Fatty Liver

[Jigger]

About 7 months ago, I went to my internist suffering from epigastric pain. My internist, who is also my best friend, ran a complete physical on me. The whole nine yards. Two days later he called back and said that everything was just fine except my liver enzymes were slightly high. ALT 70 and AST 58. Their lab scale is 0-59. He was not real concerned about this, but he did want to find out why I was having epigastric pain, so the next day we did an ultrasound of my belly. I had significant fatty liver. I immediately got nervous. I unfortunately have been a very heavy beer drinker since my feshman year in college. I'm 32. So, for 15 years. I'm an avid jogger and kind of thought it would all balance out. This is not the case unfortunately. I would not say that I drank every day, but I drank very heavy when I drank. Needless to say, I have not drank since the day, I got that news. And after studying the liver on the web for the past 7 months, I never will. My enzymes were back in the low normal range within 3 days. And my fatty liver disappeared within 3 weeks. My uncle is a radiologist and he ran an MRI and an ultrasound on me. He said, I was fine just lay off the beer. The internet is full of so much information, I started worrying about my liver. Fibrosis was my main concern and still is. The imaging test that I have had do not show microscopic scarring. My internist as well as my uncle have told me that a biopsy is out of the question. I do not have any other concurrent damage occuring like HEP C. They said that my liver is perfectly fine. My other liver panels have been OK also. Bilirubin( direct and indirect, PT, albumin, ect. My stomach pain turned out to be gastritis. I've had every test in the world run on me to find this out. Hida-scan,barium swallow, and finally and upper endoscopy that revealed gastritis. It has passed and I feel great except for my anxiety and guilt from drinking all those years. I woory because I'm marrying a beautiful girl in May and want to live a long healthy life with her. Do you concure with my internist. He say's I'm very healthy for my age. I run 10 miles a day and have since I was 17. Even with all the drinking. He said a biopsy might show come minimal fibrosis, but it was not compromising my liver and was of absolutely no significance. My uncle, the radiologist agrees. He says--"GET OVER IT"    Can someone have mild fibrosis and live a normal lifespan? I probably do not even have fibrosis, but what if I do. Your in put would be Appreciated----  AL

[worrier2]

My diabetic husband (59yr. old, 4 shots a day) had routine preop blood tests done today, followed up with visit to GP because he was feeling fluie and had not been getting over a chest cold that he has had for about two months.  Doc notes that his liver function numbers are about three to four times higher than they were 9 months ago.They are now talking fatty liver, hepatitus etc.  I am scared to death.  

He was to have a rotocuff tear fixed but that is out for the moment.

Knowing being diabetic can cause liver problems, I would like to know is there treatments to make the liver disease livable?

All we were told is not to take any otc drugs and go see a liver specialist.  Is there anything that can be done until he sees one?

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me
Pam

[roxnsox]

There are many different kinds of "fatty liver".  Plain fatty liver has no inflamation with it.  Fatty liver with inflamation is "steatohepatitis".  Steato means fatty and hepatitis means inflamation.  If your liver enzymes are elevated then you have inflamation.  The higher the numbers the more inflamation you have.  Since your liver enzymes are only slightly elevated then you most probably have steatohepatitis.  It is a mild disease and the doctors are not usually worried about it too much.  Are you overweight?  Is your cholesterol too high?  Does diabetes run in your family?  If your answers are yes then you should lose weight is a sensible way.  Losing weight too fast can damage the liver.  

[Jigger]

Fat by itself is not thought to lead to fibrosis. There is usually another trigger. That is inflammation. Have you had hepatitis screens. I had fatty liver from drinking to much. It went away in 3 weeks. Pain in the liver area could be lots of things. Epigastric,gallbladder. Go see a good gastro-doc.
                  JEFF

[karrie2020]

On a recent CT, it showed a 10 mm cyst, i have been having pain under my lower right rib cage. It isnt pain, just a dull soreness when i raise my right arm to reach for something. My liver enzymes were slightly elevated, but now are well within normal range. On my recent ultrasound, it showed that i have fatty liver, but i dont know to what extent. I am worried that this may turn into fibrosis and then cirrosis. Worry doesn't help, so i am trying not to. Is there any way to know to what EXTENT, that the fat has infiltrated the liver?  THe strange part of this is i have only been a social drinker (holidays, birthdays) etc. Any comments would be appreciated.

