Fatty liver and liver disorders
Fatty liver means extra fat has built up inside the liver. It is very common, often found by chance on an ultrasound, and is closely linked to extra weight, diabetes, high cholesterol and alcohol. Most people have no symptoms, but in some the fat causes inflammation and scarring that can slowly lead to cirrhosis. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das finds the cause, checks how much the liver is affected, and builds a plan to protect it.
At a glance
- New name: fatty liver linked to weight, sugar or cholesterol is now called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), earlier called NAFLD
- How common: studies suggest about 1 in 3 adults in India has fatty liver
- Main causes: extra weight around the waist, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, alcohol, some medicines, rapid weight loss, hepatitis B or C
- What matters most: not the fat itself but whether there is scarring (fibrosis)
- At Medcare: consultation, body composition, sugar and HbA1c, review of ultrasound and blood tests, fibrosis risk scoring, and a plan
- Main treatment: gradual weight loss, better sugar control, less alcohol, activity
Grades on ultrasound, explained
An ultrasound report may say grade 1, 2 or 3 fatty liver. This shows how much fat is seen, but it does not show scarring, which is what predicts future liver problems. A grade 1 report can still hide scarring, and a grade 3 report may not have any. That is why further assessment matters.
What happens at Medcare
- History. Weight change, alcohol, medicines, family history, diabetes, and symptoms such as tiredness or upper right abdominal discomfort.
- Examination. Weight, waist, body composition, BP, and signs of liver disease.
- Tests. Liver function, blood count, sugar, cholesterol and hepatitis tests at a lab of your choice. A simple score called FIB-4, calculated from routine blood tests, estimates scarring risk.
- Further checks when needed. If the score is not low, Dr. Das may advise a liver stiffness scan (elastography) at a centre that offers it, or a specialist opinion.
- Plan. Weight, food, activity, alcohol advice, and control of diabetes, cholesterol and BP. Heart risk is also assessed, because people with fatty liver more often die of heart disease than of liver disease.
- Follow-up. Liver tests and scores rechecked to see progress.
- History. Weight change, alcohol, medicines, family history, diabetes, and symptoms such as tiredness or upper right abdominal discomfort.
- Examination. Weight, waist, body composition, BP, and signs of liver disease.
- Tests. Liver function, blood count, sugar, cholesterol and hepatitis tests at a lab of your choice. A simple score called FIB-4, calculated from routine blood tests, estimates scarring risk.
- Further checks when needed. If the score is not low, Dr. Das may advise a liver stiffness scan (elastography) at a centre that offers it, or a specialist opinion.
- Plan. Weight, food, activity, alcohol advice, and control of diabetes, cholesterol and BP. Heart risk is also assessed, because people with fatty liver more often die of heart disease than of liver disease.
- Follow-up. Liver tests and scores rechecked to see progress.
Protecting your liver
- Lose weight gradually: even 5% helps, and 7% to 10% can reduce inflammation and scarring
- Cut sugary drinks, sweets and refined flour; reduce rice portions
- Eat more vegetables, dal, fish and whole grains
- Walk briskly 30 minutes on most days and add strength exercise
- Avoid alcohol, or keep it to a minimum as advised
- Do not take herbal or "liver tonic" products without advice; some can harm the liver
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B if not already protected
When to see a doctor urgently
Seek urgent care if you notice yellow eyes or skin, vomiting blood, black stools, a swelling belly, confusion or excessive drowsiness, or severe pain in the upper right abdomen with fever.
FAQs
Is fatty liver serious?
For most people, fatty liver is a warning sign rather than an immediate danger. In some it causes inflammation and scarring, which can progress over years to cirrhosis. It also raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Checking for scarring and treating the cause is what keeps it from becoming serious.
Can fatty liver go away?
Yes, in many people the fat reduces and liver tests improve with gradual weight loss, better sugar control and avoiding alcohol. Losing about 7% to 10% of body weight can reduce inflammation and even some scarring. Regular follow-up shows how the liver is responding.
I am thin. Can I still have fatty liver?
Yes. Many Indians have fatty liver at a normal body weight, often because of fat around the waist, low muscle, diabetes or high triglycerides. This is sometimes called lean fatty liver and needs the same careful assessment.
Are there medicines for fatty liver?
Lifestyle change is the main treatment. Some medicines used for diabetes or weight can also help the liver, and newer treatments exist for selected people with scarring. Dr. Das will advise if a medicine suits you. Be careful with unproven liver tonics and supplements.
Should I stop eating oil completely?
No. You need some fat in your diet. Reduce deep-fried food and use measured amounts of cooking oil. Cutting sugar, sweet drinks and large portions of rice usually helps the liver more than cutting oil alone.
Sources
- Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL), guidance on MASLD
- AASLD and EASL multi-society statement on steatotic liver disease nomenclature, 2023
Related care
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.