Fatty Liver

[Betsy5]

Hello.

I have recently been diagnosed with fatty liver. I have been a heavy drinker for at least 25 years.

My question is: How long will it take for my liver to recover if I abstain from alcohol completely?

I understand that there is no set figure but any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for your help

[jbrking]

Hi, without knowing your levels etc, if you abstain completely, eat clean, exercise etc, you should see results fairly quickly. It's difficult to say how long until it's "normal" but I bet you will see a hell of a difference in months. Your GP should test again within 3-6 months to monitor you, and hopefully you'll see a real difference.

[Betsy5 in reply to jbrking]

Hi There. Thanks for the reply.

I don't really know much about the numbers but the last time I was at my GP she showed me the computer screen.

15 yrs ago there was a number 70 which is now 200 and the was a number 7 which is now 14. The higher numbers were highlighted in Red.

If I can get them down to a reasonable level in 3-6 months that would great.And hard work.

[jbrking in reply to Betsy5]

The 70-200 sounds like the ALT - mine was that high (not through alcohol) I have hereditary high cholesterol and a bowel condition. The 7 now 14 could be cholesterol. Aged 38 I was put on a statin, fenofibrate and BP meds just to protect me from having a stroke. Initially my ALT came down, and then stabled around 70-80 for many years. Last year for some reason it went to 120 and I had other tests and a scan in Oct which confirmed S3 fibrosis. BUT that's cos of my other medication conditions and all the meds I have to take for that. With good diet, exercise, and abstaining from alcohol, there's no reason why yours shouldn't come down within normal levels.

[Ubwa]

As you yourself said, everyone is different. Just stop drinking, live healthier and go from there.

If you start to expect things to take x and don’t meet that goal, you risk feeling down and potentially doing something silly to jeopardise your recovery. Slow and steady is the best was, it’s not a race.

[Betsy5 in reply to Ubwa]

Thats good advice. Slow and steady. I found its not that easy just to go cold turkey. I'm trying and my " liver Palms" red hands remind me everyday.

Thanks

[kensimmons]

I am not a doctor but I would say six months, but if no results then, don't despair, it takes up to a year or two for some. Keep at it, you can do it! Good luck!

[Betsy5 in reply to kensimmons]

Thanks for the encouragement . I know it's a rocky road but I have started.Personally it's more mental than physical. I work in the entertainment business so its tough not be around booze.

[kensimmons]

I work in the entertainment industry too. For me it's tough to not be around booze but quite easy to not drink it. If anyone asks, I say I don't drink because high blood pressure runs in my family for generations so my doctor said no drinking or I will probably have to start taking blood pressure pills. Then everyone totally backs off. Works like a charm! Even in the entertainment industry! No-one wants to cause a heart attack!

[Betsy5 in reply to kensimmons]

Good Idea.! I´ll have to come up with a good excuse.

[kensimmons]

Or just say you are taking medication for something and so, sorry, no mixing with alcohol. Always works. Anything else just leads to "oh cmon, just have one".