Fatty liver disease is a condition in which there is excess deposition of fat in the liver due to obesity or abnormal amounts of visceral fat. Although usually asymptomatic, some people may experience discomfort or pain in the right upper half of the abdomen, especially after exertion. Blood tests may be normal.
Dr. Akash Shukla, Director & Consultant, Department of Hepatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, explains that even slim people may have fatty liver on ultrasound, and there are four potential causes for this.
Firstly, alcohol consumption can cause fatty liver disease as alcohol is converted to fat very quickly in the liver. Secondly, a lack of large muscle mass can lead to a fatty liver as muscles burn fat as fuel for maintenance, and those who are thin and lean may have low muscle mass, leading to fat deposition in the liver that goes unutilized. Thirdly, genetic predisposition can also cause fatty liver, with some people more likely to develop severe liver disease and progress to liver cirrhosis and other complications. Lastly, fatty liver may not be non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but another condition such as hepatitis C, a metabolic disorder like Wilson’s disease, or a storage disorder like glycogen storage disorder, which can mimic fatty liver on ultrasound.
It is important to investigate the cause of fatty liver in slim people to prevent potential complications.
