Been diagnosed with Fatty Liver: What can I do about it?

Posted by trellg132 @trellg132, May 26, 2020

doctor says I have a fatty liver what to do?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@jessiccab

I have also been diagnosed with Fatty liver, I do not drink or eat fast food or snacks. I have recently gained weight for an unknown reason. My life and diet has not changed. I feel the symptoms , fatigue bloating ect. My Dr. has no answers other than he says I am swollen and my white blood cell count is high. He says my liver enzymes are good. I'm so depressed by this weight gain. I eat very little and home cooked meals.

Jump to this post

@jessiccab, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I did not have Fatty Liver disease, but another liver disease. I hope that my experience will prove helpful to you as you begin to navigate a new diagnosis. It must be frightening for you. I know it was for me.

How long ago did you receive this diagnosis? The swelling and the elevated white blood count could be sign of an infection. When I had liver disease, I frequently had infections along with my abdominal swelling (ascites - fluid retention) and needed antibiotics. Is it possible that your weight gain is due to possible abdominal fluid retention?
For liver disease, you will want to be treated by a Gastroenterologist. Are you being treated by your Primary Care doctor or a Gastroenterologist?

I have added a link to information about Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. I think it will give you some information so that you can have a meaningful conversation with your doctor.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/

REPLY
@rosemarya

@jessiccab, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I did not have Fatty Liver disease, but another liver disease. I hope that my experience will prove helpful to you as you begin to navigate a new diagnosis. It must be frightening for you. I know it was for me.

How long ago did you receive this diagnosis? The swelling and the elevated white blood count could be sign of an infection. When I had liver disease, I frequently had infections along with my abdominal swelling (ascites - fluid retention) and needed antibiotics. Is it possible that your weight gain is due to possible abdominal fluid retention?
For liver disease, you will want to be treated by a Gastroenterologist. Are you being treated by your Primary Care doctor or a Gastroenterologist?

I have added a link to information about Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. I think it will give you some information so that you can have a meaningful conversation with your doctor.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I am on antibiotics. I am currently taking magnesium and potassium to try to reduce fluid retention I am also working with weights in the pool everyday. I try to drink 2L of water a day. Only family practices is treating me I go for a CT scan in August.

REPLY
@jessiccab

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I am on antibiotics. I am currently taking magnesium and potassium to try to reduce fluid retention I am also working with weights in the pool everyday. I try to drink 2L of water a day. Only family practices is treating me I go for a CT scan in August.

Jump to this post

@jessiccab
Good Morning, Jessica. I was in a bit of a rush when I replied last evening, and I incorrectly assumed that you were being treated or monitored. I apologize for that. Being newly diagnosed, your family doctor is doing exactly what he/she should do. You will learn more about 'you' and your condition as he/she learns more. Having a doctor that you know and trust is a gift! In my case my PCP saw unusual liver labs that did not make sense to him so he sent me to a GI for further investigation.

Here is a correction to the link I shared to learn more about diagnosis, blood tests, imaging and tests, treatment, and lifestyle and home remedies.
Since you are new to liver disease, I want to stress this note from the Life Style and Home remedies section:
"Protect your liver. Avoid things that will put extra stress on your liver. For instance, don't drink alcohol. Follow the instructions on all medications and over-the-counter drugs. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as not all herbal products are safe." Has your doctor approved of the magnesium and potassium? Has he talked to you about over-the-counter medications?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567
I commend you for your positive efforts with your healthy diet, healthy weight, exercise.

REPLY
@rosemarya

@jessiccab
Good Morning, Jessica. I was in a bit of a rush when I replied last evening, and I incorrectly assumed that you were being treated or monitored. I apologize for that. Being newly diagnosed, your family doctor is doing exactly what he/she should do. You will learn more about 'you' and your condition as he/she learns more. Having a doctor that you know and trust is a gift! In my case my PCP saw unusual liver labs that did not make sense to him so he sent me to a GI for further investigation.

