Fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease means that too much fat is stored in liver cells. Metabolic dysfunction often contributes, but alcohol, medicines and other diseases can also play a part. Most people notice little at first; assessing scarring and managing diabetes, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol are central to determining health risks.

• There are often no symptoms for years, and fatty liver disease is discovered by chance during blood tests or imaging.
• Tiredness, reduced energy or a vague feeling of pressure in the upper right abdomen may occur, but these are not specific to fatty liver disease.
• Choose a sustainable eating pattern with vegetables, pulses, wholegrains and unsaturated fats, and few sugary drinks or highly processed foods.
• Increase physical activity gradually and break up long periods of sitting; if you have heart, joint or serious liver problems, agree a safe level with a healthcare professional.
• Make an appointment if liver blood tests are repeatedly abnormal, a scan shows a fatty liver, or you have risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and your risk of fibrosis has not yet been assessed.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.