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Original poster

Fatty liver anyone?

75 replies

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 12:42

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

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:54

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.

Hi, thank you for your message and I'm glad to hear you feel better. I have been on a couple of courses of antibiotics as well but they were this year, in January and the next set of antibiotics I was given were in February. I don't know if they may have caused the fatty liver. I am very anxious about it and can't get my mind of it and can't stop worrying about it.

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 03/04/2025 16:15

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:39

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

Show quote history

Thanks. I'm actually very well in myself on a day to day basis and have no symptoms.

I just have some long term medical conditions that need yearly monitoring - type 2 diabetes and an autoimmune thyroid condition for which I take daily medication.So the blood tests are routine and are done for those.

The NAFLD was picked up by chance as my regular blood tests began to show a raised ALT level. I stopped alcohol almost completely even though I wasn't a big drinker anyway. ALT then returned to normal but my liver is still fatty and slightly enlarged. I'm still completely asymptomatic though.

StrongTea · 03/04/2025 16:54

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:44

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?

Show quote history

Fine now, the odd bit of indigestion but nothing like before

user6209817643 · 03/04/2025 16:59

I had exactly the same - noticed with an ultrasound for something else.
my GP just shrugged and said a lot of menopausal women have it and moved on. I’d forgotten about it until I saw this thread! I’m -probably a stone and a half fatter than I should be, I’d imagine that’s the cause!

worrisomeasset · 03/04/2025 17:12

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.

I’m not so sure. DH has been having regular liver function tests for years due to the medication he’s on. The tests always say his liver function is fine, even though he gets as pissed as a fart every Friday and Saturday!

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 18:09

mumalummum · 03/04/2025 12:45

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

Hi, Yes I am over weight.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 18:11

worrisomeasset · 03/04/2025 17:12

I’m not so sure. DH has been having regular liver function tests for years due to the medication he’s on. The tests always say his liver function is fine, even though he gets as pissed as a fart every Friday and Saturday!

Show quote history

Yes thats been the case with me. It didn't show any abnormalities in the liver function blood test. It only showed up on the ultrasound.

OP posts:
Annoyingsquirrels · 03/04/2025 18:12

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.

I think it is meant to be fructose which is largely to blame as unlike glucose this is metabolised directly by the liver. Fructose in fruit is ok as this is packaged with fibre but the issue is with glucose fructose corn syrup which is often added to upf. In the UK this is often in cheap ice cream. I noticed it when I had a glucose monitor and was amazed that ice cream despite veing sweet did not cause a blood sugar spike.

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 18:13

user6209817643 · 03/04/2025 16:59

I had exactly the same - noticed with an ultrasound for something else.
my GP just shrugged and said a lot of menopausal women have it and moved on. I’d forgotten about it until I saw this thread! I’m -probably a stone and a half fatter than I should be, I’d imagine that’s the cause!

Yes I understand and how menopause causes weight gain too. I'm overweight too. Is your fatty liver better now? x

OP posts:
Annoyingsquirrels · 03/04/2025 18:16

Here is a link about the role of fructose in non alcoholic fatty liver for anyone interested
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8637741/

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 19:32

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.

Thank you for your message. How long have you had a fatty liver for? x

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 19:34

Annoyingsquirrels · 03/04/2025 18:16

Here is a link about the role of fructose in non alcoholic fatty liver for anyone interested
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8637741/

Thank you so much for the link. I do eat fresh fruit but now I'm worried, can I even eat it anymore x

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 19:38

Topseyt123 · 03/04/2025 16:15

Thanks. I'm actually very well in myself on a day to day basis and have no symptoms.

I just have some long term medical conditions that need yearly monitoring - type 2 diabetes and an autoimmune thyroid condition for which I take daily medication.So the blood tests are routine and are done for those.

The NAFLD was picked up by chance as my regular blood tests began to show a raised ALT level. I stopped alcohol almost completely even though I wasn't a big drinker anyway. ALT then returned to normal but my liver is still fatty and slightly enlarged. I'm still completely asymptomatic though.

Edited
Show quote history

Hi, thank you for letting me know. I hope it gets better very soon and returns back to normal. Keeping you in prayers 🙏 God bless you 🙏

OP posts:
user6209817643 · 03/04/2025 19:52

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 18:13

Yes I understand and how menopause causes weight gain too. I'm overweight too. Is your fatty liver better now? x

Show quote history

No idea! My GP wasn’t concerned so I’ve not given it a second thought until I saw your thread title and thought oh I’ve got that! It was probably 4 or 5 years ago that I had the scan and no symptoms and no ones ever mentioned it at other medical appointments, HRT reviews or anything.

