Fatty liver

Wiki link said:

Fatty liver, also known as fatty liver disease (FLD), is a reversible condition where large vacuoles of triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells via the process of steatosis (i.e. abnormal retention of lipids within a cell). Despite having multiple causes, fatty liver can be considered a single disease that occurs worldwide in those with excessive alcohol intake and those who are obese

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Julia said:

Why do you assume you have 'fatty liver', further assuming such a peculiar condition actually were to exist?

Are you suggesting your swollen ankles are attributable to this 'fatty liver'?

How long since you have seen a doctor for a basic check-up?

Why would you post such a question on a stock forum if you haven't in fact consulted a doctor about your problems?

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derty said:

Fatty liver is quite common, it can be a reaction to liver stress from alcohol, obesity, haemochromatosis will produce organic iron crystals in the liver that irritate it which result in fat deposits forming and that eventually begins to create scarring and then cirrhosis.

As the liver is enclosed in a sheath that doesn't really expand, once the fat begins to accumulate you will feel it as a kind of pressure in your midsection.

I have an abnormally fatty liver, although I am quite fit and still play A-grade hockey at almost 42. My fatty liver is a result of a genetic disorder I have where I have a shortened apoB protein and as a result I have abnormal cholesterol levels. The fat deposits are a result of my body metabolising fat a bit differently. My condition is Familial Hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) and I have normal HDL cholesterol and virtually non-existant LDL cholesterol. It's not a bad disorder to have as I am at extremely low risk of heart disease and heart attack. I just have to watch my liver.

You might want your GP to run a few tests as the fatty liver may just be a symptom of a more wide ranging disorder.

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VITAMIN D AND LIVER DISEASE
Dr. Cannell:
Does taking a vitamin D-3 supplement of 5,000 IU per day affect liver functions tests such ALT, AST, bilirubin, etc.? I have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and my liver tests are now normal, the first time in ten years. Could it be the vitamin D?
Megan,
Florida

This topic is close to my heart as my wife was so diagnosed, had a liver biopsy, and told to expect progressive liver disease. The hepatologist even talked about a liver transplant well in the future, which scared us both to death. Her liver function tests first went down, then came close to normal, and are now low-normal on 5,000 IU per day! A single human study strongly supports this: Targher G, et al found decreased 25(OH)D concentrations were closely associated with the histological severity of hepatic steatosis, necroinflammation, and fibrosis, (P<0.001 for all) independent of other risk factors. They concluded that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients have a marked decrease in serum 25(OH)D concentrations, which is closely associated with severity of disease on liver biopsy. If you have liver disease, get your 25(OH)D above 70 ng/mL. If you do not have liver disease, do the same.

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