Hi everyone! I’m 31 years old and just 2 months ago I was diagnosed with mild fatty liver after having some abdominal pain. My LFts were just moderately high. I have been drinking heavily and daily for about a year and half. I used to drink just moderately on the weekends. I have now finally decided to quit drinking completely but it’s been 2 months since my diagnosis. I’m so worried that I could have cirrhosis but I don’t really have any other symptoms besides the abdominal pain. I’m having big time anxiety over this and would like to get some feedback on whether or not you think I could have cirrhosis already? Thank you!
Alcoholic fatty liver? : Hi everyone! I... - British Liver Trust
Alcoholic fatty liver?
I also have to say I did get a sonogram done and it said mild infiltration of the liver/probable fatty liver. My doctor didn’t seem too worried and wants to check my levels again in a few months. My anxiety is just through the roof and of course I think I’m dying. I hope I can reverse the damage that’s been done by quitting alcohol forever!
At 31, you wouldn't get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the youngest ever to toast his/her liver with alcohol; but it would be unusual to see advanced disease at your age after 1.5 years of heavy drinking.
Most younger folks who develop cirrhosis have had warning signs like acute alcoholic hepatitis requiring hospitalization, or repeated medical detox and relapse.
Statistically, only 20% of lifetime alcoholics go on to die from cirrhosis, provided they don't have co-factors like diabetes or viral Hep-C.
Male alcoholics who do develop alcoholic cirrhosis tend to do so in their late 40s to early 50; though females can get into trouble earlier.
Keep the faith all will come out right in the end, & when all else fails, trust your doctor!
How is the liver doing now?