Fatty Liver

In the past four years I have lost both of my brother's to liver disease. Both brother's were under 51 and had Type 2 Diabetes. When a recent blood work of mine came back with elevated liver panels....I panicked. I had a MRI done and my doctor said I am borderline diabetic and I have a fatty liver....he also mentioned NASH. He said I should try to lose a few pounds and retest in a few months. I am scared and confused. I would appreciate any advice you can give. David’s Response Donna, your doctor’s advice is sound. As far as it goes. Since you don’t have full-blown diabetes as yet, you are lucky! But you have a choice right now to avoid sliding over that line. You can cure prediabetes, but you can’t cure full-blown diabetes. By all means, buy and read a great book by Gretchen Becker, Prediabetes: What You Need to Know to Keep Diabetes Away. If you put her recommendations into practice, you can avoid the complications of diabetes. As to your fatty liver, all I can suggest is the same strategy as I am following – milk thistle.

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.

Am utterley confused, I never heard of fatty liver until I recentley underwent an Ab scan, and discovered it, my doctor has told me it is nothing to be too greatley concerned about, diet will benefit this disorder, and now he has gone on holidays, and as I reasearch this the more concerned I get, I have never taken alcolhol, am not obese, but do take a lot of medication for high blood preasure, thryoid, and depression which I understand can be a cause, any information you can give me will be appreciated, also I am not a diabetic, another reason for the mystery appearance of fatty liver... David's response The best resource that I have found on fatty liver is "Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis" by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ ddiseases/pubs/nash/. It seems from reading this web page that while having fat in the liver is not normal, by itself it probably causes little harm or permanent damage. But it can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis which can be severe and in turn can can lead to cirrhosis, in which the liver is permanently damaged and scarred and no longer able to work properly. So to try to stop this disease in its tracks is the reason that I use milk thistle.

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.

I did not realize that my fatty liver was so serious til reading these comments on your website. I have been struggling 2 yrs to lower my blood sugar level to no avail So far I take 120cc of slow acting insulin amary-4ml.,and humalog insulin as needed. I am going to start on glucophage(sp?)after I have a heart catherazation next week.I am hoping for some results as I am beginning to worry. I love all your help. Thanks

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 was told I had a fatty liver 10-12 years ago, but only recently have my sugar counts been high enough for my Dr. to spasm (125 last year, 130 this year) but I am very overweight. I started taking Milk Thistle soon after the fatty liver comment and my liver tests have been good for several years now.

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.

After several bouts of severe pain, right upper quadrant, and having no gall bladder diagnosis, my dr. ordered upper GI, CT scan, ultrasound and hidascan. Long story short, I have cholesterol of 190, am pre-diabetic, weigh only 121 lbs at 5'2", and have been told that I need to become a "vegetarian marathon runner" to reverse my Fatty Liver diagnosis. Very discouraging to have a relatively good diet (occasional fast food, but 95% lean meats, lots of beans and veggies), and drink only a glass of wine a couple of times a week. At any rate, I am now taking red yeast rice to help with LDL, and Milk Thistle to help overall liver function. Am a bit reluctant to get my bloodwork done in case these attempts are not successful. I am, however, convinced the Milk Thistle helped me through my last "liver attack" and kept me from having a week or more of pain and discomfort due to inflammation. Thanks for your insights Dave - Sometimes we are our own best physicians! David's Response: The key point that I absolutely agree with, Laurel, is that "we are our own best physician." We all have to take responsibility for our own body, especially those of us with diabetes. Doctors can help a lot, but they aren't infallible.

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."

Your website has been the most helpful resource to me, since my Diabetes diagnosis in 2000. The information on NASH is just what I needed to read, since my recent tests came back with elevated liver enzymes (ultra sound next week). My first reaction was panic, since I had my sugar levels under tight control (HA

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.

I have just been diagnosed with fatty liver. My question is: is it fatal? I am very worried. Thanks. David's Response: Please don't be overly concerned, Angie. While it isn't normal to have fatty liver, about a quarter of Americans have it. By itself it probably causes little harm or permanent damage. But it can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, which is serious and can lead to cirrhosis, which permanently damages the liver so that it doesn’t work well any more.

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

Dave Interesting topic... I'm working in this industry myself and I don't agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future

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.

I just found this site and it is great. I am going to get milk thistle started in my body as soon as I can get it ordered & here. I will update on MY progress later, but I will always be reading this now. Thanks. David's Response: Thank you, Shirley. I am most interested to hear how milk thistle helps control those pesky liver enzymes. Both my wife and I are taking it for those problems and I can't wait to be retested myself.

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.

You guys should try a low carb diet to see if your liver tests get better. Other people have had good results with it. Excess carb intake is turned into fat by the liver, that is one of it's functions, so it could work.

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!

My mom went in for some test to rule out Kidney Stones! the xray showed that her liver is a fatty one and so many blackspots the RadioOlogist "said too many to count! Does this necessarily mean that it is CA?. And was this caused from her insulin?.

 

 

3 months ago about she had her gallbladder out it was full of stones and was useless! But at that time there was no alarming sign of Fatty Liver!.

 

Mom is very scared!