Diagnosis - Large fatty liver

[Sunflower85]

Hi everyone, I have just joined this group as I was told two days ago, I have a large and very fatty liver 😨Initially I went to my GP as I was suffering from (what I thought) IBS. For over 18 months I had random attacks of a sudden urgency to go to the bathroom. If I could not get to a bathroom in time, well let's just say it wasn't a pleasant situation! Sometimes it would be accompanied with really bad stomach pains. Several times the pain would make me almost faint and as well as the diarrhea, I would also be vomiting, dripping with sweat and short of breath. The episode could last from 10minutes to 1hour! It is truly terrifying!

My doctor order a blood test and poo samples. Everything came back ok, but my triglycerides were very high. She then ordered an abdominal scan.

That brings me to two days ago. The doctor say my liver was very large and has a lot of fat. I was told to make an appointment with my GP, to discuss the results. I have made an appointment and it is on 28/03/23.

I am now freaking out! I have so many questions...

• am I going to get liver failure and die??? I am only 38!

• have they discovered and additional illness that has nothing to do with the diarrhea, or is it related?

Any advice or support would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post!

[AyrshireK]

Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the fastest rising cause of liver damage in the western world - the good news is it is reversible providing you follow a good diet and increase exercise and generally look after yourself to prevent progression. Fatty liver can go on to lead to fibrosis so it's important not to ignore it and to actually take steps if you are perhaps carrying too much weight and/or not eating the best you could.

The BLT has a wonderful page all about NAFLD and also some literature about treating the condition with healthy diet and exercise plus a study about the benefits of a Mediterranean Style diet for looking after your liver and preventing fatty liver.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/do...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/ea...

There are specific guidelines in place for managing fatty liver disease which may also be useful to you going forward to make sure you are receiving appropriate care and monitoring. bsg.org.uk/clinical-resourc...

Katie

[Sunflower85 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you so much! Yes I definitely need to lose weight and have stopped drinking alcohol.

What usually happens next? Is there normally further testing to see what stage you are and how is it usually done?

Many thanks

[AyrshireK in reply to Sunflower85]

The NICE guidelines I posted detail next steps so yes there should be some testing done to establish what stage of condition you are at i.e. checking to see if there is yet any fibrosis in the liver - you may need further scans or there are specific blood tests used which can calculate fibrosis (ELF Test - Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test).

1.2 Assessment for advanced liver fibrosis in people with NAFLD

Identifying people with advanced liver fibrosis

1.2.1 Offer testing for advanced liver fibrosis to people with NAFLD.

1.2.2 Consider using the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test in people who have been diagnosed with NAFLD to test for advanced liver fibrosis.

1.2.3 Do not use routine liver blood tests to assess for advanced liver fibrosis in people with NAFLD.

1.2.4 Diagnose people with advanced liver fibrosis if they have:

an ELF score of 10.51 or above and NAFLD.

1.2.5 Refer adults and young people diagnosed with advanced liver fibrosis to a relevant specialist in hepatology.

1.2.6 Explain to people with an ELF score below 10.51 that:

they are unlikely to have advanced liver fibrosis and

reassessment for advanced liver fibrosis every 3 years for adults and every 2 years for children and young people is sufficient for regular monitoring and no interim tests are needed.

Give the person advice about lifestyle modifications they may be able to make (see section 1.2).

1.2.7 Offer retesting for advanced liver fibrosis for people with an ELF score below 10.51: every 3 years to adults

every 2 years to children and young people.

1.2.8 Consider using ELF for retesting people with advanced liver fibrosis.

Lifestyle changes are your treatment so making those changes is imperative and even with NAFLD it's important to cut out booze too so well done on that.

ELF test should be next step and if that comes up as indicating fibrosis then it says referral to hepatology.

Best wishes,

Katie

[MINTVCX in reply to AyrshireK]

"advanced liver fibrosis" does it mean F3-F4 (Metavir) here?

[Hidden in reply to Sunflower85]

When you say stopped drinking alcohol, how much alcohol did you used to drink?

[Sunflower85 in reply to Hidden]

Every evening, 2-4 small cans of lager 😞

[Sunflower85]

Thank you, that's made it a lot clearer 🌷

[Roy1955]

Only comment I can make is don't let the Dr's assume your symptoms are caused by fatty liver.Its highly likely its a coincidental diagnosis and not related.

It's very common for liver disease to be discovered while investigating unrelated symptoms.

Yes it needs addressing as it's an early warning of future problems but probably not a reason to stop investigating what's causing you to be ill.

[Peeke]

Hi. I had explosive bowel movements that would stop me from going out to eat, not able to eat at work, having to take immodium if I had to go out longer than a few hours.I did not mention this to my Dr, but have stopped drinking due to fatty liver picked up after abnormal bloods. Since stopping drinking, my bowels have returned to normal. I was drinking 4 to 6 cans of beer each evening. I am female, aged 43.

[JBullot66]

Hi I have been diagnosed with fatty liver not overweight, my bloods showed liver enzymes were high. Had liver biopsy which confirmed this. But strange thing was put under hepatologist for while as like you had them symptoms. Which now also been diagnosed with Crohns Disease which can effect liver my Gastroenterology clinic said. Got checked for PSC too of liver. As some people who get diagnosed with either crohns or colitis can at times have this which is a liver condition. I had to cut all meat out as liver can't digest it well & was always poorly after eating it. You can make changes with diet if have fatty liver too if helps. Hope your GP appointment goes ok good luck.

[Sunflower85]

*UPDATE*Today I saw my GP for the results of the scan. She confirmed that my liver was large and fatty and told me I am at stage 3.

I have been told to eat healthily and try and do more exercise to lose weight.

I have an appointment at the hospital to see the 'digestivo' in April, (I live in the Canary Islands , so I am assuming it translates at digestion? Dietician?). I was told to take the report of my scan and they will advise me further.

I feel at a loss.... Shocked..... Saddened. Scared..... Worried....