Stool Changes with NAFLD/NASH?

[Ajo13]

I forgot to mention in my last post that I was curious if any of you had any stool changes prior or after being diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH. I’ve noticed a change in the color of my stool and also that it has a tendency to float which I believe means there’s too much fat in it. I wasn’t sure if this was a problem related to my liver issues or something else entirely. Thanks again for all your help so far.

[nash2 Partner]

Everyone's chemistry and diet have their own variables so it is hard to generalize, but the liver is a key part of the digestive system. It produces chemicals required for digestion and gets all of its resources from the bowels so any change in the way the liver is functioning will have some effect on how the bowel operates so changes are part of the game for most people.

[Kitkatnash]

It is a sign. If continues ongoing

[Ajo13 in reply to Kitkatnash]

A sign of fatty liver or Nash or a sign of something else?

[Kitkatnash in reply to Ajo13]

whoops looks like my reply was cut off, by Me somehow. From what I understand it indicates a change in bile and proper digestion when the liver is not working 100%. There are images online which are not fun to look at but show you what to look for. I have had changes on and off.. Just keep up a good diet. There are other reasons that stool colors change so if you have any other health conditions you need to see a doctor who is following your liver disease to discuss. I had my gallbladder removed to prevent infection in my liver. We can't answer you for sure here so be sure you keep in contact with medical specialist.

[Ajo13 in reply to Kitkatnash]

Okay, thank you. I am actually having a HIDA scan tomorrow to make sure that the pain I have in my RUQ isn’t coming from my gallbladder since my doctor insists you can’t feel liver pain. I don’t have diabetes or high blood pressure, nor do I have elevated liver enzymes so they are basically disregarding the NASH theory that an ER doctor had when he found my fatty liver. Also, I’m pretty young so I think that turns them away from it also. I have a hard time finding symptoms of NASH and the stool change is really the only change I’ve experience besides the RUQ pain. All of it is really overwhelming and has my anxiety completely out of control.

[Kitkatnash]

Let us know how you are and I hope you are able to rest. It is stressful not knowing. Rely on family or friend if you can. Best wishes that all is ok tomorrow.

[Yokoohno]

I have a FL, and I do have a stool change. My stool is often yellow. I'm just learning myself.

This was all very surprising. Best to you

[Ajo13 in reply to Yokoohno]

That’s exactly what I’m experiencing for the last month. Was pretty concerning, glad to see that it can happen with fatty liver. I was worried about my pancreas.

[NeverBeen2Spain in reply to Ajo13]

Did they ever check your pancreas? Did your stools ever look pale?

[Darkdog]

Hi Ajo. What were your results for the HIDA scan ? Also is there a way you can take a picture and color mark the right upper quadrant where you are reciving the pain ?

[Ajo13 in reply to Darkdog]

My HIDA scan was great, nothing wrong with my gallbladder. I can do that with a picture. It’s essentially right under my right breast. Feels like it wraps around the side a bit too. I see the gastroenterologist again tomorrow. She called to let me know the HIDA scan was fine and let me know again she doesn’t think the pain is from liver since my liver enzymes are all normal. It’s an endless cycle.

[Darkdog in reply to Ajo13]

good to hear that ajo. How long you had the pain ? I also suffered from the pain pre diagnosed fatty liver from the ultrasound but now it has subsided due to diet and exercise. However, I still feel when I sit down that my right side is a little heavier than the left and my right rib is swollen.

Due to my lover enzyme normal, they also say it’s muskuskeletol.

Anyhow good luck ajo

[Ajo13 in reply to Darkdog]

Had to come back here and tell you that when I saw the doctor last week he tried to tell me that my pain is musculoskeletal too. He wants me to start getting a weekly injection to mask the pain so I won’t be able to feel it. I’m not doing that because I don’t believe at all that it’s musculoskeletal.

[Rick6776]

Have your liver enzymes ever been elevated? Mine is intermittently elevated. The reason why I ask is that you don't always have to have elevations in liver enzymes to be diagnosed with Nash. there are some specialized blood test you can take to help determine if you have it.

[Darkdog in reply to Rick6776]

What kind of blood test will reveal that a person has NASH or not ?

[Rick6776 in reply to Darkdog]

There are a couple that look for biomarkers. The one I had was NASH FibroSure test, its a simple blood test. Gives you rating on your steatosis, fibrosis and if you have NASH.

[Ajo13 in reply to Rick6776]

Nope, they’ve never been elevated that’s why my primary physician and the gastroenterologist have basically said NASH isn’t a possibility. Even though everyone on here says differently. They’ve ruled out everything with my gallbladder and I still have pain in my RUQ if I eat anything unhealthy so clearly there is an issue somewhere. It’s all becoming really frustrating.

[Shato in reply to Ajo13]

Hi there, my doc explained that NASH can only definitively be diagnosed with a biopsy. I had blood tests, then referred for a scan, then the bio. Mostly have this full feeling RUQ and sometimes pain/discomfort when lying on my stomach. And definately changes in the size of the liver. Some days I look extremely pregnant........😜 But I can isually then trace back a day or two and find that my diet wasnt so good.

[Darkdog]

That’s good to know. My GP never mentioned that. Were you diagnosed with Nash via the Nash fibrosure text ? Any symptoms on why that boood test was done ?

Making myself educated every day. Thanks for sharing the name of the blood test.

[Ajo13 in reply to Darkdog]

Sorry, I just saw your reply. I haven’t been diagnosed with NASH, just a fatty liver. The blood tests were done because of the horrible pain under my right ribs. They went through all my labs and said since 2013, any times I’ve had blood drawn I’ve never had elevated liver enzymes so that I can’t have NASH. It’s hard for me to believe that because a lot of my symptoms like low albumin and creantine, point to that. I’ve just been trying to eat the best I can and exercise everyday. I don’t know what else to do at this point.

[Shato in reply to Ajo13]

Read "metabolism reset" by dr christianson. Google him, also on facebook

[Goldwing60 in reply to Ajo13]

I know it’s a year ago but In case this helps - the large Bowel curls around the abdomen ( check it out on an anatomical diagram), and may be causing discomfort seperate to any liver issue. Things like diverticulitis and diverticulosis etc could be an issue. Hope you’ve been well.

[sadysue2]

Floating stool is mostly trapped air that would have been expelled as a fart. Google it and you will find physicians saying most people think its due to fat but fat makes stool shiny and gooey.