How Do I Know If I Have a Fatty Liver?

Miriam Young Treats Fatty Liver in her practice in Jindalee, Brisbane

And What Does It Mean If I Have?

Usually your GP will let you know if fatty liver is a possibility, after looking at your blood test results.  Further investigation is needed, and you will be sent for an ultrasound or an MRI of your liver, then you may be given the diagnosis.   Yet generally there is nothing your doctor will offer you to reverse fatty liver.   They may however tell you to give up drinking.

Many people, however, can still have a fatty liver, and do not drink alcohol at all. And many people can still feel unwell and know something isn’t right, even though their liver markers come up within the normal range.   

High cholesterol, triglycerides, and AST and ALT levels don’t automatically indicate a fatty liver disease, just as normal levels don’t rule it out.

What Does It Actually Mean?  

It means there is a build up of fatty deposits in the liver.  Fatty liver occurs when the body creates excessive fat or cannot quickly metabolise fat. It’s common, particularly in people who have diabetes and are overweight. Although it might not cause any symptoms at all in some individuals, it can lead to significant health problems.

Signs that you may have more serious fatty liver disease include:

• yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)
• bruising
• dark urine
• swollen tummy
• vomiting blood
• black stools (poos)
• itchy skin

More advanced symptoms of Fatty Liver include:

•     Enlarged liver
•     Pain in the area of liver
•     Tiredness
•     Loss of appetite
•     Weight loss
•     Weakness
•     Nausea
•     Trouble concentrating and making decisions
•     Confusion
•     Dark colored skin on the neck or under the arms
•     Dark coloured skin on the neck or under the arms
•     In alcoholic liver disease, the symptoms worsen following a period of heavy drinking

If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to

•     Liver cirrhosis or scarring
•     Fluid build-up in the body or ascites
•     A tendency to bleed easily
•     Bleeding inside the body
•     Jaundice
•     Liver failure
•     Liver cancer

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH MIRIAM YOUNG – CLICK HERE 
 

How is fatty liver treated by a Medical Herbalist?

There are many herbal medicines to treat fatty liver disease.  I will create a herbal formulation specially for your individual needs in my clinic.  

Management involves making changes to your lifestyle. This can improve the condition and when you add in herbal medicines, reverse it.  I work with you in order that you can follow a healthy diet, one change at a time, lose weight, control your blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol and avoid orthodox medication that may also be affecting your liver.  

Can fatty liver disease be prevented?

I recommend following a Mediterranean diet – eating lots of fruit and vegetables, olives, olive oil, legumes and small amount of grains and white meats.  If you know me then I often recommend juices and smoothies which never go astray!  

Being physically active on most days is also important.   

In my practice I find it take 3 to 12 months to turn around fatty liver.   Diet alone in my experience is not enough, if you want changes fast.  Herbal medicines also serve to resolve the inflammation that usually comes with this condition, lessen depression and boost energy levels.  Viruses often sit in the liver and wait until you are run-down before becoming more rampant.  The immune system and liver work closely together.  

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH MIRIAM YOUNG – CLICK HERE 

Do you know someone with Fatty Liver?  Forward this email to them.  🙂