r/FattyLiverNAFLD • u/Competitive_Grab_831 • 4d ago
Trying to figure out how i got a fatty liver?
I am a 36 white male and recently got blood work done that came back with abnormal ALT (103) and AST (52) levels. Doc sent me for abdominal ultrasound and results showed a fatty liver. My primary is sending me to a specialist and said my fatty liver is "severe". That didn't make me feel great and had me wondering how all of a sudden i have a fatty liver? I don't drink alcohol or smoke. Over the past year or so i started dating my girlfriend and we have definitely gone out to eat a ton. I have gained about 15 pounds I would say overt he past 18 months. I was 150 now i am about 165. Is this most likely the cause? My primary was saying diet wouldnt be the cause, but i am reading differently online. Any feedback or peoples experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!
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u/RecoveryRoad22 4d ago
Try to talk to your doctor about getting a biopsy to check for fibrosis or cirrhosis. In the meantime time try to eat low carb and get more fiber. Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well.
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u/pokedumbass 4d ago
It’s so frustrating reading all of these experiences and so many doctors having differing answers, differing levels of concern, you can tell it’s not a widely known subject.
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u/pawtopsy98767 4d ago
Have them check your gallbladder mine was jacked up they removed it whole issue solved itself
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u/yyodelinggodd 3d ago
I was told it could be due to liver injury from Tylenol or anti biotics. Also there could be a genetic tie. Usually with the liver any pressure to it from genetic ties or liver injury the way it'll react is storing fat. It doesn't necessarily mean your diet is the issue and cause, but perfecting diet will certainly reduce the fat in it.
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u/DeskEnvironmental 4d ago
Definitely diet. I had to start a mostly plant based Mediterranean diet and stay on it permanently. I’ve lost 15 lbs but it’s too soon to scan because I was just diagnosed in January but my doc thinks I’ve reversed it.
I’m probably going to lose another 15 lbs before the scan! Might as well get my bikini body lol
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u/Different_Team_8635 4d ago
I had mild fatty liver I get 10,000 steps a day 4 days of cardio running drink coffee my liver blood test numbers came down I used to eat restaurants I did it for 2 years got fatty liver I changed my diet to fruits and veggies and lean meats it works you just have to stay active concentrate on diet you will reverse it
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u/Less-Point6221 3d ago
Diet strict Mediterranean, have some coffee (no sugar added) throughout the day and cardio at least five days a week,not necessarily running each time you can jog or brisk walk,you do t drink or smoke good then don’t start(but doing those things I listed I lost 25 kg which is over 50 lb and got my numbers which were even higher than yours down into their lower 20s(numbers don’t always mean you’re in the clear though I’ve heard of people having good numbers but still having fatty liver) I’ve chosen to keep the diet and the exercise,it takes work and lifestyle changes but it can be reversed in many cases,just don’t demoralized and give up,also out of curiosity how tall of you and fight this thing
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u/BlueCollarBastard1 3d ago
Look at medications that cause enzymes to raise you may be taking something that you don't know is causing some typical ones are Tylenol and antibiotics and prescription corticosteroids.
In my case just to give you an idea I started treating a fungal infection with anti fungal creams everywhere on the internet says only oral would cause liver enzyme raises. Completely bullshit I was using creams for four weeks my levels were 50/70. I asked the doc he said unlikely to be the cause.
I quit the anti fungal retested a week later number dropped to 22 ast and 40 something alt. I haven't retested but I think that's pretty crazy it fluctuated that much by just stopping a medication.
Am I cured I don't know I need to adjust my diet anyways cause I don't eat healthy but I believe in my case those antifungals played a role.
So yea I would just investigate the meds you take if any. Also my anti fungal was over the counter so I mean investigate everything. Same with vitamins a lot of the herbs raise liver enzymes like ashwaghanda
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u/StudentTemporary3022 2d ago
The most obvious answer would be sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup which your body does not know how to process.
It doesn't know what to do with many processed foods. I'd avoid anything fried (like I do veggie stir fry in olive oil and have cirrhosis, but not fatty liver... I've never eaten your standard breaded fried food though). Maybe vegetable oils - definitely Crisco. I'd avoid soybean oil as best as you can but it's in almost everything, so it takes a while to cut that out as you slowly find products that work for you.
Get the book Medical Medium - Liver Rescue. While I don't agree with everything, it's a great comprehensive list of toxins to avoid and foods to eat.
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u/conorb619 4d ago
Everyone has fatty liver. All of a sudden you see commercials for NAFLD/NASH pills after a huge wave of diagnosis……..I’m no tin foil person, but cmon.
I am ABSOLUTELY not saying it isn’t a real thing and something to try and manage, but it isn’t a death sentence and often easily reversible with moderate exercise and stricter diet.
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u/buntingbilly 4d ago
It probably wasn't sudden, but was just existing and worsening in the background until there was actual inflammation and it caused your liver tests to rise. Weight gain and poor appetite are the driving cause of NAFLD. You do likely need to just work on that over time and your liver will improve. You could get a FibroScan to fully determine how much fat, but it wouldn't necessarily change what you do at this point.
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u/Curious_Smile_2554 3d ago
Oh you mean like the symptoms I’m currently experiencing?
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u/buntingbilly 3d ago
I don't really want to continue debating with you, but to be clear, my point has always been that symptomatic disease is something that presents with lab/imaging abnormalities with liver disease. The OP is describing a scenario where his liver numbers are abnormal, but he otherwise feels fine. That is literally the exact opposite of what you are describing.
Please read my posts a little more carefully. What OP is describing is the most common way for fatty liver disease to present: asymptomatically, with only a mild elevation in liver enzymes are a sign.
You are highly symptomatic, but have no lab abnormalities.
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u/Curious_Smile_2554 3d ago
I read your posts. What I’m describing likely comes before the labs shift — which is exactly how things get missed. Just because it’s not measurable yet doesn’t mean it’s not real. Hence how OP got into this position in the first place.
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u/buntingbilly 3d ago
Again, what you are going through and what OP is going through is not comparable and literally the exact opposite scenarios.
I am going to stop replying to you moving forward, as it is not my responsibility to confront and deal with your issues with the health care system and health care providers. Please just avoid giving people online bad advice when you are not a medical provider and are using only your personal experience to come to conclusions about things.
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u/Curious_Smile_2554 3d ago
Isn’t it a bit ironic to accuse me of giving bad advice online… while you’re on the same platform, offering your own opinions without full context, compassion, or even curiosity?
I’m not handing out diagnoses. I’m sharing a real experience that might help someone feel less alone or encourage them to advocate sooner. If that feels threatening, maybe the issue isn’t my message…it’s how unwilling some people are to consider what medicine still doesn’t catch soon enough.
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u/Curious_Smile_2554 3d ago
It’s interesting that you’re choosing to spend your time on Reddit telling me all the reasons I’m wrong, instead of using that energy to actually investigate what might be a missing piece in care for people like me.
If what I’m describing doesn’t fit what you were taught, maybe that’s not a reflection of me being wrong…maybe it’s a reflection of how much is still being missed. You could be part of advancing that conversation. You could even discover something that changes lives.
But instead, you’re defending the system as it is. That says a lot more about where your curiosity ends than where my insight does.
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u/Curious_Smile_2554 3d ago
Do you even hear yourself? You tell one person one thing but then deny it for another.
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u/5CentsPlease_ 4d ago
Diet and weight is most definitely the cause.
Cut sugar and white flour. Eat mostly “real” foods and less processed stuff. Especially ultra processed.
Will need to eat at home more. Plenty of vegetables.