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Hepatic steatosis with none of the risk factors?
Hi all, I am brand new and did a small search for this topic, but didn’t find anything. My 23 year old son was just diagnosed with hepatic steatosis, as found through annual blood work and follow up ultrasound. My concern is that he’s truly has none of the risk factors and we are at a loss as to why this is happening. He is very fit, doesn’t drink alcohol or sodas, only water. He lives at home and I cook primarily a vegetarian/chicken and turkey diet with olive oil only. All other labs are normal..is this just genetic? Although no one else in the family has had liver disease. I’m freaking out a bit, so any advice is helpful, thank you!
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Hi. I have stenosis of the hepatic arteries. That is different than the steatosis your son has. I had non alcoholic fatty liver due to genetics (about 5 % of folks who have fatty liver are non alcoholic ). I never had any symptoms of that nor do I have any from my stenosis which I got after a liver transplant. Both were found by scans & blood work. I got rid of the bad liver via transplant but gained the stenosis. Overall a good trade for me. But anyway the way your son retains fat in the liver is probably genetic the way my liver was fatty despite not drinking & other healthy habits ,etc. My mom and other family members are pretty heavy drinkers and their livers are fine. But I have been a very light drinker since college and needed a liver transplant. My liver took after my dad not my mom. Sounds like you are doing all the healthy things. Good ! Your doctor will have medications for it if warranted. Best of luck.
There are many reasons for high liver enzymes other than obesity and alcohol. For example, medications, supplements and diet. I found a wealth of information online. By changes to my diet and stopping most meds and supplements, my liver enzymes returned to normal.
@craigcraig thank you for replying. Our heads are spinning trying to figure out why this is happening to him, and the more information we can gather does help!
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1 Reaction@tillymack Thanks for your reply! Hopefully we can get to the root cause for him, because he doesn’t have much he can change about his lifestyle…he has no meds and takes no supplements and eats really healthy…but hearing your numbers returned to normal is reassuring!
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1 ReactionHave you considered seeking advice from a hepatologist? I referred myself to a hepatologist and she was most helpful.
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2 Reactions@tillymack absolutely! In fact we would love to take him to Mayo for a full work up, but he’s hesitant as we just got the diagnosis yesterday. We’re in Illinois but would travel anywhere for him. Thank you for the suggestion
Could you share the diagnosis? That would make all the difference in terms of advice.
@caliope - if you all do decide to take him to Mayo Clinic for a work up, you can request an appointment for him here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
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3 ReactionsSo far his gp is just saying fatty liver. Ultrasound stated hepatic steatosis with no lesions. His ALP is 121..but lipid panel and glucose are all stellar.
We’re making changes to his diet but I’m worried because his diet is already great so there’s not a ton to change..
Appreciate your willingness to help
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1 ReactionHe has been working at a commercial greenhouse part time for the past 9 months and I’ve wondered if that could be the cause?