Did you know that 90% of health care professionals think NASH is often missed? How do you feel about that?

[nash2]

A recent survey of primary care, internists, and hepatologists about how well they thought the profession was dealing with the liver disease epidemic indicates that we have a very serious problem just diagnosing the illness. The consequence is that people get sicker than they had to before their illness is identified. If you have had that experience would you mind sharing your story with us? We will use them to advocate for change.

[mauschen]

I was diagnosed by my local doctor based upon my questions regarding abnormal LFT’s. Nothing was done about it then and nothing three years later when a lung CT inadvertently picked up a massive liver. Despite these findings and my plethoric face, nothing was done. When I asked, I was told “that’s not our department”. A year later, I was diagnosed with diabetes and was referered to an endocrinologist because of multilple endocrine related diagnosis. This lady took my questions seriously and arranged for an ultrasound. Three months later after the results confirmed fatty liver disease, I had a fibroscan at my request and now I get an uktrasound every six months but no treatment.

[nash2 Partner in reply to mauschen]

Hi Mauschen it is important to understand that medicine has nothing that they can do to help except to advise you about lifestyle. There are no pills. However, there is a treatment. Dietary changes can spare the liver but that is up to you. Most people can manage it if they view food as medicine and are kind to their liver. Here is a link that might help you

fattyliverfoundation.org/di...

[mauschen in reply to nash2]

Thank you for the link. However, with respect, I disagree with your response. You assume that my lifestyle needs correction which is what most doctors believe. My diet is good, no junk food (I cook everything from scratch), no alcohol (never) , non smoker, regular gymnastics plus dog walking and I only drink water.In my youth I had a sweet tooth but was never overweight and I still like a chocolate biscuit or a big chunk of white bread with jam. However, I have been diagnosed over the last 10 years with multiple co morbitities and poly pharmacy which could be related.

In my opinion too little is known about NAFLD and therefore one should refrain from jumping to conclusions until the full facts are known.

[nash2 Partner in reply to mauschen]

Hi Mauschen, your lifestyle seems well done, congratulations. Apparently you are part of the patient group whose disease is caused by some other factor. There are a wide range of problems that can cause fibrosis. One of the leaders is infections like the several hepatitis viruses, and there are auto immune problems, or bacterial infections from the gut, as well as environmental toxins, just to name a few. We focus on fatty liver related disease because it is the most common, and usually our diet advice is useful for someone with other problems but everyone does walk a different road so you may need to do things differently in your particular case. Hopefully a doctor might be able to determine what is really causing the problem.

[Granny56 in reply to nash2]

Thank you, your response is very interesting. I do suffer from multiple organ autoimmune disease including PA and chronic gastritis A, and therefore would be very interested in any information.

When I sign in on my iPhone I get signed in under my different username.

[utep99]

Sorry got to agree here. My health care comes through the Veterans Administration and two years ago began showing signs of cirrhosis. one month ago somebody decided it was but by that time it was too late and cirrhosis NASH became part of my life.

[nash2 Partner]

One of the big issues we are trying to get attention for is the fact that it is not the standard of care to look for liver disease before it becomes cirrhosis. It is not just the VA that ignores it, the medical profession officially waits until you get sick to respond. We don't do that with colon cancer and we screen other things with people who aren't yet ill. I believe it is a moral failure to ignore the early stages of this disease, but I'm just a victim of the policy. That is why we advocate for early screening. If that subject is of interest here is a link

fattyliverfoundation.org/sc...