Insulin Resistance and Fatty Liver

Posted by kinmeta @kinmeta, Jul 15, 2018

I am at the age of 56. For years I had fatty liver. I tried to improve the situation by physical exercise. Since July last year, every day I ran 3.5 mile on a running machine. Sadly, weight was not reduced and a recent ultrasound exam showed fatty liver worsened.
Further IGT test showed both glucose level and insulin level are moderately higher than normal. Doctor told me it is the case of insulin resistance associated with fatty liver.
I feel quite discouraged that I really tried my best but could not see any improvement.
Can anyone share the experience with me how to make things better with diet plus physical exercise?
Is my case serious enough to justify a medicine? Two widely used medicines in China are Metformin and TZDs. But, both have serious side effects, esp. Metformin hurts stomach and I already have serious stomach problems. Any other recommendations?
Or can anyone introduce me some medicine from natural materials, instead of from chemicals?
Thank you very much.

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@kinmeta I have no answers for you, but your post brings up something I have wondered about for quite a while. I was diagnosed with diabetes @ 2009. My cirrhosis was diagnosed in 2014 and the hepatologist said I probably had it for about 10 years. So, does fatty liver and diabetes contribute to cirrhosis, or does cirrhosis cause diabetes? I think I will drop a note on the portal to my hepatologist one of these days and ask her. Since I am post-transplant I no longer see her, but she made it clear to me that if I ever needed to ask anything to feel free to.
I was on metformin for a while but then taken off of it and have not been on anything since, except for immediately following my transplant. Taking prednisone in a large dose increased my bg and I had to use insulin for a few weeks until the dosage was decreased. Generally my bg runs between 5 and 6.
JK

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Metrormin has recognised *possible* side effects of a gastro-intestinal type. They are not everybody's experience and were not mine. Sadly some people make the assumption that side rejects are guaranteed when they certainly are not. Controlled release Metformin can often solve those gastric issues. Metformin can assist with reducing insulin resistance and research is showing that it can be protective against cardiac problems and some cancers. You might want to consider the "Newcastle Diet" to deal with both your fatty liver and weight - please see https://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/DiabetesService/PatientsCarers/Documents/SJH%20NEWCASTLE%20DIET%20BOOKLET2012.pdf This diet resulted from clinical research in the UK.

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I also have fatty liver and borderline slightly high glucose. I have done some research and believe a reduction in animal fats and sugar would be my best bet.

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No real tips here, but I am very empathetic. I have been struggling with weight loss and I did at one time have fatty liver issues. I think my fatty liver issues were resolved with Metformin and life style changes in the form of healthier eating. Early on, I started Metformin lost weight very rapidly until I hit a plateau.

I avoid the Metformin side effects by eating a good breakfast every morning just before I take my Metformin.

One of my doctors said to me recently "Take your medicine, stop suffering, and let yourself get well". You can always stop taking the medicine if it starts to cause issues. The worst that can happen is that you and your doctor will learn what you can, and can not tolerated.

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Perhaps, look at the ketogenic diet. On YouTube enter Dr. Phinney, but 1st, for fatty liver, on YouTube enter Dr. Eric Berg. Quit eating sugar.

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@dlewins

Metrormin has recognised *possible* side effects of a gastro-intestinal type. They are not everybody's experience and were not mine. Sadly some people make the assumption that side rejects are guaranteed when they certainly are not. Controlled release Metformin can often solve those gastric issues. Metformin can assist with reducing insulin resistance and research is showing that it can be protective against cardiac problems and some cancers. You might want to consider the "Newcastle Diet" to deal with both your fatty liver and weight - please see https://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/DiabetesService/PatientsCarers/Documents/SJH%20NEWCASTLE%20DIET%20BOOKLET2012.pdf This diet resulted from clinical research in the UK.

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@dlewins Very restrictive of course, but sometimes I think that can make a diet easier. If you can't eat any of something it keeps you from overeating whatever that is. I wonder if the lower bg also happens if you lose weight with a more traditional diet. I lost weight that way. I have an appointment with my endocrinologist at the end of August so I will be curious to see what my A1c is then. I used to go to this doctor but then he moved away so I let my PCP handle my diabetes and thyroid but I decided to return to my original endo since he is less than an hour away.
JK

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I had fatty liver and now walk 2 ks most days, but the best thing for me was to lose weight. I have cut out bread and have lost a lot of weight around my stomach.

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how is fatty liver diagnosed? same question for insulin resistance?

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@user_ch2456688

how is fatty liver diagnosed? same question for insulin resistance?

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You doctor can diagnose both using a blood test. An ultrasound or biopsy or ultrasound may be ordered by your physician if you have multiple suspicious blood tests.

My doctor checks me every six months, and sometimes at three month intervals when my numbers get out of whack.

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I would like to add this information to this discussion from Mayo Clinic about the Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567

Rosemary

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