HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Is Vitamin E And Fish Oil Effective In Prevention Of Scaring Of Liver?

Posted on Fri, 6 Jun 2014

Question: hello, I have a fatty liver because of 65 pounds overweight. I also cannot exercise because my back goes out just doing 2 or three dishes in the kitchen sink. With my fatty liver I also have abnormal liver function tests possibly from too many meds at beyond the fda XXXXXXX but I need those dosages being a fast/rapid metabolizer (tests have found). My albulum/gubulum ratio is elevated, and my ALT was 36 last January now 6 months later it is double, 70. I have to take 3,000 mg of Tylenol for extreme back pain and also baclofen for muscle spasms q.d. I may switch to Advil 1,600mg q.d. to replace the tylenol. My gastro dr. who is monitoring my liver function and fatty liver has prescribed over the counter Vitamin E, massive dosages, 800 q.d. and Fish oil 1,200mg twice a day = 2,400mg fish oil q.d. with 600mg of EPA (Omega 3 acid) twice a day = 1,200mg EPA (omega 3 oil q.d.) included to try to help my liver function better. Is the Vitamin E 800 a day high enough and the 2,400mg of fish oil/1,200mg EPA (omega 3 oil) enough to help my fatty liver and prevent more liver scaring and inflamation? Is there any other prescription or over the counter things I should be taking to get my liver function more normal? I was taking NAC (N-acytlecysteine) 600mg a day before I started the fish oil and Vitamin E prescribed by gastro dr, but gastro doctor said NOT to take the NAC any more "because it could make my liver worse in long run." Also, gastro dr. said NOT to take any milk thistle, "liver detox herbs" either. So, since I cannot exercise without my back going out, should Fish oil/EPA (omega 3) be increased, should I try prescription omega 3 fish oil like Epanova or Lovaza and what benefit would those have and side effects compared to over the counter fish oil; should Vitamin E be increased; and what other meds or over the counter supplements should I consider to get ALT down, lowered and my albumum/gubulum ratio back down to normal? Last, how serious is having high ALT of 70 and albulum/gubulum ratio too high and fatty liver being that I am only 39 years of age?
Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:

Hi,
Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern.
You have hypertension, dyslipidemia, hepatitis (drug induced with possibly fat in liver related).
I guess the dose of vitamin E, fish oil adequate.
We know it helps but no once can say surely how much effective they are in prevention of scaring of liver over years. Possibly they may reduce the rate of it.
Other drug that will help your liver is ursodeoxy cholic acid (UDCA) which you can take after consulting your gastro.
I am not sure whether it is available over the counter.
I think fish oil, vitamin E and UDCA should suffice in existing doses. I suggest do not take herbal or over the counter non approved drugs. Reduce weight if you are overweight by cutting down on your calorie intake.
Well the seriousness of your problem can be predicted by liver biopsy only or other non invasive test like fibroscan might help but these need to be done after consulting your gastro only.
Need to reduce doses of analgesics and avoid advil as far as possible.
Hope this answers your query.
Wish you a speedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (3 days later)

Dear Dr. Deshmukh,

Hello,
If I need back surgery, another fusion of my spine--L-5/s-1 done, I would need powerful pain meds like morphine at first then Percoset (oxycodon/tylenol) and hydrocodone/tylenol. Would this be ok if I have a liver ALT of 70 right now? Should I instead use Vicoprofen (hydrocodon with Advil) and Percoset instead because of my liver. Thank you! XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:

Hi
Thank you for the query.
Opioids like morphine, oxycodone or hydrocodone should not be a problem in presence of mild rise in ALT in absence of severe liver disease like cirrhosis.
Avoid opioids in long run for the risk of dependence and addiction.

Hope this answers your query.
Thank you
Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D