nosferatu in reply to jojokarak]

Thanks jojokarak. Any idea how long "a while" might be? The doctor said a couple of months, but that sounds very optimistic.

[jojokarak in reply to nosferatu]

Your bloods should be back to normal within a year with no alcohol and a good fresh diet x

[Hidden]

Hi there, I totally agree with Jojo, it's great that you've stopped drinking, and in a way I hope you'll be able to treat this condition as a wake-up call.

Our liver is a most wondrous organ. it is responsible for carrying out over 500 different functions. It passes around 2000 litres of blood and filters it 350 times per day. The liver has a unique capability to restore itself after an inflammation, trauma, poisoning or other stress.

30–50 percent of liver diseases are caused by alcohol. The Liver puts up with a lot of abuse, all without complaining. It doesn't have any pain receptors so can't tell you when it's poorly. However, there is a thin membrane that surrounds the liver, and this does contain pain receptors. As the liver becomes damaged, it can swell, and become enlarged. This will cause the membrane to expand and stretch which can cause pain and discomfort.

Like so many of us, we really don't always get to know just how much damage has been to our livers before it's too late and the damage is permanent. It sounds as though you are fortunate in one respect, as your liver damage has been identified at the fatty liver stage. This is totally reversible, and given time, the liver will fully regenerate. You should begin to see a change even after two weeks of non drinking of alcohol. But I would suggest at least two months for the liver to fully recover. This shouldn't be a sign to start heavy drinking again though. I should point out that I am NOT medically qualified, but have experienced first-hand of the damage that can be caused through alcohol abuse.

Like I said earlier, this is a wake-up call and hopefully you'll have a greater understanding of the importance of the liver and treat it with a lot more respect, try and begin to "Love your Liver".

You'll find plenty of information and advice regarding liver conditions on the British Liver Trusts website. I would also like to draw your attention to my own website, which deals with most of the aspects of alcohol-related liver disease: taep.eu

Good Luck

Regards

Richard.