Fatty Liver Disease

WHO CAN I TALK TO FOR MORE INFO?

HOW DO I TREAT A FATTY LIVER?

If you think you might have fatty liver, talk to your GP who can refer you to liver clinics or dietitians for appropriate management. The Hepatitis SA Helpline can give you details of liver clinics, nurses or hepatitis-friendly GPs who can help you. Ring 1800 437 222 during working hours on weekdays.

Fortunately, there are ways to treat a fatty liver and reduce the problems it causes. The exact treatment depends on the underlying cause.

For example, for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who have no evidence of inflammation, gradual weight loss is often the only treatment needed. In more serious cases, medications that decrease insulin resistance or fat cell development, and those that induce weight loss have been shown to improve liver function.

If the fatty liver was caused by hepatitis C, highly effective drugs with close to 100% cure rate can rid the virus and allow your liver to recover.

Hepatitis SA

Ph (08) 8362 8443 Fax (08) 8362 8559 3 Hackney Rd Hackney SA 5069 PO Box 782 Kent Town SA 5071 www.hepsa.asn.au

Last update: May 2019 SA Health has contributed funds towards this Program.

Fatty Liver Disease

WHAT IS IT? Fatty liver disease is the unhealthy build-up of fats in liver cells. It most commonly develops in people who are overweight, or who have diabetes. It can also be caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol. People living with hepatitis C are also at risk, and it is especially common for those living with genotype 3 of hepatitis C. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease in Australia. Roughly 30% of Australian adults are thought to be affected by it. Its prevalence is also significantly rising in Australia. This is likely related to poor quality nutrition with too much saturated fats, refined sugars and processed foods.

A fatty liver, by itself, rarely leads to severe liver damage. However, the associated causes (such as obesity, hepatitis, diabetes or excess alcohol) can lead to further liver damage.

Stages of Liver Disease

It is not clear why fats start to build up in the liver but high levels of cholesterol or blood fats (known as triglycerides) can contribute.

The liver is the main organ for processing nutrients and waste, including fats. Excess calories are turned into fat and stored in the liver cells. That is why obesity can be a problem.

The amount of fat in the liver may decrease when overweight people lose weight, when people with diabetes have well-controlled blood sugars, and when cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lowered.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN? A fatty liver can become inflamed over time. Fatty liver inflammation is known as steatohepatitis. This is usually split into two types—alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)— depending on the cause. Inflammation is dangerous because it can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). This scar tissue makes the liver stiff and damages its ability to function properly. It may also lead to liver cancer. In addition, people who have fatty liver disease have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

HOW DO I TELL IF I HAVE A FATTY LIVER? Most people with fatty liver do not have obvious symptoms although symptoms may be more obvious in those who also have hepatitis C. Some people may complain of fatigue or malaise, and dull abdominal pain.

Although rare, mild jaundice—a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to liver waste products—may develop.

More often, fatty liver is discovered accidentally through tests for other medical conditions. Ultrasound or Fibroscan tests, which use inaudible sound or tiny shockwaves to measure the health of the liver, can also be used to diagnose fatty liver disease. Sometimes a liver biopsy, where a sample of tissue is taken with a long needle through the abdomen, may be needed to properly measure the extent of the disease.

A non-invasive Fibroscan test