Q. What is the fatty liver disease?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, happens when fat builds up in your liver. Now, a little bit of fat in the liver is normal. But when it goes overboard, it can lead to some serious issues.
There are two main types of fatty liver disease: alcoholic fatty liver disease (caused by excessive alcohol consumption) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is more common and not related to alcohol.
NAFLD usually develops in people who are overweight or have other health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. When too much fat accumulates in the liver cells, it can lead to inflammation and damage.
Here's where liver function tests (LFTs) come into play. These tests help doctors assess how well your liver is working by measuring the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood. When there's liver damage, these levels can be higher than normal. So, LFTs can clue your doctor in on whether your liver is healthy or if there's a problem brewing.
Some common liver function tests include measuring levels of enzymes like alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). High levels of these enzymes can indicate liver inflammation or damage.
Other tests like checking bilirubin levels and albumin levels can also give insights into liver health. Bilirubin is a waste product produced by the liver, and high levels can suggest liver problems. Albumin is a protein made by the liver, and low levels might indicate liver damage or disease.
If your LFT results show abnormalities, your doctor might order further tests like imaging studies (like ultrasound or MRI) or a liver biopsy to get a closer look at what's going on inside your liver.
It's important to catch fatty liver disease early because, if left untreated, it can progress to more serious conditions like liver cirrhosis or even liver failure. So, if you're concerned about your liver health or if you have risk factors for fatty liver disease, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor and get those liver function tests done.
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