Hello, I learned about milk thistle from "The Fat Flush Plan" I use this eating plan mixed with "The four Corners Diet" book I saw reviewed on your website. Milk thistle really helps, I noticed a change in my FBGs in a few weeks. I also eat small meals and tried to keep a lean liver even befor I heard about fatty liver. The less stored in the liver the better, for me at least. My BGs now stay under 130 PP unless I cheat a little and no more 140+ in the AM, mostly near or under 100. The earlier I get up and test, eat, and exercise the better my levels are all day. I take 600 mg of Metformin. David's Response While I have never heard that milk thistle can bring down blood glucose levels, Earlene, I consider it a great added benefit. I am impressed that it is helping you so much. I think that it is helping me to control and possibly even reverse my fatty liver – something that about half of us have.

I have had blood work all my life and always my liver results is slightly elevated.. Recently my Dr. told me that I have a fatty liver.. I have been using cortisone creams my entire life(Diprolene,Elecon).In doing research cortisone creams can contribute to my liver being elevated..I also bruise very easily.Thank You David's Response I don't know if there is any connection between cotisone and fatty liver or bruising and fatty liver. I do know that if you take too much of the so-called blood thinners warfarin (Coumadin), it can cause bruising, so your doctor has to strictly regulate it. In any case, these are excellent questions to ask your doctor.

Hi Dave, I just had my annual blood work done and my Doctor called and seemed very concerned. I am taking Lovastatin for high colesterol. I had high liver panels, twice the normal level and for the first time, I have elevated blood sugar levels. I was dignosed about 10 years ago with a fatty liver. I do need to loose weight, so needless to say, I am off and running to start that program. Now, I am scared. Any other suggestions? Thanks. Wanda

I recently had blood work done and my liver counts were a little high, they keep getting a little higher. Im not sure how I can lower my counts? David's Response: I was worried too. But what I wrote about above, particularly milk thistle, really worked for me. The one thing that I don't know if I stressed enough was to completely stop drinking anything alcoholic.

I was told i had fatty liver about a year ago last time my doc said my liver was 17cm but my liver function test were normal. I had ultra sound and ct scan. I have lost over 100 lbs since my diagnos. But i am having problems now sticking to my diet. I also have some tenderness on my right side. I am scared that i might have done more damage to my liver by cheating on my diet. I can't stop eating chips lately. I crave them so badly. Also my doc said she did not believe in herbs when i mentioned milk thistle I want to try it but i don't want to hurt my liver more. Could this harm my liver more? David's Response: Angela, I can't answer your question directly. I am not a doctor and to say whether or not milk thistle could harm your liver more would be to give you medical advice, which is illegal. Few doctors will recommend any herbs, so I am not surprised that yours doesn't. Mine didn't either (the one I fired). There are two reliable websites dealing with alternative therapies, including herbs. One is The Natural Pharmacy, which I wrote about at http://blogs.healthcentral.com/diabetes/david-mendosa/alternative-therapies-for-diabetes-2005-11-27 You can check out yourself what it says about milk thistle. The other site is a subscription site called The Natural Standard. It says, "Milk thistle is generally considered to be safe. Adverse reactions appear to be mild when used within the recommended dosage parameters, with occasional gastrointestinal symptoms, and rare cases of anaphylaxis."

I have just come across your bogg on "Fatty Livers". I was told I had a fatty liver a few years ago, but was assured by the Dr that this was nothing to worry about. Now I told things have changed. I found a book by an Austrailian medical Dr. a Sandra Cabot who has written a book about the liver and numerous conditions, that people may have including the fatty liver. This book is about cleansing the liver, and how to reverse a fatty liver. She does offer a liver cleansing diet to help and a supplement program to help the liver`s ability to detoxify and burn fat. There is also a webb site - http://www.liverdoctor.com. Hope this helps someone.

Hi all I was diagnosed with a fatty liver in november 2005. it is august 2006 and my readings are still going up and i have lost 16kg since i was diagnosed am at a lost as to what i can do have just started on milk thistly hoping that will work any other ideas, have also got high blood presure which is controled by medication. Debbie

I have a question. About one year ago I was told I had elivated results for a blood test on my liver and again about 6 months ago I asked about this they said I probley had a fatty liver also that I should not eat small nuts or popcorn. first let me say right now I am spitting up blood it started 2 days ago and I went to the ER they did blood test and the liver results were elivated again. They checked my nose and throat for signs of bleeding and found none. I fell the blood come up in my throat and if I drink a small amount of water it will happen within a minute or so. The blood is bright and dark red it is thin and thickI am a disabled vet and can go to the VA hospital but it is 3 hours away I plan on going but have kids to deal with as well and my spouse works. I am not having any pains but it does seem like at times I fell hot like a slight hot flash and even almost sweat but it only last about 5 min. This also just started. Here is my main question, can this spitting up blood be something to do with my liver should I be more concerned? Please respond soon this is happening now. David's Response: I haven't heard that spitting up blood has anything to do with elevated liver enzymes, Roger. Without going to a doctor there is no way to tell what's causing it. But if I were spitting up blood, I would go to the emergency room immediately. Please do what you know that you have to do for your health.

How much Milk Thistle should you take for fatty liver? David's Response: The standard dose, which is the amount I take, is one capsule of standardized milk thistle 30:1 with each of the three meals.

My liver enzymes are slightly elevated, my doctor says go on a fat-free diet.  This sounded unresonable to me so I am doing a lot of research.  I do not have insurance to cover a liver ultrasound.  I have ordered milk thistle and will know in 6 months if it has worked.  I am only 10-15 lbs over my ideal weight and exercise daily.  My question is this; I also have hypothyroidism and elevated blood pressure, which is controlled by Cozaar 50 mg daily.  I have been researching this drug and find evidence that it can cause elevated liver enzymes.  I have also taken massive amounts of Excedrin over the last 40 years, I have read that this could also cause this problem.  Could the combination be causing the problem?  Will milk thistle put my liver back in shape?  I will let you know in 6 months what the tests show.  P.S. My total cholesterol is 225 but my tryglicerides are within the normal range, I am 63 years and 11 months old and just want to get to 65 so I can be on Medicare and have adequate insurance!

Ok here is one for you my son who is only 17y/o and 105lbs. Has had type 1 diabeties since he was 4y/o. Now we have been told he has a fatty liver his enzymes have been elevated for the past 6 months. He has had liver biopsy and ultrasound. But the Dr says that his Liver is hard not soft like you expect with a fatty liver. He has now had more blood test done and awaiting results on those. He has had abd pain but it goes away in about 4 hours no other symptoms of anything. But now that he is a teenager he does not take good control over his diabeties. He does not drink or take durgs. I am just confused about what it might be is it his poor control or something else.