Some questions/discussion topics on fatty liver

[Unknown007]

Hi,

Was advised I had a fatty liver at the end of 2018 (likely from alcohol, but see one of q’s Below).

1. Alcoholic fatty liver vs non alcoholic, is this more the treatment for it as opposed to two different diseases? I.e, neither are medically distinguishable? How are people who eat badly, don’t exercise, drink in excess, etc, dropped into either category?

2. Is there a lack of knowledge (at gp level, sonographers) on liver disease? When I had my ultrasound the sonographer basically said ‘it’s very common, loads of people have it’ I certainly didn’t leave the hospital with any worry. Was much the same case with the follow up appointment with my gp who simply went on the computer and read out the healthy alcohol limits. It’s only since researching myself that I realise the seriousness

3. What does a follow up (if any) consist of? I want to know my lifestyle improvements have had an effect, but barring taking bloods (that came back fine) the gp Doesn’t see the need for another ultrasound. I’ve actually felt sick in the back of throat for the last 2 months and convinced myself it’s the liver, for which the doctor thinks is anxiety and advised counselling.

4. Sorry, last one > given the point the above, I’m planning on having a private ultrasound done (more for piece of mind than wanting to be able to have another drink again as the worry is taking over my life). How long would anyone suggest a ‘perfect diet/exercise/non drinking’ duration would be needed to see a difference since last scan?

Many thanks in advance. Out of interest, has anyone else had nausea in back of throat from liver problems? (I don’t have a dodgy tummy, feel generally queasy, etc)

Thanks again

[Bootandall]

Hello from America! 🙋 I'm here to tell you, worry can and does make you really ill.

I wonder if what you describe could be acid reflux? Try a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.

1. There is no difference between treatment for NAFLD and alcoholic fatty liver, to my knowledge. Both require abstinence from alcohol, a clean diet, exercise to keep muscles strong, loads of sex. J/k on the last one, just seeing if you're paying attention lol that's completely optional! 😉

I myself had hepatitis C, during my evaluation for treatment l was diagnosed with cirrhosis, after treatment I had ultrasound at six month f/u, followed by MRI with contrast 6 months later (I'm fat around the middle now, always been thin but curvy, now just fat) to get a better picture, that's when I was diagnosed with fatty liver. My next f/u is at end of July, seems to be the protocol.

2. Your gp, like most, knows only the very basics, jack of all trades master of few comes to mind, but they're the gatekeeper to the specialist who has the answers.

3. Counseling for anxiety can be very useful, if you have the time and inclination it can be a useful process regardless of your condition.

Follow up for cirrhosis usually means some type of imaging and blood panels every six months to screen for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). I don't know what would be standard for fatty liver without cirrhosis, maybe someone else will chime in?

4. My completely unscientific guess is at least 6-12 months, I really don't know.

Bottom line, don't beat yourself up about how/if you "caused" your disease, lots of people who drink to excess and stuff their faces also apparently don't have cirrhosis or fatty liver. Life isn't fair, so what 😁

[Unknown007 in reply to Bootandall]

Thank you!

[Owlie]

Hi,

Rather than thinking in terms of how long it will take to make a difference with the ‘perfect diet’ etc, you need to think about changing your lifestyle full stop. Eating healthily, exercising regularly and keeping your weight down. Everyone is different and so the amount of time it takes for one person will be different for another. I can tell you that my test results have fallen constantly and improved dramatically since I changed my regime and I am sticking with it as I know it works. A word of warning, if you think you can be healthy for a few months and go back to your old ways, it won’t work and you could end up in a worse situation.

[10720]

Mine was initially picked up by a scan a few years back and other than telling me to lose weight (I was then under 11 stone) GP didn't seem bothered. I have however recently had a Medichecks general blood panel and they revealed high fatty liver markers (not alcoholic related, I very rarely drink alcohol so presumably related to visceral fat?). My research has suggested vitamin E as being good for the liver and reducing carbs in my diet for losing the fat around my waist area - anyone been on the ketones diet? I intend to do another blood test at the end of the summer - that might be something you could consider? Cost around £100 including a nurse visit to take the blood sample but you can opt to visit a local hospital which costs less. You get a full table of results plus an interpretation of them by a doctor.

[Woodystar]

I have nafld and according to my GP and Lipid specialist it's caused by genetic familial hypercholesteremia. Alongside that I have stage 3 CKD and fibromyalgia. A healthy diet just wasn't helping me at all and I've always tried to move and excercise as much as I can, other than I would have been much worse if I did drink a lot or ate a poor diet.

I still continue with a healthy Mediterranean diet and only an occasional half glass of red wine, and try to keep moving but I now also take a statin which has brought my cholesterol down and I now have hope of helping my liver regardless of the fact that I have to take a statin. My last blood tests were better than they have been for a few years as the fat in my liver was becoming inflamed and my ALT was high, it's now back within normal range.

When my liver was at its worst then I also had gastritis and reflux and had to prop myself up on pillows to go to sleep.

Check out your cholesterol levels if you've not done so