Can NAFLD be reversed and how long it may take? I have elevated liver enzymes and probably NAFLD.

[Monicka]

I’m 52 years old, otherwise healthy and slim (50kg, 160cm). I had blood test 3months ago and the result was elevated liver enzymes (ALT,AST). I kept diet for 3 months and had test again this week but enzymes are still elevated. No improvement after 3 months diet. I wonder how long it may take to improve them or get them to normal even?

[nash2 Partner]

Liver enzymes can be affected by a lot of things so it is very individual. NAFLD is just one possible problem. Your situation is apparently more difficult as you are slim so you need to explore what is going on with your doctor. Just as one example, have you been tested for Hep C?

[Nicolanancy]

Have you been on antidepressants? Or any other drug, even aspirin? All affect liver.

[Monicka in reply to Nicolanancy]

Hi Nicolanacy! I don’t take any drugs, never did. I don’t take any painkillers either. I drink occasionally, eg. twice a month a small glass of wine. I excersice regularly all my life as I’m a devoted runner. But I’m sweets and sugar lover and I was able to eat a cake at once! I lost some weight over past two years and I was a bit underweight (BMI 18). And I had slightly bad covid last October 2020. I had fever for one week and than my doctor prescribed me antibiotics for 3 days. I didn’t have any cough or breathing problem at all, just the fever which didn’t seemed to go away. The antibiotics helped almost immediately. In November, after I recovered I went to blood tests. Everything was OK except these liver enzymes. I re-tested in December and now in January and the bad liver results remain. My doctor is not concerned but I am. I think of all those chocolates and cakes I digested over my life and I’m convinced that my liver must be pretty damaged.

[Benni63 in reply to Monicka]

I'm in the US. My liver enzymes were elevated in Nov of 2020. I then got COVID in Dec 2020 (for the second time). My enzymes were elevated even higher in January 2021. I am not terrible overweight - I am 5'1" and have lost 11 pounds since November 2020. I'm at 122 right now. I was not exercising - so I've upped my exercise, cut out all refined sugar, cut back on "white" carbs, increased my water drinking substantially and tried to cut back my sodium (the hardest thing of all). I was already gluten free. Also had CAT scan two weeks ago - liver still enlarged. I'm going for my next blood test mid April and I'm hoping that the increase has at least slowed.

[Monicka in reply to Benni63]

Hi Benni! Covid really does a number on liver. I had all results ok prior to it although my eating habits weren’t great. I think covid just accelarated what I had coming anyway. When was the first time you got covid? BTW My neighbour’s son (healthy)who is about 18 now had covid in October 2020 and his liver blood work isn’t ok either. And I saw blood tests of a friend (59) a few days after he recovered from covid and surprise: elevated liver enzymes.

I think if you have any underlying liver condition which you might not be even aware of and you contract covid then your liver respond by worsening.

I go to blood test on April 6! I will try my best till then! And you should do the same for your tests! Fingers crossed for both of us😃

[Ihavebigfeet in reply to Monicka]

I agree Monica, covid is how I discovered my issue as well

[lpzchica]

Hi! New here. Was wondering if your liver enzymes normalized, going through something similar my self.