Here is a correction to the link I shared to learn more about diagnosis, blood tests, imaging and tests, treatment, and lifestyle and home remedies.
Since you are new to liver disease, I want to stress this note from the Life Style and Home remedies section:
"Protect your liver. Avoid things that will put extra stress on your liver. For instance, don't drink alcohol. Follow the instructions on all medications and over-the-counter drugs. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as not all herbal products are safe." Has your doctor approved of the magnesium and potassium? Has he talked to you about over-the-counter medications?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567
I commend you for your positive efforts with your healthy diet, healthy weight, exercise.

Jump to this post

So, I dont regularly go to the Doctor. By that I mean this is the first time in years I have physically seen a Doctor. I do not take time off work and I don't trust Doctors in general. My father died at the cost of a hospital mistake and my Mother has suffered for a very long time because major issues were not seen. I was not taking vitamins before I saw the Doctor. I am hoping when I get the CT scan I will see an improvement. I do not want to wait untill August to take action. My biggest frustration is that My weight gain is either causing it or...it caused my weight gain. Either way I feel like a mother walrus.

REPLY
@rosemarya

@jessiccab, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I did not have Fatty Liver disease, but another liver disease. I hope that my experience will prove helpful to you as you begin to navigate a new diagnosis. It must be frightening for you. I know it was for me.

How long ago did you receive this diagnosis? The swelling and the elevated white blood count could be sign of an infection. When I had liver disease, I frequently had infections along with my abdominal swelling (ascites - fluid retention) and needed antibiotics. Is it possible that your weight gain is due to possible abdominal fluid retention?
For liver disease, you will want to be treated by a Gastroenterologist. Are you being treated by your Primary Care doctor or a Gastroenterologist?

I have added a link to information about Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. I think it will give you some information so that you can have a meaningful conversation with your doctor.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/

Jump to this post

@rosemarya the link doesn’t open for me - I get the message: “Page Not Found”

REPLY
@rosemarya

@jessiccab
Good Morning, Jessica. I was in a bit of a rush when I replied last evening, and I incorrectly assumed that you were being treated or monitored. I apologize for that. Being newly diagnosed, your family doctor is doing exactly what he/she should do. You will learn more about 'you' and your condition as he/she learns more. Having a doctor that you know and trust is a gift! In my case my PCP saw unusual liver labs that did not make sense to him so he sent me to a GI for further investigation.

Here is a correction to the link I shared to learn more about diagnosis, blood tests, imaging and tests, treatment, and lifestyle and home remedies.
Since you are new to liver disease, I want to stress this note from the Life Style and Home remedies section:
"Protect your liver. Avoid things that will put extra stress on your liver. For instance, don't drink alcohol. Follow the instructions on all medications and over-the-counter drugs. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as not all herbal products are safe." Has your doctor approved of the magnesium and potassium? Has he talked to you about over-the-counter medications?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567
I commend you for your positive efforts with your healthy diet, healthy weight, exercise.

Jump to this post

@roaemarya - this link opened fine! Thank you!

REPLY
@jessiccab

So, I dont regularly go to the Doctor. By that I mean this is the first time in years I have physically seen a Doctor. I do not take time off work and I don't trust Doctors in general. My father died at the cost of a hospital mistake and my Mother has suffered for a very long time because major issues were not seen. I was not taking vitamins before I saw the Doctor. I am hoping when I get the CT scan I will see an improvement. I do not want to wait untill August to take action. My biggest frustration is that My weight gain is either causing it or...it caused my weight gain. Either way I feel like a mother walrus.

Jump to this post

Hi Jessica, I agree with @rosemarya that you should check with your doctor before taking supplements, especially with a new diagnosis. Low levels of magnesium and potassium have been linked to fatty liver disease, but you'll want to verify that this is true in your case and if so how much to take and how often, etc.

I can understand the frustration with weight gain. Kudos to you for keeping up the swimming and physical activity. It will help.

Jessica, have you talked to your doctor about your mistrust and family experience with medical professionals? It would be helpful for them to know and understand.

REPLY

Can fatty liver be reversed?

REPLY
@lacy459

Can fatty liver be reversed?

Jump to this post

Yes, I belive it can be.
Lose weight, no drinking, eat healthy foods.

REPLY

Does anyone else have fatty liver?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.