Not shocked in the least

[Enough2023]

I'm a 66 year old retire male who found out about fatty liver from an abdominal ultrasound for a completely different issue. Credit to my PCP for noticing and referring me to a heptalogist. Liver enzymes elevated but with an AST/ALT ratio always well under one. Other than little bit of RUQ pain with a level never more that 1 on a 10 point scale, I never had any symptoms. So originally had blood test that sucked, and ultrasound that was well within limit. A fibroscan in the doctors office that was terrible, and finally, a biopsy that showed mild NASH. Now, I doubt that 20 years of statins are not an insignificant factor.....but let's be honest here. Over the years, I've ballooned about 45 lbs and Dairy Queen and Culvers and other outlets have become my friends. So that my liver was in a bit of trouble didn't phase me much. Don't get me wrong. I'm not happy about it, but coming to terms with the fact that I caused this...there is no bitterness that someone else inflicted this on me. Like all of us, I have absolute control of what goes into my mouth. My liver doc says diet, exercise, and weight loss should do the trick for me and actually, for now, discharged me as a patient. Luckily, I'm in the Chicagoland metro area and have Northwestern, University of Chicago, and Rush Medical Center as excellent sources of another opinion if I should need one. Do I have the courage and mental strength to make the changes necessary to save my life? Time will tell, and quite honestly, I'm not mentally an ultra strong individual. I have appreciation and admiration for all of you who are consciously battling this and actually making change. All the best to everyone.

[waterstop]

My fatty liver was found by “mistake” as well. I’m not as lucky to live in the Chicagoland area. I did a few years ago but am now in Florida where the medical field is lacking to say the least. Do your homework and hopefully things will be fine. This website has helped educate me tremendously. Good luck and use all resources available

[isugolfer]

I found my fatty liver by slightly elevated enzymes. An ultrasound, a Fibroscan, several blood tests and a biopsy later, I was diagnosed with very mild NASH. I stopped virtually all alcohol, modified my diet and exercise off and on. After a year, follow up blood tests and another Fibroscan my numbers are all within good ranges. I am refocusing this spring on a better pattern of exercise and diet in hopes of losing a little more weight but my gastro people are pleased with my progress. I am glad I found out before I had/did too much damage. This site has been extremely helpful. We all have different journeys, but the information here is invaluable.

[icecream123]

I am 68 and waiting for the fibroscan in a couple weeks. Same thing, showed up on an ultrasound for something else. The doctor never even suggested any follow up which I thought was odd. I asked if she knew the extent of fatty liver that the radiologist indicated exists and she said no, would you like to follow up? I said uhh, yes. But now that I think about it, I have been told to lose weight and excersise for years..I eat red meat, the 5 oz wine is an end of the day treat..so, maybe she just figures wth! I reduced sugars for about 2 months and find myself backsliding already. None of my blood tests except cholesterol are off.

[Herman7275 in reply to icecream123]

Need to find a hepatoligist, a liver dr. I get a fibroscan once every September. I have reversed my fatty liver and some of my fibrosis & they said last year some of my cirrhosis. By being on a low carb diet, exercise, no alcohol, although mine came from. Being a diabetic 35 yrs. Make sure you get checked out by liver team!! Its your body not that other dr.

[icecream123 in reply to Herman7275]

With all of my reading lately, I have to wonder about the removal of my gallbladder 32 years ago. It seems that can also be a contributory factor with the bile flowing through. Many years ago I had a colonoscopy. The physician told me I had a green stripe all the way through my intestines, which he said was not uncommon. I am up for that fun experience later this year again so will see if that has disappeared! Still no excuse for my bad behaviours!

[Enough2023 in reply to icecream123]

Hi, icecream 23. I too enjoy a cocktail or two or five and it's not easy to give up. My alt has always been considerably lower than my last, and my biopsy shows Nash and the individual who studied the biopsy make of point of stating that this was not alcohol induced. However, I'm not complete idiot yet, and I know that NO amount of alcohol will ever be safe for me. But quitting is easier said than done. My lifestyle needs to change. Can I do it? Yes. Will I do it..time will tell. I've had a friend who smoked through a trach. It's something we all have heard about but few have seen. Addiction is a scourge of society, but we're all only human, so no judgement here. Best of luck to you. I think you'll do just fine.

[icecream123 in reply to Enough2023]

Me too, thanks! I don't do the 2 or five..pretty much behave with the 5oz direction if I have my drink..but at this point waiting to hear from the fibroscan if I actually have something to be worried about. None of the blood work is bad and I had to ask for the dr. to follow up on it which I found a bit weird. My toughest thing is sugars..I love cake better than wine lol! My bmi is at 30 and has been for a long time. I worked with a trainer for a year, lost 30 lbs..ate almost nothing and was pretty miserable. Now I try to moderate a bit..but have definitely not kept up the routine of two protein shakes and a salad to keep the weight off.

[Herman7275]

I found out I had a fatty liver when I turned 65, just about the same symtoms as you. I live close to You, live north of Indianapolis, so I went to IU Medical Center, and that was my choice, diet, exercise or loose the stomach and eat baby food the rest of my life, well in 2019 I opted for diet and exercise, even made it thru covid and still trying to exercise and stay on a low carb diet, which to someone who loves to cook and eat all types of food, its becoming alot harder. When I started I weighed 328lbs,now am at 278 but have hit a 6 month lull here I just don't have the willpower any more. But received the fatty liver by 35 years of being a diabetic, so when I eat some things I shouldn't, I pay for it greatly...So I keep trying to diet and do as I am told, but at a month from turning 70, amd getting real tired of what I can't do, but then I like to live and have both of my legs and my liver, so I will continue to try...Take care!!