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Fatty Liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver disease and can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Find out more about fatty liver and diabetes, and other causes of fatty liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease where excess fat is deposited in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. It can range from “good fat” or simple fat to “bad fat” or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver

NAFLD usually does not cause symptoms. If symptoms are present, it may be non-specific symptoms such as tiredness, nausea and discomfort over the right upper abdomen. However, if NAFLD progress to cirrhosis, signs and symptoms of cirrhosis may appear.

Causes of Fatty Liver Disease

diabetes
obesity (BMI > 25 in Asian people)
increased belly fat (central obesity), where the waistline exceeds 90cm in Asian men or 80cm Asian women
cholesterol problems
hypertension (high blood pressure)
metabolic syndrome
other associated conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), underactive pituitary (hypopituitary)

Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease

NAFLD is diagnosed by a combination of history, physical examination, blood tests and imaging studies of the liver.

liver function tests may show elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans may show fatty liver
other blood tests may be needed to predict severity of disease or exclude other liver diseases
liver biopsy may be required to determine the stage of the disease