Fatty Liver

Q:  Can you please answer my question? I can't seem to get any answers from three doctors who have taken blood tests from me. They say I have fat on the liver. Where does this come from, and what kind of problems can this cause? The specialist said that as long as the liver is functioning, I need not worry. The problem is, I do want to know what can come from this.

A:  Fatty liver -- in which the liver cells become infiltrated with fat -- is not uncommon in this country. Chronic alcoholism is the most common cause, but obesity, adult-onset diabetes mellitus, and chronic diseases are also associated with increased liver fat.

The liver is an important organ because it makes body proteins and blood clotting factors and regulates blood glucose. It detoxifies (breaks down into harmless forms) many internal body chemicals and most medications that people take.

Most people with fatty liver have no symptoms, and blood tests of their liver are normal. Only in extreme cases will the liver stop working. Removal of alcohol or other offending substances, loss of weight, and correction of other problems can lead to disappearance of the fat in 4 to 8 weeks.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.