Fatty liver anyone?

NewPlumCat · 2025-04-03T11:42:27+00:00

I've had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago to rule out digestive issues and other organs were also checked. My GP has told me I have a fatty liver. I am absolutely terrified and am having panic attacks. I don't know how it could have happened as I eat very healthy and small portions. I don't eat, sugary foods or fried foods and use olive oil in my cooking. I don't eat white bread, or white pasta. I use wholemeal bread and pasta, I use wholemeal pasta and have it once in a couple of months. I am 3 years postmenopausal as well. Any help and advice on this will be really appreciated x

mumalummum · 03/04/2025 12:45

Are you overweight? There is alcoholic fatty liver and non alcoholic fatty liver

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 12:49

mumalummum · 03/04/2025 12:45

Are you overweight? There is alcoholic fatty liver and non alcoholic fatty liver

Hi,
Thank you for replying. Yes I have become overweight about 3 years ago when my periods stopped. But before that I was slim. I am really worried about it.

OP posts:

Sodthesystem · 03/04/2025 12:52

I mean have they said it's a big deal?

Do you mean you are having digestive issues?

What was the reason for the ultrasound?

BeachRide · 03/04/2025 12:53

A doctor friend of mine told me the liver function test is set deliberately low so nearly everyone fails it - it's a quick, cheap way to improve the nation's health - everyone panics and cuts down on their alcohol intake/improves their diet. I wouldn't worry - just lose a bit of weight via healthier eating and up your exercise. Job done.

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 12:57

Sodthesystem · 03/04/2025 12:52

I mean have they said it's a big deal?

Do you mean you are having digestive issues?

What was the reason for the ultrasound?

Hi, thank you for replying. I had the ultrasound to check if I've got a stomach ulcer and they detected the fatty liver. They did say it was mild but I'm really worried about it.

OP posts:

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 12:59

BeachRide · 03/04/2025 12:53

A doctor friend of mine told me the liver function test is set deliberately low so nearly everyone fails it - it's a quick, cheap way to improve the nation's health - everyone panics and cuts down on their alcohol intake/improves their diet. I wouldn't worry - just lose a bit of weight via healthier eating and up your exercise. Job done.

Thank you for replying. God bless you 🙏
I'm really worried about it and can't stop panicking.

OP posts:

Worriedmrs · 03/04/2025 13:02

I have fatty liver for a long time now. It doesn't bother me. I have PCOS and insulin resistance and I was told that it does cause fatty liver. I try to eat healthy and that is all I can do about it. I was prescribed urscocad for 6 months once when the GP thought my digestion issues could have been linked to it but after I had surgery for ovarian cyst it was found that my problems were caused by adhesions.
If you don't have any issues related to your digestion then don't let it bother you too much. Weight loss can still help.

TryForSpring · 03/04/2025 13:02

I have the same due to a less than great lifestyle. My GP said it's very common at out age (assuming you're 50+ ish) and can be improved by losing some weight. Absolutely not something to panic about.

northerneast · 03/04/2025 13:03

I was diagnosed 10 years ago, never took it seriously, gained more weight (morbid obesity level) and haven’t suffered any effects to date. I have lost weight recently and am no longer in that category.

Twiglets1 · 03/04/2025 13:07

I think a lot of us probably have fatty livers without knowing about it. You have been told yours is mild so I would just take it as a motivator to try to lose a bit of weight but try not to let it overwhelm you.

My friend had a liver transplant last year and was told it has become harder to find suitable doners as so many people who die in road accidents etc turn out to have fatty livers now - even young people. The livers used in transplants have to be practically perfect but most people feel perfectly well with less than perfect livers.

Starlightstarbright4 · 03/04/2025 13:10

I was told the same after abdominal ultrasound but also found gallstones .

I had follow up appointment with Gp . I have been referred to to hospital for gallstones .

I asked about fatty liver . She really wasn’t concerned . She said as I was overweight fat lays down everywhere including my organs - completely reversible with diet.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 03/04/2025 13:15

Do you drink?

Spottidogs · 03/04/2025 13:18

Two years ago I was told after ultrasound I had a fatty liver. Recently I've had another ultrasound plus a test called a fibro scan (due to a genetic problem that can affect your liver) and been told it is not fatty at all. I've lost no weight and haven't changed my diet at all in that time. When I googled how can this be, it came up that antibiotics can temporarily affect it. I've had a fair few antibiotics over the last two years. So it might go back to normal is what I'm trying to say.

JinglingSpringbells · 03/04/2025 13:20

Stomach ulcers are not diagnosed by ultrasound. They are diagnosed by an endoscopy. If you had issues with your stomach, a camera down the throat is the way to see anything going on although sometimes an ultrasound is done in addition (but not on its own.)

You would also usually have to have some risks factors for fatty liver like a history of alcohol use or being obese rather than just a bit overweight.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/

You might be better off posting this in General Health as it's not a menopause issue.

Presumably your GP has reassured you and given advice on what to do next?
They know how you have health anxiety so it's down to them to advise you.