[roxnsox]

Yes, I am aware that you don't get fatty liver from fatty foods but the doctors and dieticians always tell you to cut back on the fatty foods.  I did and I feel much better.  
   I was diagnosed by the doctors at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md and have spent the past year going to the liver clinic every four weeks for check-ups and follow-ups.

[Jigger]

I never had pain under my ribs. The pain that I had was acute gastritis. Two weeks of aciphex took care of that. I'm glad you are doing well. It is a hard adjustment to remove alcohol from your life. It becomes such a good friend.  JEFF

[Jigger]

I appreciate your input. I can not even imaging drinking again. My drinking was so odd. I did not drink every day, I just could not stop once I started. I feel it is best if I leave the stuff alone. Thanks JEFF

[ribhurting]

you are 32, i am 44,,,at 32, i only drank fri & sat nights but VERY HEAVY,,,,,,,a fifth of bourbon,,,,and then it progressed to fri, sat, sun ( man mon. morn was a ***** ),,,by say, 38, it was thurs, fri, sat, sun...by 42,,,,7 days a week,,,,,,,thought i had a handle on it,,,,NOT,,,,stuff will nail your *** without u even knowing it,,,,I had the fatty liver thing too,,,,in A.A.,,,You would not believe how many people have had "the sharp pain under the rib-cage",,your liver will return to normal,,,you had a relatively short time before your pain stopped,,,it took me 3 months,,,,could only lay on my stomach in bed,,,,,what a *****,,,glad it's over!!!,lol,,,take care , Brad

[Patrick J.]

FYI, You don't get fatty liver from eating fatty foods. Just thought you'd like to know.

[ribhurting]

if u don't feel like u can drink in moderation, DON'T.  Take it from an recovering alcoholic---> ME,,,alcoholism is a baffling, insidious disease and if u start trying to drink in moderation u will eventually, i assure you, begin the heavy drinking binges again,,,,good luck Jeff,,,,Brad.

[roxnsox]

   I am about 6 years older than you and have had 2 liver biopsies.   The doctors didn't discuss fibrosis stages with me.  I haven't spent a lot of time researching them.  So I can't really tell you about the stages of fibrosis for fatty liver.  There is a lot of discussion on the hepatitis forum section about stages but I believe those people are suffering from viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B or C).  They told me that my prognosis is good.  I can't remember exactly what they told me.  Something like only 10 per cent of liver disease patients progress to cirrohsis.  So if you take care of yourself you can live a long life.  I certainly plan to.  
   I cut all hydrogenated fats and oils from my diet.  It has made a big difference in how I feel.   A low fat diet is essential for anyone with "fatty liver".

[Kygirl]

Hello....I just had a CT Abdomen/Pelvis performed with a mobile unit called Scan2000.  I received the results today and not sure what to make of it they are as follows: 205 cm. of decreased attenuation in left lobe of liver-may be focal fatty infiltrate or hemnagioma-follow with ultrasound.  Iliac artery calcification. Lets start with that I am only a social drinker.....once every few months or so.  I have had a lot of female problems last year and underwent a partial hysterectomy with rectum repair, bladder tuck and vaginal repair.  I also have asthma and was taking a medication called advair (was told that was the drug serevent doing that) that I have recently stopped due to feeling so bad all the time and pain in my muscles all the time and a pain in the left lower back under rib cage.  Can you please tell me what this means?  Thanks

[EllieC]

Hi and thank you for responding.  I am 47 and about 30 lbs overweight.  I am borderline diabetic, but that was based on one score when I was checked in the doctor's office and not a fasting score.  I have checked my blood sugar at home daily since and it is usually between 96 and 110..sometimes 116.  I have one uncle with adult diabetes but he controls by eating properly.  Can you tell me what the life expectance is for someone with possible stage 2 fibrosis of the liver.  Mine is most likely due to an immune disorder.  I have been tested for everything else and negative (Hepatitis, AIDS, etc.) Can you tell me about the stages and their time frames especially about the life expectancy.  I have not been told I am stage 2, but I read someone in here on one of the posts that when fibrosis is present, without bridging it is considered stage 2.  I can't get in to the Hepatoligst for another 6 weeks and I would like to know as much as possible before I do see him, so I knoow the appropriate questions to ask.  Thank you for any info you can provide.

