Advice please, liver

[RandomName39]

Just in case anyone has any experience of this. I'm mid 30s, BMI 26, don't drink. I'm from a Chinese background and really cannot drink without getting flushed etc.

Long detailed account follows but I guess I want to know if I should be concerned or not.

As part of some general tests for something else arranged by my GP it was picked up that my ALT level was raised, and had a couple of tests in following months which showed it increasing. The ultrasound showed that fatty liver was 'diffuse' and the locum who had arranged the tests put in a referral to the consultant. After some weeks heard from the GP who said that some hepatitis tests needed to be completed before the referral could happen (locum had left by now) and this hasn't happened yet for various reasons. The first test was done in September. Looking back I think I've been getting minor cramping for some months now, and my stools also have got more loose (tmi). Not sure if these are related, first thought it was stress related or possibly psychosomatic so ignored.

I've only had very short telephone appointments with the locum GP basically telling me the ALT level is raised, that she was going to refer me for a scan and the consultant, and no one has told me much about the issue, nor whether I should be making lifestyle changes. Should I be concerned do you think? Many thanks for reading.

I would be concerned if the ultrasound showed fatty liver and I would be pushing for the further tests and the consultant appointment.

In the meantime you may well benefit from making some lifestyle changes. Clearly alcohol is not the issue and you can't cut it down but I am sure there are other things you could possibly address. Suggest you Google Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Here's the NHS info
www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/

Thank you very much for the reply and link, looks like the salt and fat are the most important changes.

@RandomName39 I don’t think fatty liver is unusual, good that it’s not alcohol related. You’ll know more when you have been seen by a specialist so I would perhaps enquire about this. Making changes to your lifestyle can only do you good.

@PurplePumpkinDream thanks for your reply. Good it doesn't seem something to worry too much about.

@RandomName39 Similar situation here, I started a thread few weeks ago:

Liver Function Tests (original LFTs!) - ALT results worry me. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4469876-liver-function-tests-original-lfts-alt-results-worry-me

I've had a repeat test since and ALT has gone down a little bit still outside "normal". I have reduced my fat intake and am watching my diet carefully. GP isn't too concerned at this stage (she said she's see results x10 which have righted themselves with lifestyle changes). I will have another blood test in a couple of weeks and, if still outside the range will push my GP for referral.

Try not to worry too much. Most of the research I've done suggests that fatty liver is common and can be resolved.

@PennyRoyal thank you very much and hope you're ok.

How are you @RandomName39 ?

Just had my blood results back and, despite strict diet and low/zero alcohol, ALT has risen (now 101) from 52. So being referred for ultrasound to see what's going on. Can't help but worry although GP said not to.

@PennyRoyal (sorry I've had a name change fail)
Sorry to hear that your ALT has gone up, hope the ultrasound is arranged quickly and they are able to look into it properly and get to the bottom of it.

With mine I think it got to around 60 and then doubled, and then went down around 90 at one point. In the end after the final set of bloods, the GP put the results into some sort of model and decided not to refer me, and rang me and told me to lose weight (this in reasonable in fairness) to read about NAFLD on the internet and they'd do another liver function test in three years time. Which was a relief in some ways however not entirely satisfactory. I've since (touch wood) got pregnant and I'm hoping when they do booking bloods and medical history they will look into it again if anything is flagged up as worrying. I did have gestational diabetes with my first and having googled there might be a connection.

Wishing you all the best and that you get answers soon.

@RandomName40 Ooh, best wishes for your pregnancy, how exciting for you! Hope everything goes smoothly. Sounds like your GP will keep an eye on you and hopefully nothing further needs investigating for you.

Hi all,
I also have fatty liver, it was diagnosed on a routine ultrasound for gallstones (which I do have too)

My alt was only 32, not enough to be referred but because the ultrasound showed fat and suggested I may have scarring or fibrosis I have been referred.

It's been a long process waiting for referall... I have seen the consultant and (well spoke on the phone)
I'm now waiting for a fibroscan.

I have lost 3 stone in this time and I run every day. So I've gone from a bmi of 29 to bmi of 23
I've been eating Mediterranean style diet which is not low fat but us recommended for liver health.
I also drink lots of filter coffee and green tea as this is also very good according to the consultant.

My consultant said that Losing 5% of your body weight removes fat from the liver and 10% can reverse some early scarring.

Sorry I meant 37 not 32

Op, you should have had a full liver panel
Of blood tests, so testing for hepatitis or auto immune conditions such as celiac etc that can cause liver issues. Also for cholesterol too.

Also your GP should be advising on lifestyle changes.

Ring them back and find out when you're getting the full blood test done.

@namechanged221 wow, the weight loss is impressive, hope the scan goes well and thanks for sharing.

I had the hepatitis ones in the end, which were clear, and she also referred to having high cholesterol according to a test back last May (presumably taken as part of booking bloods before I miscarried) but that result seems a long time ago! I think perhaps I need a print out of all the results as I have no real idea what was tested. Quite possibly now pregnant and taking progesterone all the figures have changed yet again.