Fatty Liver - Nonalcoholic

Symptoms

Often, people with NAFLD have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, the most common include:

• Fatigue
• Pain in the upper right abdomen

In people with NASH who have liver damage, symptoms may include:

• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Itching
• Fluid buildup and swelling in the legs and abdomen
• Mental confusion
• GI bleeding

Exams and Tests

NAFLD is often found during routine blood tests that are used to see how well the liver is working.

You may have the following tests to measure liver function:

• Complete blood count
• Prothrombin time
• Blood albumin level

Your health care provider may ask for certain imaging tests, including:

• Ultrasound is often used to confirm a diagnosis of NAFLD
• MRI and CT scan may also be needed

A liver biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of NASH, the more severe form of NAFLD.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for NAFLD. The goal is to manage your risk factors and any health conditions.

Your provider will help you understand your condition and the healthy choices that can help you take care of your liver. These may include:

• Losing weight if you are overweight.
• Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt.
• Not drinking alcohol.
• Staying physically active.
• Managing health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Getting vaccinated for diseases such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
• Lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Taking medicines as directed. Talk to your provider about all medicines you take, including herbs and supplements and over-the-counter medicines.

Losing weight and managing diabetes can slow or sometimes reverse the deposit of fat in the liver.

Outlook(Prognosis)

Many people with NAFLD have no health problems and do not go on to develop NASH. Losing weight and making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent more serious problems.

It is unclear why some people develop NASH. NASH can lead to cirrhosis.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Most people with NAFLD do not know they have it. See your provider if you begin to have unusual symptoms such as fatigue or abdominal pain.

Prevention

To help prevent NAFLD:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Use medicines properly

References

Chalasani N, Younossi Z, Lavine JE, Diehl AM, Brunt EM, Cusi K, Charlton M, Sanyal AJ; American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; American College of Gastroenterology; American Gastroenterological Association. The diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Gastroenterological Association. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jun;107(6):811-26. PMID: 22641309 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22641309.

Reid AE. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 85.