Association Between Anxiety and Depression and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

[Richard-Allen]

As some of you know, I often like to share information about liver disease. I have found that the more I learn and understand, the easier it is to accept and deal with certain situations if I happen to understand what is causing them.

For example, if a person was suffering from depression, knowing the cause can often help to alleviate the problem. It’s a bit like coming to terms with something and in doing so gives a person a sort of closure and understanding.

Last Monday, I had a phone call with the Medical Director of our local Combined Healthcare NHS Trust. During our conversation he was asking about liver disease and mental health, he asked me if I knew of any studies where a liver function test was used on people with mental health issues, and if there was any data out there.

I email a few people I happen to know down at the UCL. One of them came up with this case study which I felt may be of interest to others.

This may seem a little heavy for some people but may also be helpful to others: frontiersin.org/articles/10...

[Fibro2021]

Thanks for the link, Richard. I think they should have tested the ammonia levels in these patients. I'm sure they could be surprised on many occasions. An increase in ammonia levels in the pre-cirrhotic stage of liver disease has recently been discussed in medical articles. Perhaps this can also be the cause of depression, who knows.

[Readlots]

Thanks Richard, this is really interesting. Interesting that the effect is twice as high in women as men. I’m wondering if there is a hormonal element. Menopause causes an increase in anxiety. Good to see there is an increase in research into the link between mental and physical health.

[AmericanDemocrat]

This is fascinating, Richard. I didn’t read far enough to see if they discussed inflammation. But it’s part of obesity and also depression. The anxiety connection is particularly interesting. Thanks for sharing this.

[MicheleG33]

Hi Richard, thanks for adding this link. My son is high functioning ASD and has had huge issues with anxiety, so much so it prevented him attending his last 2 years of upper school and now college.He was recently diagnosed with AIH, whilst reading info from the british liver trust and other sources, he noticed depression and anxiety being mentioned alot.

It's an interesting theory. His stress levels have been incredibly high at times causing him to just switch off. Like his body turned off to deal with it.

Could these episodes have triggered some response he wonders.

Interesting reading, thanks for posting this research. I'll pass it on to him.

[Roy1955]

What came first, the chicken or the egg.I spent decades treating my depression with strong lager, wine and vodka.

The fact I was drinking got me labeled with alcohol induced cirrhosis but a very senior Dr said NAFLD was the main culprit.

[Me27]

l found the research very interesting what are your views on hormones and their effect on the liver? I am trying to obtain endocrine and hormone tests as l think these tests are difficult to obtain as medics seem to give diagnosis but not explore why something like a liver or organ is not working properly. Also other illnesses not found may cause low mood and anxiety. What are your thoughts?

[Richard-Allen in reply to Me27]

Hi Me, just to let you know that I have sent you a private message.