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November 23, 2009
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Patient Discussions: Fatty Liver - How Was Diagnosis Established

Fatty Liver - How Was Diagnosis Established

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

The symptoms of fatty liver can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Fatty Liver

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Comment from: hope this helps, 45-54 Male (Patient)

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. Published: January 21 ::

Comment from: Sunshine, 35-44 Female (Patient)

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. Published: January 21 ::

Comment from: Nancy Jill, 45-54 Female (Patient)

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. Published: January 21 ::

Comment from: Wisconsin Dad, 35-44 Male (Patient)

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. Published: January 21 ::

Comment from: cord12, 45-54 Female (Patient)

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. Published: November 17 ::

Comment from: Grinch, 45-54 Female (Patient)

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. Published: September 17 ::


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Fatty Liver

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For...

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