how can i fix my liver

[sunnymk]

I am 49 years, female. i have diabetes militus, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and major depression. I take many prescription medications including humalog insulin. recently, my doctor has been repeating liver function blood tests regarding ALT and AST (alkaline phosphates). From online info, i have seen that many factors attribute to these enzymes being high and i seem to have all of the factors. i take a large amount (1200mg) of carbamenzapine (carbatrol) and also, take premarin for hormone replacement. Could these be causing the problem? I know i need to lose weight but it is difficult with the insulin. However, how can i find a diet that will help me lose weight and help my liver as well? How dangerous is this situation for me for the future in regards to liver disease?

[sunnymk]

thank you so much for all the info jody. what a terrible ordeal for you  brother and your family. Its amazing to me with all the technology, how doctors miss so much or take so long to figure things out. Actually, i live in an area with several teaching hospitals and my endicrinologist works with many of the docs from one of them for sure. as soon as i get my next results (in about 2 wks(, i will speak to him regarding a hepatologist. Part of my problem, i forsee is that i am on medicare only since i receive disability. they do not pay for alot and i have very limited funds. i too worry about my daughter with her fast food diet and her heavy smoking. she is very tall (6'2) but she is a bit overweight as well. i need to lose at least 80 pounds and it always overwhelms me and makes me want to give up hope. i started a pilates class with my friend friday. her instructor comes to her house just for the 2 of us and my friend will pay for me if i want to come. what a blessing! there is very little excercise i can do due to my neuropathy but i think this will be quite helpful. it gave me quite a blood sugar dip so i will have to adjust insulin on those days but for now it is giving me some hope of at least losing some weight. i just feel way to young to have all these problems!

[Jody515]

Sorry, I had a phone call from both my son & daug & had to stop this for a min.  I would suggest for you to see a hepatologist (liver specialist) Do you live in an area that has a teaching hospital?  If no hepatologist in your area, the next best thing is a gastrologist. He may do a stomach sonogram and or a biopsy depending on what shows in your blood work.
I personally can't tell you how to diet, my daugh who also has fatty liver is not hugh, but has gained weight since she had children & then some more weight since she quit smoking about 8 yrs ago. ( I think since they work they eat too much fast food.)  
You probably would do best on the diabetic diet, I know it is hard to diet, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary.  I really don't want to see anyone else go thru what my brother did but I know many persons pass from many diff liver diseases in this world.  Later, jody

[Jody515]

Yes, Sunny, it does help to share & try to help others understand because they whole thing was a shocker to the family something we had no knowledge of.  No, he did not have symptoms other then they thought he was having heart problems for about 6 months before diagnosing him.  He started going into the hospital in Nov 06 with his heart fillibrating or whatever you may call it.  They kept running cardio tests on him.  He was in & out of hospital for about 6 months.  Finally a group of doctors thought it could be his liver when they found out about my aih & my other brother's crohn's disease. Because he was so swollen in stomach area they tried a biopsy by way of going down an artery in his neck.  Couldn't get enough of the liver to tell in so doing.  The next month a doctor finally said he was sure he could get a big enough piece by going in the normal way & he did.  That was in April of 07 after in & out of hospital for 6 months. We thought for sure he would receive a transplant since the news came back so terrible, Of course we didn't realize how many people out there needed a liver & that he wouldn't be eligible. I have a 43 yr old daug who has this also & is going to doctor for it & will have a biopsy in about 3 months.  Keep in touch. gotta phone call, Jody

[sunnymk]

thanks jody. scary! I have only seen my endicrinologist for now. They just keep repeating the blood tests. i have had 3 and go back in 2 weeks for another. i was only told they are checking liver enzymes but the nurse in the office mentioned possible fatty liver. I am going to start back on my stricter diabetic diet today. may i ask, did your brother have symptoms of illness before he found out what was wrong (in regards to his liver)? the only symptom i have is tiredness but i take a lot of medication for my neuropathy which will cause that as well. I have never heard of a hepatologist! if blood test show fatty liver, what would be the next step, if you know? thank you so much for responding. and, i am so sorry about your brother. i hope it helps you to know that by sharing what you did with me, it has given me quite a wake up call to take better care of myself. thanks

[Jody515]

Hi, I am not a doctor but I can tell you this much.  My brother had diabetes, high cholestrol & too much weight.  He was diagnosed last yr with NASH, end stage due to fatty liver.  He was told to lose weight to get on transplant list but did not lose weight.  He passed away earlier this year.  I am not trying to tell you that your liver is in as bad a shape as his was.  Have you had a biopsy and are you seeing a hepatologist?