Hello my son has NASH at 22yrs of age....he will be 23 in 4days.

[Sarahvit]

Hi all I’m new to this forum. My son has fatty liver but on farther testing he was diagnosed with NASH. After his ultrasound the lady from the doctor’s office said he has what half of middle age Americans have fatty liver. His farther died at a young age of 53 due to complications from diabetes. As far as I know he was never diagnosed with fatty liver. His biological farther was an alcoholic so he died at the age of 52. Jeff (my ex) had just turn 53 on September 24, 2017 and died on October 6, 2017. My son does not drink 🍷 alcoholic beverages. He is a little over weight by 10-15 lbs but is 6’2”tall. He was a 2nd generation premie, I was the first and my grandson is the 3rd we all were 3lbs 14,13,11oz in that order. My daughter is currently in the hospital at 32wks pregnant 4cm dilated was not having contractions. All this is baby Sophia kicking and pushing on her cervix. Sorry I got off topic here. A lot going on with both my stepdaughter who also is in hospital with Crohn’s and partial intestinal blockage and my daughter. Both out of town and mine out of state. Boy I got off topic. NASH my son has it at such a young age I don’t know if I have fatty liver or not. My father was a working alcoholic so there was liver damage there too but he died from lung cancer. Both my and my ex farthers were smokers. Mine stopped smoking in 1996 after having a severe nose blood that he ended up in ICU with 🤔?..pints of blood being pumped into him. I think it was 7. The doctor told him he had 2 choices 1 continue to smoke and die or 2 stop and live. He chose to live and never picked up a cigarette after that. So my son knows the alcohol abuse on both sides of the family. So he is living a healthier life style. This is my son and one of 3 of our fur babies.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Sarah

You certainly have a plateful. A few things to think about. When someone as young as your son has a liver problem it is really important to be sure of the diagnosis. We know there are genetics involved but the researchers are still figuring that out so that is one thing. We are seeing more young people with the disease but your son doesn't really fit the profile so it seems like there is more to learn. Was your son diagnosed by a hepatologist, a liver specialist? If not my suggestion is to get him to one of them. Most docs aren't really trained in liver disease. From your story, it would be worth while to be examined yourself. We aren't doctors so we can't really give you medical advice, but there is a lot of information on our website that may help you learn about the problem.

fattyliverfoundation.org/

Wayne

[Sarahvit in reply to nash2]

Thank you Wayne yes he did see a liver specialist in Monroe NC. He ruled out Wilson’s disease. Thank you for the link. I know I am negative for hepatitis C. The other week I was having my blood drawn there was a sign for all baby boomers to be tested for hepatitis C so I inquired and they looked it up and I was tested in 2013. My liver function have been normal but with this last blood draw they were testing that. But my memory has been failing me (fibromyalgia causes fibro fog) but will try and remember to ask my doctor about it when I see her in two weeks. 😊

[Sallywolf in reply to Sarahvit]

Wow they ruled out wilsons. That means they are at least considering the less common causes. Thats a good thing. My doctors have always just tested for common things and when those test came back negatibe they labeled me a complainer.... up until my endo found something on my bloodwork everyone else had ignored. Doctors i see seem to balk at the idea of testing for rarer causes simply because they are rare and therefore cant possibly be the case

Also sadly nash wasnt really known in decades past so unless they have symptoms any relatives with nash could easily have lived and died never having known.

Just be glad he found out at this age so he can do things to counter act it instead of being clueless about what to do intil it was essentially too late

[Sarahvit in reply to Sallywolf]

Sally this is sad but true that doctors are more aggressive with men than they are with women. They both can present with the same exact symptoms and the doctors will run more tests on the man and the woman just a few basic tests and find nothing and give her prescription for antidepressants while then man gets the right treatment.

The women ends up seeing more doctors before getting the right diagnosis.

I’m glad they found what was causing your problem and have you on the right treatment now. 😊💕

[utep99]

I am so sorry to hear about your son. See a specialist get him on a good diet and get h6 medicated. As that NASH is not going to get better but a lot of research is being done and hopefully they will get a cure. He still has a long time to go but keep up with blood work and meds.

[Sarahvit in reply to utep99]

Thank you 🙏 he did see the specialist and he is just to be monitored at this stage. 😊💕

[Jek19]

My mother went from Nash to cirrhosis and died a horrible death. She was not an alcoholic but she loved sweets. She was not over weight. She was a type 2 diabetic. She was able to keep her ac1 in check. My brother and I both have fatty liver. I have a sweet tooth, but don't drink much alcohol. My brother isn't a sweet tooth but he likes his beer. He isn't an alcoholic but he does have a couple most days. Personally I think it's the sugars, since alcohol turns into sugar in your body its not much different then eating sugar. I would suggest eating like a type one diabetic for anyone with fatty liver. Make sure you have a hepatic panel done every year at your physical. And don't trust any doctor totally. Check your numbers every year if there is a slight change it could indicate the start of cirrhosis. I sound strong about this because I miss my mom everyday and I don't wish cirrhosis on anyone.

[Sarahvit in reply to Jek19]

Hi Jek19, I just wrote a message in response to your post and it just disappeared!! I hate when that happens. Thank you 😊 for your response. My son is aware of his condition and does get his level functions checked. His dad died at age 53 and his dad died at age 52, he was an alcoholic and his son who was my son’s dad was a uncontrolled diabetic. So this is on the back burner of my son’s mind.

[Sarahvit]

Thank you Jek19, he is very aware of his diet and not to consume a lot of sweets. He dad died at age 53 and his dad at 52. This is in the back of his mind. He will be monitoring his level functions during his annual physicals.

[utep99]

There are so many new advancement in controlling and new transplant ideas that are proven to work. Do not feel alone we are here with you and we are all in the same boat. Remember never give up and fight and tell your son to fight. He may never even face the end from this condition. I am sure with proper diet and medications he is going to be fine, Have a good GI Doctor take care of him no alcohol cut out fast food and eat a Mediterranean diet these are good starting points and exercise is a must. Take heart and know no matter what he can talk to us when he feels low or just wants to scream and vent, you are welcome also we do care for both you and your son.

[Sarahvit in reply to utep99]

Thank you Utep99, he is a picky eater but he does not drink alcohol. He knows better about that for both his biological grandfathers were alcoholics my dad was a working alcoholic and I think my ex’s biological father was just an alcoholic. He died right before I met Jeff (my son’s dad). His dad died at age 52 and Jeff died at age 53 for two different reasons but yet the same they didn’t take care of the body that God gave them. So my son know the history there and doesn’t want to follow in the same foot steps that they did. It makes it hard when I have a long laundry list of health problems starting with fibromyalgia and CFS and company(all those other diagnosis that jump on board like thyroid cancer, 3 goiters before it turned into cancer) neuropathy, achalasia, GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, interstitial cystitis and ulcerative colitis to name a few of the top of my head). My husband is also disabled due to morbid obesity, diabetic, asthma and chronic cellulitis. My son does work at JC Penny’s part time. He gets a workout at his job. Thank you again. My stepdaughter has Crohn’s which is giving her a hard time in recent months and my daughter just had her daughter at 33wks and little Sophia was discharged today to go home. She is doing good. So is mommy. 😊💕