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How much damage caused by fatty liver?

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carina62
carina62

IiIt was picked up by chance thaI have fatty liver, could have had this for years without knowing about it, how do I find out how much damage has been done already if any? My GP does not seem too concerned about it, all my LFT have come back normal so what can I do about it apart from lifestyle change which I'm doing already?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • susan556
    susan556 carina62

    Posted

    Hi Carina like you i was diagnosed with fatty liver last year, scan showed a fatty mass. Was just told to keep of fatty foods, like you wondered how much damage, i dont drink alcohol either. Im taking milk thistle herbs at the moment in tablet form and drinking aloe vera juice as its an internal healer.

    Problem is  fatty livers arnt easy to cure from what ive read on my research. My doctor didnt seem to concerned though, she said its a common problem.

    Sue 

     

    • carina62
      carina62 susan556

      Posted

      Can it be reversed? And what is the prognosis? Ie does it shorten lifespan? I am also Type 2 diabetic
    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 carina62

      Posted

      Hi Carina,

      I managed to reverse my fatty liver within 2 months of diagnoses. I cut out all fats, exercised 30 mins per day (this is important!), I drank only water! I didn't eat any processed foods at all and didn't take any medication.

      Excercise removes the day from your liver. As long as you give you live time to heal them it will regenerate.

      Milk thistle is the way to go to help your liver.

      My liver function tests are normal and scans (ultrasound and MRI) are also normal.

    • carina62
      carina62 Gem1384

      Posted

      When you say you managed to reverse it, did it just show up on the scan as clear? That's very encouraging to hear. My GP said I can also reverse my diabetes with weight loss.
    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 carina62

      Posted

      My scans showed my liver as "completely normal". My LFTs have remained normal for over a year. My dr checks them once every couple of months. (I have a slight elevation in my ALP, but it is not liver in origin) I'm due a re-scan in 2 weeks to check on things again. But I've been told by the specialist there's now nothing wrong with my liver and have been discharged from the heptology department!
    • lesley05714
      lesley05714 Gem1384

      Posted

      Hi Gem,

      My doctor says I have a liver problem and I have to return in three months for another blood test.

      The ALT level was 99. cholesterol was 6.9...the advice was a diet chart to cut down on fatty foods. I don't drink or smoke.

      I will follow the advice you give and try the milk thistle and exercise, thanks for the help!

      Blessings,

      Lesley

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 lesley05714

      Posted

      Hi Iesley, how have they diagnosed this liver problem? Just by bloods? If so, you need a scan. I managed to turn things around from one scan to the next scan. If you smoke or drink you need to stop. Things as simple as medication, alcohol, drinks and fatty foods can cause an elevation in your LFTs. So they are no accurate to diagnose alone. My AST and ALT were high, I think 170 around that. However they have never been high since and remain normal over a year later!

      If you haven't already you need an ultrasound scan and possible referral to a heptoloist. Waiting for another set of bloods is a gamble!

      Gem x

  • hazel14959
    hazel14959 carina62

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with fatty liver and T2 diabetes in April 13 LFT 537.  I am on one metformin tab a day.  I changed my diet to lower carbs and did more exercise.  Oct 14 LFT 160, since then I have had major surgery and possibly the medications and no exercise have upped the LFT to 260.   I have had a liver scan, no lumps or bumps and the Dr. I saw for the report just asked if I had any pain or ever felt uncomfortable after eating, which I don't but she sent me for another more involved blood test and have to go back on the 17th of this month to see her again and get the results.  Fingers crossed.  Must ask her for the LFT results this time, forgot....  she just said result was normal?    I think normal is 51-57!

    BTW...I went low carb and ate more fat from APril 13 to Oct 14 and still do...?

    I don't drink and I don't smoke.... eek

  • carina62
    carina62

    Posted

    Thanks all for taking the time to reply.  I also have a liver cyst which was also picked up when i had the scan along with the fatty liver but the cyst is nothing serious and will just be monitored to make sure it remains stable.

    I have changed my lifestyle, i have already lost a stone in weight (i have a long way to go though), i have cut down on carbs and sugar and when i am at work 5 days a week i have a cup of milk thistle tea or green tea and drink a pint of warm water with half a lemon juice squeezed into it and some grated ginger (this apparently is a good liver, kidneys and digestion cleanse).  I am eating lots more healthier foods and i am very conscious of what i put in my mouth so all in all i am doing everything i can, oh, and i also try and excercise, i go to the gym twice a week and inbetween i walk or go on my excercise bike at home.   I've got to go and see my GP at the end of this month to discuss the letter i received from my consultant about my cyst so will mention whether i need further tests like a fibroscan.  I think now because of my liver cyst i wish to be monitored annually and if my doctor's won't do it then i'll consider going privately but i think an annual scan of my liver and LFT blood work should hopefully help me keep on top of things but obviously my main concern is whether i have any damage but surely my GP (and the consultant) would have sent me for further tests if they thought so? 

  • carina62
    carina62

    Posted

    oh forgot to add, i don't smoke and i used to drink the odd glass of wine but have now cut out alcohol completely (funnily enough i don't really miss it!).  I do however take quite a few medications ie x1 metformin for my diabetes, x1 statin for cholesteorl and x1 for blood pressure but my GP said that with determination and hard work i may even be able to come off all or some of these medications which i am aiming for.  Like my GP said it has taken me 53 years to get where i am with my health and body so it will take time to amend things but i am on a mission - this has scared me and given me a huge wake up call!
  • hazel14959
    hazel14959 carina62

    Posted

    Carina,  I bought Carbs and Cals book from A and I treat it as a bible, next to my chair, I write a food diary and it has helped me lose 2 1/2 stone, gives, carbs, cals, fire protien etc and shows plarte sizes plus drinks...not just for diabetes   but for slimmers as well.
    • carina62
      carina62 hazel14959

      Posted

      I have this app on my phone and i do refer to it from time to time but am doing weightwatchers so using a pro points system with food but am consciously cutting down carbs and sugar at the moment.
  • hazel14959
    hazel14959 carina62

    Posted

    OK, went to the Docs for a report on my latest blood check..    Just bringing the discussion uo to date.

    I don't drink and I don't smoke.... I was diagnosed with fatty liver and T2 diabetes in April 13 LFT 537.  I am on one metformin tab a day.  I changed my diet to lower carbs and did more exercise.  Oct 14 LFT 160, since then I have had major surgery and possibly the medications and no exercise have upped the LFT to 260.   I have had a liver scan, no lumps or bumps, pancreas and gall bladder all OK. and the Dr. I saw for the report just asked if I had any pain or ever felt uncomfortable after eating, which I don't but she sent me for another more involved blood test and have to go back on the 17th of this month to see her again and get the results.  Fingers crossed.  Must ask her for the LFT results this time, forgot....  she just said result was normal?    I think normal is 51-57!

    Went to see the doc yesterday, LFT..62  YEAH, so got to keep doing and eating good foods.  I am on a low carb fat diet so that has worked....  I am 75.

    Got to have one drink this weekend celebrating my granddaughters graduation.

    BTW...I went low carb and ate more fat from April 13 to Oct 14 and still do...?

    I don't drink and I don't smoke....

     

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