[roxnsox]

You should go to the liver foundation website and do some reading there.  www.liverfoundation.org.  
How old are you? Are you overweight?  Does diabetes run in your family?  I will try to answer some of your questions if you post again.  

   roxnsox

[EllieC]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and have been trying to find some answers to my questions, but what I read (the abbreviations and terms are greek to me)and try as might I can't find anything close to what I am wanting to know. So, if anyone cares to shed some light I would be most appreciative. I recently had a liver biopsy cause my LFT's are too high. The radiologist did mine and although they said I wouldn't feel anything....it hurt! They gave me a mild sedative, but it was just too mild cause I felt everything. Anyway, I got my results back and all my GI doc said was that I needed to see a hepatologist. I haven't a clue except that they ruled out hepatitis. Here are my results I have calcified granulomas are seen in the liver and spleen. I have severe steatosis with mild periportal and lobular activity with portal and periportal fibrosis without evidence of bridging. Can someone please tell me what this all means. I know I have fatty liver, but I do not drink or take drugs...never have. So can someone please explain and also tell me how serious this is and what will the hepatologist be doing? I know that having fibrosis of the liver is not good...but please someone tell me just how serious this is. Sorry for the length of this post..and thank you in advance.
Ellie

[Jigger]

I probably don't have any fibrosis. I just wonder if I do will it cause me problems in the future. I'm getting married in May and just worry. I feel guilty for all the beer I drank!

[Patrick J.]

Don't feel guilty, those were you "party years". Now it's time to move on, into a new part of your life. If you drink from now on, drink sensibly, or not at all. If you have mild fibrosis (which I highly doubt) it shouldn't affect your lifespan, unless you continued to abuse your liver. BTW, Take Milk Thistle for your liver health. I use the "Solgar" brand.  Pat

[Jigger]

Thanks Pat,

  I have been taking milk thistle and drinking some sort of liver detox tea. I realize those are your party years, but you read about so many people on the web dying of cirrhosis at 30 or even younger. It is scary. I was a heavy drinker. Not every day, but when I did I did it up. I would love to drink in moderation, but I'm not sure I can. I can not get my doctor to give me a direct answer to the whole fibrosis thing. he just say's your fine!! "If you have any it is not significant"  JEFF

[Patrick J.]

Jigger, You are FINE!!  There most likely is nothing wrong at all with your liver. I doubt you have any fibrosis at all. You don't even have to stop drinking. Just be sensible & drink in moderation. Get on with your life & forget it, you're good to go.

[Patrick J.]

It's right below my ribcage by my liver. I was thinking adhesions from gallbladder surgery. Who knows

[Jigger]

That is possible. Thank You for your words of encouragement. I hope your pain goes away. God Bless, JEFF

[Patrick J.]

Same to you Jeff. Good Luck in your future, & early congrats on your upcoming marriage.  Pat

[Patrick J.]

Fibrosis is scarring I believe.  If it's bad, I believe it would be called Cirrhosis.



I thought I had PSC (I still don't know). I was told I have Fatty Liver, diagnosed by CT scan. I have a past history of UC that was cured 30 yrs ago, & gallbladder removal 15 yrs ago. I get intermittent itching all over & RUQ tightness, like a finger is pushing on the area (adhesions maybe?) But my labs are all good. Alk Phos - 54, ALT - 41, AST - 26, T Bil - 1.0, ALB - 5.0, GGT - 22, PT - 10.6. Sometimes I get a RUQ ache. I researched my labs back 10 yrs & they were always good. Any ideas from anyone? Does Fatty Liver cause itching??

[Jigger]

Could someone please explain to me what fibrosis is. I do not understand it fully. Can a liver continue to work with a little bit of fibrosis. I'm a recovering alcoholic. I have not drank in 7 months. My liver enzymes were slightly high AST 70 and ALT 58. Their lab is 0-60. Within one week of abstinence my enzymes were normal and have remained. My internist said I'm fine. I'm very active. I run 8-10 miles per day. I just drank alot for many years. About 12 years. Anyone have any comment? My internist refuse a biopsy. We did an MRI in November thta showed no fat, the report read normal MRI of Liver.