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Suggest Treatment For Liver Fibrosis In An Obese Person

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016
Question: Hello. I am a 40 year old male. I weigh 263 lbs (currently losing because my nerves are tore up and I cannot eat). I have been having some back pain for two weeks. Thought it was gallbladder. My GI doc determined it was nonalcoholic fatty liver. I am overweight. He did a Fibrasure blood test and said I have F1-F2 fibrosis. He said it was Minimal fibrosis. Put me on a low fat diet and wants me to lose weight. I am scared to death. Can this be reversed or controlled. I have two beautiful children and wife I want to spend many years with. I am a pharmacist and learned in 2006 in school that fibrosis is a domino effect. In other words, it will continue to progress into cirrhosis. Can this be controlled if I do exactly what he says?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it can be controlled

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

since you haven't mentioned any significantly abnormal lab results I suppose that there weren't any. F1-F2 fibrosis is minimal as you already know. While fibrosis' reversal is considered to be doubtful at best, fatty liver can be reversed with proper diet and weight loss. Controlling your body weight should be your main target. A dietitian and a progressive physical activity program will serve you well. The progression of fibrosis depends on its cause. If you remove the cause then no progression is expected...

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
Thank you so much for your answer. I guess I am just worried that this will progress to cirrhosis. I do specifically remember a graduate school professor saying once collagen fibrosis occurs, it only will progress to cirrhosis. I will definitely stick to diet and exercise. My question is if fat is the cause and weight loss occurs, I should not worry about cirrhosis. Also, is the best diet a low fat low carb diet?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
whatever works is the best!

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!

Fibrosis progresses when there is an underlying process that fuels it. The fat is the fuel. Loosing weight will help a lot.

You shouldn't worry about cirrhosis provided that you do loose the extra weight. Whatever diet works is the best. Remember that you should be able to continue this diet for life, so you'd better choose an acceptable (by you) kind of diet. Alcohol consumption should be minimized, fruits and vegetables should be consumed every day, you should avoid sugar and saturated fat and try to - gradually - increase your physical activity.

Good luck!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Liver Fibrosis In An Obese Person

Brief Answer: it can be controlled Detailed Answer: Hello, since you haven't mentioned any significantly abnormal lab results I suppose that there weren't any. F1-F2 fibrosis is minimal as you already know. While fibrosis' reversal is considered to be doubtful at best, fatty liver can be reversed with proper diet and weight loss. Controlling your body weight should be your main target. A dietitian and a progressive physical activity program will serve you well. The progression of fibrosis depends on its cause. If you remove the cause then no progression is expected... I hope it helps! Kind Regards!