Spottidogs · 03/04/2025 20:32

NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 15:54

Hi, thank you for your message and I'm glad to hear you feel better. I have been on a couple of courses of antibiotics as well but they were this year, in January and the next set of antibiotics I was given were in February. I don't know if they may have caused the fatty liver. I am very anxious about it and can't get my mind of it and can't stop worrying about it.

Show quote history

Yes it does make you feel worried I think. But there are things you can do to make it better. I think it's common but most wouldn't know they had it.

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 20:36

user6209817643 · 03/04/2025 19:52

No idea! My GP wasn’t concerned so I’ve not given it a second thought until I saw your thread title and thought oh I’ve got that! It was probably 4 or 5 years ago that I had the scan and no symptoms and no ones ever mentioned it at other medical appointments, HRT reviews or anything.

Show quote history

Thank you for your message. Did you change eating habits or anything? x

OP posts:
Pleasealexa · 03/04/2025 21:40

Did you have a fibrescan, if so did they give you a grade? Were your LFT normal?

Firstly be pleased it's been observed because you can take action and the liver can heal. The Liver Trust is an excellent organisation and usually have a nurse on the helpline so worth calling them for reassurance.

Fatty liver is now very common but should still be taken seriously as it can be healed.

I don't agree with the previous post on blood tests being set high, that's not my experience. I would take blood results as an indicator that the liver is struggling so can be investigated

Springhassprungxx · 03/04/2025 21:54

Following

justasking111 · 03/04/2025 22:01

My friend had COVID. Fatty liver showed up. When retested it was fine. They said illness can cause it

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 22:14

Pleasealexa · 03/04/2025 21:40

Did you have a fibrescan, if so did they give you a grade? Were your LFT normal?

Firstly be pleased it's been observed because you can take action and the liver can heal. The Liver Trust is an excellent organisation and usually have a nurse on the helpline so worth calling them for reassurance.

Fatty liver is now very common but should still be taken seriously as it can be healed.

I don't agree with the previous post on blood tests being set high, that's not my experience. I would take blood results as an indicator that the liver is struggling so can be investigated

Hi,
Thank you for your message. No I haven't had a fibrescan. It was an ultrasound. My GP didn't say anything about my LFT not being normal. She just said I have a fatty liver and I need to.eat healthy and exercise x

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 22:16

justasking111 · 03/04/2025 22:01

My friend had COVID. Fatty liver showed up. When retested it was fine. They said illness can cause it

Hi, thank you for letting me know. I don't know if I've got Covid. I don't have any symptoms apart from a sinus infection x

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 03/04/2025 22:17

Spottidogs · 03/04/2025 20:32

Yes it does make you feel worried I think. But there are things you can do to make it better. I think it's common but most wouldn't know they had it.

Show quote history

Thank your for the reassurance x

OP posts:
Ginflinger · 03/04/2025 22:37

I also have been told I have a fatty liver, years ago, which didn't seem to worry my GP at all.

Recently had bloods done for something else. Whatever the marker is for the liver was very slightly raised. My GP said that they now do another blood test which can show whether you're more at risk of a fatty liver potentially progressing to cirrhosis.

I had that blood test yesterday. She said if I am in that group, they will need to "keep an eye on it". I'll see if I can find out what the test is called, if you like?

Original poster
NewPlumCat · 04/04/2025 08:54

Ginflinger · 03/04/2025 22:37

I also have been told I have a fatty liver, years ago, which didn't seem to worry my GP at all.

Recently had bloods done for something else. Whatever the marker is for the liver was very slightly raised. My GP said that they now do another blood test which can show whether you're more at risk of a fatty liver potentially progressing to cirrhosis.

I had that blood test yesterday. She said if I am in that group, they will need to "keep an eye on it". I'll see if I can find out what the test is called, if you like?

Okay thank you. Thats fine and I hope you feel better soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewPlumCat · 04/04/2025 08:56

user6209817643 · 03/04/2025 19:52

No idea! My GP wasn’t concerned so I’ve not given it a second thought until I saw your thread title and thought oh I’ve got that! It was probably 4 or 5 years ago that I had the scan and no symptoms and no ones ever mentioned it at other medical appointments, HRT reviews or anything.

Show quote history

Are you feeling okay now? Has the fatty liver reversed? x

OP posts: