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I Went To The Emergency Room Due To Stomach Pain.

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Posted on Sat, 15 Dec 2018
Question: I went to the emergency room due to stomach pain. I checked out fine, except they told me I had some fat in my liver. That may cause my liver function to fluctuate. My ALT is 42, AST: 31, Bilirubin:0.3. My glucose is 84. I'm very over weight, at 345. Please note, I drink very little alcohol. Is it possible to reverse or reduce the amount of fat in liver? My doctor communicated that it can lead cancer? I am 50 year old black male.
                                                       
                                                       
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss is the most important way.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I've checked the attached report.

The fatty liver disease is a very common cause of liver disease, often seen when an ultrasound is done of the liver.

The main treatment is weight loss, it is recommended to lose at least 5% of your body weight and then monitor your liver enzymes to make sure they go back to normal. It is also recommended to take medications to lower your cholesterol if your cholesterol is high and if you had diabetes to make sure it is under good control.

The fat in your liver can cause inflammation, which, over time, can lead to cirrhosis, and this can then increase your risk of liver cancer. But if you do not have cirrhosis now, which it sounds like you don't, then you would not be at increased risk for liver cancer yet.

I hope that helps, please feel free to ask any questions about that, I would be glad to answer.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aaron Branch (38 minutes later)
thanks for information. I've been told that a fatty liver can be reversed by diet changes and exercise. What are your thoughts on that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Absolutely

Detailed Answer:
Yes, with weight loss the fatty liver can be reversed and possibly would never be a problem. So I would highly encourage you, the more weight you can lose and the closer to an ideal body weight for you that you can get to, the better for your liver. Also, I forgot to mention, I would say it would be best if you stayed away from alcohol completely, at least until improvement is seen with your liver after losing weight.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aaron Branch (32 hours later)
Thanks for the information. My numbers appears to be in range via the report. What are your thoughts on on my numbers? Do you think they are high or elevated?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
Right now your liver enzymes look good, so that's a good sign. Losing some weight should also help to keep them in normal range. Typically we would monitor by checking labs every 3-6 months. If there were any concerns based on labs or ultrasound, there are also tests that can see if you liver is being damaged at all; if these tests are done (such as elastography), they are only done every several years.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Aaron Branch

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1223 Questions

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I Went To The Emergency Room Due To Stomach Pain.

Brief Answer: Weight loss is the most important way. Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service. I've checked the attached report. The fatty liver disease is a very common cause of liver disease, often seen when an ultrasound is done of the liver. The main treatment is weight loss, it is recommended to lose at least 5% of your body weight and then monitor your liver enzymes to make sure they go back to normal. It is also recommended to take medications to lower your cholesterol if your cholesterol is high and if you had diabetes to make sure it is under good control. The fat in your liver can cause inflammation, which, over time, can lead to cirrhosis, and this can then increase your risk of liver cancer. But if you do not have cirrhosis now, which it sounds like you don't, then you would not be at increased risk for liver cancer yet. I hope that helps, please feel free to ask any questions about that, I would be glad to answer. Regards