WindyWendyHouse · 03/04/2025 13:22

My 19 year old D's is having an ultrasound scan tonight as his ALT levels are high. The doctor suspects non-alcoholic fatty liver.
D's is in such a state, he's so worried (as am I).

Apparently it's very common now.

StrongTea · 03/04/2025 13:28

I was told I had a fatty liver a few years ago. Had a scan because of constant indigestion. Just told to watch my diet, eat more healthily. I don’t drink alcohol. Funnily enough I cut out gluten and feel much better.

Sodthesystem · 03/04/2025 13:40

I wouldn't let it stress you too much. Just keep eating well and start taking more walks. It's spring, the weather will be good for a while, get out and wander more. Maybe do the occasional HIT (quick bursts of intensive exercise) to get your metabolism going. Spoonful of apple cider vinegar with dinner helps burn fat too apparently.

It's fine, you'll be fine!

Topseyt123 · 03/04/2025 14:04

I have a fatty liver too. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

I've taken some control of it by cutting alcohol (of which I wasn't a big drinker anyway) practically out. I rarely drink at all now. Just a couple now and then on special occasions, which only happened a handful of times a year.

I've also somehow dropped a stone in weight though I am still overweight and have plenty to go yet. I'm trying.

My ALT levels have come right down to normal although another ultrasound showed my liver is still fatty and slightly inflamed.

Day to day it doesn't bother me at all and seems to have no effect. It is just being monitored yearly now and I try not to worry about it.

Plenty of people probably do have a fatty liver without even realising it because there are often no symptoms. Signs are often picked up in routine tests for other things, and this was the case for me. I have a range of yearly blood tests because of some medical conditions which have to be monitored.

Try not to worry about it too much. There are many people living with it too. You aren't alone. It can be one of life's curve balls.

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:38

JinglingSpringbells · 03/04/2025 13:20

Stomach ulcers are not diagnosed by ultrasound. They are diagnosed by an endoscopy. If you had issues with your stomach, a camera down the throat is the way to see anything going on although sometimes an ultrasound is done in addition (but not on its own.)

You would also usually have to have some risks factors for fatty liver like a history of alcohol use or being obese rather than just a bit overweight.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/

You might be better off posting this in General Health as it's not a menopause issue.

Presumably your GP has reassured you and given advice on what to do next?
They know how you have health anxiety so it's down to them to advise you.

Thank you for your message. I appreciate all your support x

OP posts:

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:39

Topseyt123 · 03/04/2025 14:04

I have a fatty liver too. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

I've taken some control of it by cutting alcohol (of which I wasn't a big drinker anyway) practically out. I rarely drink at all now. Just a couple now and then on special occasions, which only happened a handful of times a year.

I've also somehow dropped a stone in weight though I am still overweight and have plenty to go yet. I'm trying.

My ALT levels have come right down to normal although another ultrasound showed my liver is still fatty and slightly inflamed.

Day to day it doesn't bother me at all and seems to have no effect. It is just being monitored yearly now and I try not to worry about it.

Plenty of people probably do have a fatty liver without even realising it because there are often no symptoms. Signs are often picked up in routine tests for other things, and this was the case for me. I have a range of yearly blood tests because of some medical conditions which have to be monitored.

Try not to worry about it too much. There are many people living with it too. You aren't alone. It can be one of life's curve balls.

Edited

Thank you and I hope you feel better very soon.
It's really worrying and I can't stop worrying about it x

OP posts:

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:42

Sodthesystem · 03/04/2025 13:40

I wouldn't let it stress you too much. Just keep eating well and start taking more walks. It's spring, the weather will be good for a while, get out and wander more. Maybe do the occasional HIT (quick bursts of intensive exercise) to get your metabolism going. Spoonful of apple cider vinegar with dinner helps burn fat too apparently.

It's fine, you'll be fine!

Thank you fir your message and reassurance. I really appreciate it. Its really worrying. I am trying my very best to lose the weight but its nit really helping.

OP posts:

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:44

StrongTea · 03/04/2025 13:28

I was told I had a fatty liver a few years ago. Had a scan because of constant indigestion. Just told to watch my diet, eat more healthily. I don’t drink alcohol. Funnily enough I cut out gluten and feel much better.

Thank you for your message and reassurance. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better now 🙏
Has the fatty liver been cured for you now?

OP posts:

Original poster

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:46

WindyWendyHouse · 03/04/2025 13:22

My 19 year old D's is having an ultrasound scan tonight as his ALT levels are high. The doctor suspects non-alcoholic fatty liver.
D's is in such a state, he's so worried (as am I).

Apparently it's very common now.

Hi, thank you for replying and I'm so sorry to hear your son has also got a fatty liver. I hope and pray he feels better very soon and recovers completely. Keeping you in prayers 🙏

OP posts:

dogcatkitten · 03/04/2025 15:51

I was reading somewhere (and rather an unreliable source) that the different sorts of processed sugars and oils we use these days are causing the huge rise in non alcoholic fatty liver. I didn't really believe it, I think the general increase in the weight of the population is more likely the cause. Just wondered if there is actually any evidence on that.