Comment from: hope this helps, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: January 21
I'm a 53-year-old white male. I have been diagnosed with NASH. I had always had blood work and a full physical performed on my 40th and then 50th birthdays. On my 40th, my liver enzymes where slightly abnormal, but I was told not to worry. On my 50th, the test showed high iron in the blood, and I began to worry. I also had a very dark urine stream. I was also having chest pains, which prompted more tests for the heart. These proved negative, which led them to do a CAT scan of the lungs. That also proved negative, but it showed a fatty liver. A liver biopsy showed cirrhosis, and the final diagnosis was NASH. I had a gene test that showed a bad gene. I have had the iron reduced through phlebotomy. I have also had pain in my knee joints, which is relieved by glucosamine. I have never been a drinker.
Comment from: Sunshine, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: January 21
I have been having pain in my right side for years now. My appendix ruptured and was removed. My gallbladder wasn't working, so that too was removed. Since I continued to have pain, I went back to my doctor and after an ultrasound, was told that I have an enlarged or fatty liver. I am not extremely obese, but I am a little on the heavy side, so I was told to come down and to cut down on my fat intake. No one bothered to ask me about my diet. I rarely eat any fried foods whatsoever; I pretty much bake everything I eat (poultry and only certain types of fish) unless I am eating fruits and veggies. I am upset because I do not really know what else to do and I am still in pain. I have quit working because the pain is unbearable at times. My job was good to me and continued to pay my insurance for three months, but soon I will no longer have insurance.
Comment from: Nancy Jill, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: January 21
My fatty liver was found when I was having a chest CT scan. I had/have no liver pain. I am not a big drinker. I am also not overweight. I was sent to a specialist who did a liver biopsy and the results were fatty liver. My liver levels were normal in February of 2008, and in December of 2008, they were elevated. My Alt is 128 and AST is 69.
Comment from: Wisconsin Dad, 35-44 Male (Patient)Published: January 21
I just learned of my tentative diagnosis of fatty liver. I'm 40, male, drink almost no alcohol (10 to 20 drinks per year), with a BMI of about 26 (not thin but not extremely overweight), and I am on no medications of any kind. I eat healthy, though a bit too much.
I had an unrelated issue which was prompting me to visit the doctor more frequently, and part of those visits included a liver function test. Other than the albumin levels, which were at the top of the normal range (4.7), every other measure was smack dab in the middle of the normal range.
But like others here I was having strange sensations in my upper right quadrant (just above/inside my lowest rib, down to a few inches below that rib, from 2" right of my sternum to about 7" from my sternum, along the rib line) - I was hesitant to even call it pain, more like little pinches every now and again when I moved, or sometimes a soreness, usually after eating. Also had/have some acid stomach issues after eating larger meals, and am experiencing a loss of appetite, accompanying weight loss and some nausea.
I also felt that fullness others are describing - I found myself wiggling my torso left and right to see if it was just in my head or if something really did feel odd.
Went in this morning for my ultrasound (thank God for speedy results!), and got the call a few hours later, that it appeared to be fatty deposits on my liver. We're scheduling a CT scan as a follow-up to confirm the diagnosis, and from there will discuss future plans for diet, exercise, medication.
Hope that info can help someone.
Comment from: cord12, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: November 17
I had no symptoms that I was aware of until some routine blood tests came back with elevated liver enzymes. I was sent to a specialist who did more blood work and a sonogram. The blood work revealed that I also had increased iron levels. The sonogram showed nothing abnormal. He recommended a liver biopsy because of the high iron levels. The biopsy confirmed fatty liver but no stored deposits of iron in the liver. It has been recommended that I lose 10% of my body weight over the next year and return for blood work every six months.
Comment from: Grinch, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: September 17
I am a 52 year old female who is overweight, but not severely. I have had pain in my back shoulder blade area for years and was diagnosed with reflux disease. Within the last year I have had pain in my ribs below my chest, chest pain, fullness in my right rib and pain in my right back ribs. In May blood tests showed liver enzyme levels were high. I have had a liver ultrasound, gallbladder function test (HIDA scan), and a CT scan. In the past my gallbladder ultrasounds were normal, but the HIDA showed that my gallbladder was filled with slug and not working. I will be having my gallbladder removed in Dec and they will also be doing a liver biopsy as they believe I have NASH. I have been trying to lose weight, only occasionally have any alcoholic beverages and have been watching my carbs. So far I have lost about 10 lbs. and I am feeling somewhat better, but still have the fullness in the right rib area as if a tennis ball is in there.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by
blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, especially with intravenous
drug abuse. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, usually in combination with anti-virals.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.
The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.
The main features of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertension (high blood pressure), cholesterol abnormalities, and an increased risk for clotting. Patients are most often overweight or obese. Lifestyle modification such as the Mediterranean diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are the preferred treatment of metabolic syndrome.
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, and is actually an gland. The liver has a wide variety of critical functions such as manufacturing proteins and metabolizing fats and carbohydrates. The liver also eliminates harmful biochemical waste products from the body (alcohol, drugs, toxins). The liver secretes bile that aids in digestion. Examples of diseases of the liver include cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer, and fatty liver. Symptoms of liver disease include bleeding, easy bruising, edema, fatigue, and jaundice.
Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
Reye's syndrome (RS, or Reye syndrome) is a sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain with degeneration of the liver. Reye syndrome occurs in children and comes after the chickenpox or an influenza-type illness, is also associated with taking medications containing aspirin. Symptoms include vomiting, listlessness, irritability or combativeness, confusion, delirium, delusions, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Treatment depends on early diagnosis and focuses on protecting the brain against irreversible damage by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs, and anticipating cardiac arrest.
Fast food consumption and lack of exercise are just a couple of causes of childhood obesity. Health effects of childhood obesity include type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, fatty liver disease, GERD, depression, and eating disorders.
HCV is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the
liver).
Up to 85% of individuals who are initially (acutely) infected with HCV will
fail to eliminate the virus and will become chronically infected.
HCV is spread most commonly through inadvertent
exposure to infected blood. Intravenous
drug abuse is the most common mode of transmission. The risk of
acquiring HCV through sexual contact is low.
Generally, patients do not develop symptoms of chronic infection with HCV
until they have extensive scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Some individuals,
however, may have fatigue and other non-specific symptoms in the absence of
cirrhosis. A minority of patients with HCV have symptoms from organs outside of
the liver.
In the U.S., Infection with HCV is the most common cause of chronic
hepatitis and the most common reason for liver transplantation.
I'm a 53-year-old white male. I have been diagnosed with NASH. I had always had blood work and a full physical performed on my 40th and then 50th birthdays. On my 40th, my liver enzymes where slightly abnormal, but I was told not to worry. On my 50th, the test showed high iron in the blood, and I began to worry. I also had a very dark urine stream. I was also having chest pains, which prompted more tests for the heart. These proved negative, which led them to do a CAT scan of the lungs. That also proved negative, but it showed a fatty liver. A liver biopsy showed cirrhosis, and the final diagnosis was NASH. I had a gene test that showed a bad gene. I have had the iron reduced through phlebotomy. I have also had pain in my knee joints, which is relieved by glucosamine. I have never been a drinker.
Related Reading: liver | fatty liver | liver biopsy