Severe Fatty Liver

[SShally]

Hi, I have just diagnosed with severe fatty liver. Nurse told me it's grade 3. I have searched Google and its shows that this stage is irreversible and I may have few years left. Can some one help me and guide what I should do?

[AyrshireK]

The only stage of liver disease which is totally irreversible is full on cirrhosis, it's always possible to improve your liver health. Have you had any intimation that you have actual damage to your liver in the way of fibrosis? With fatty liver an improvement in diet, exercise and looking at other contributory factors can all improve fatty change.

British Liver Trust has some excellent information about Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver (NAFLD) at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/do...

Totally put away any talk of life expectancy that you may have read on line, these only come into play if people do nothing to help their liver health and folks can live very long lives even with pretty severe liver disease.

Katie

[SShally in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, Many thanks for replying back. No, I have no intimation of the liver damage so far. Doctor has prescribed few tests and I am waiting for the results. I feel dull pain on upper right corner of the abdomen sometimes and have itchy upper hands & lower feet at night.

[BritishLiverTrust11 Moderator]

Hello

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[PipM82]

Fatty liver to the best of my knowledge is totally reversible with lifestyle changes. I’d suggest you stay away from search engines and use credible websites like the British Liver Trust one to learn about the condition.

[SShally in reply to PipM82]

PipM82, thanks for replying back. I have used the British Liver Trust helpline and they are amazing. Using the website helped too. Thanks for sharing useful information.

[Grassroots112]

You need to get more test done to determine exactly what that means to you because extreme fatty liver certainly can be reversed. My liver cap score for example a year back was 340 something (it only goes to 400). It’s now 144 and shows little to no fatty deposits. Good luck.

[SShally in reply to Grassroots112]

Hi Grassroots112, thanks for replying. My GP has suggested few more tests. Which has done and I am Waiting for the test results. I am very anxious and all that things on Google didn't help either. I am not coping with this stress very well, however, replies received from all of you and British Liver Trust helped me to relax a bit. Thanks once again.

[Grassroots112 in reply to SShally]

Yeah don’t read Dr Google I did and it varied from I have months to live to I need a transplant. It’s natural to feel scared and stressed regarding your health when you’ve had a doctor say extreme fatty liver and are feeling some side effects of that, but try not to worry too much. It’s good that you’re being proactive and getting tested and if anything this can be a kind of wake up call like it was for me to finally start living a more healthier lifestyle and taking car if my body. You only have one and it’s what you put into your body and how you treat it that determines how you fare in life health wise. Hopefully further tests won’t reveal anything untoward and you can focus on reversing that fatty liver, again it most certainly can be done as I’ve done it. My own doctor who is a young fit and buff guy said my liver cap score is lower than his and that’s just ten months on from being hospitalised with jaundice and ascites from alcoholism and a really poor diet of takeaways every night and fatty processed foods. If your overweight that is key as well, you don’t have to starve yourself and become stick thin but even a decrease in a few pounds and regular exercise to get the heart and lungs pumping and your liver regenerating which can be done through exercise like just walking and you will soon see some results and improvements, again good luck.

[SShally in reply to Grassroots112]

I am glad I registered to this portal, thanks for sharing this with me. It helps.

[Confused2024]

SShally I wish I had that diagnosis! If it is due to alcohol stop immediately, eat mediterranean (healthy) style and exercise...I had sever fatty liver 2 years ago and was not told unfortunately and now I am dealing with a diagnosis of cirrhosis and trust me you do not want your liver to get there...I am no Dr but all I know is it is very reversible if it is from alcohol and if it is from weight etc get eating right and exercise and you should be ok...for alcohol it says 4 weeks for average but up to several months if severe from what I have learned...best to check with your Dr but in the meantime you can start to be proactive and who knows...maybe by the time you see your Dr you will have reversed it already....best of luck to you...😍

[SShally in reply to Confused2024]

Hi Confused2024, I am sorry to hear that you were not made aware of your liver condition in time. Of course, you can take measures if you are aware of the situation. I don't drink alcohol at all and don't even smoke. I am practically married to my office chair because of my job, however, I am trying to move in every hour now. The nurse told me at the time of blood test that I have fatty liver grade 3 but they haven't told if it cirrosis or I have scarring. They said ultra sound isn't very clear. You can imagine since that day the amount of stress I sm in. I am vegetarian and now I don't know if I can drink milk, eat yogurt, consume dairy, or wheat flour. I am basically eating fruits and vegetables. I know I can eat nuts but I don't know the quantity. Olive oil for cooking is good but a tea spoon a day..I am struggling

[Confused2024]

Like I said - for a sick liver it is mostly mediterranean diet and making sure you watch salt/sugar/fried foods/no red meat which you already do....lots of fruit/veggies and water.

I hope/pray for you that this is in time and you can turn it around. I know you can do it!!! You have to put ALL your energy into this and turn it around which you have a very good chance of doing...trust me I would love for this to be my diagnosis right now...not saying you should not be stressed but think as positive as you can and once you clear this up which I know you will - keep on with the healthy lifestyle and you will be just fine!!!

I am staying as positive as I possibly can because I believe even cirrhosis is reversible and I for one intend to prove it!!

Have a great day and take care!

[SShally]

Hi, I wish the same for you. May you feel better and I wish for your speedy recovery. Thank you once again for sharing the information.

[Confused2024]

You are going to be just fine...one thing that is not highlighted alot is that once a person has fatty liver...be it from nutrition or alcohol I understand that it is easier to come back. So...incentive to eat well and exercise and use your Saturdays to treat yourself once you are all clear.

A tip on the side - I have issues unfortunately because of diet and alcohol - one of the things I started doing during those long sits in the office chair is stand while I was on some calls and do leg lifts/scissor legs - weights with your hands...all brings up your blood pressure even a little and and helps!!

[ceward204]

Fatty liver over time can progress to NASH.

NASH has various stages depending on the scoring system

Typically 0 to 4 with 4 being cirrhosis.

Stage 3 which is bridging Fibrosis, with portals involved. You can typically reverse that to a 2 or a 1 with health style changes. But you have damage.

Typically a person 1-3 who looks after themselves will have a full life with no cirrhosis.

At stage 4 starting cirrhosis, things change and typically its can be 20 years + before things start to slide.

All Stage 3 means 66% of your liver mass is fat. Your liver is inflamed.

Diet reduce your weight by 10% get exercise vit E to help with inflammation.

Do take it serious, your body is telling you its time to make some changes in life.

[SShally in reply to ceward204]

Hi Ceward204, thanks for your reply. This was the situation I was most afraid of. I am reading about stage 3 and I know that GP wasn't very forth coming about my ultra sound scan. She ordered a lots of test, I would say complete MOT. It was a red flag for me. It took them one year to book me in for a ultra sound scan. I am just hoping that my test results come clean but I know that is not going to be. I am having itchy feet and palma at night with dull pain, so, you might be right. Damage is done