How Is Fatty Liver Detected? Common Tests Listed

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also called fatty liver, is caused by the buildup of excess fats in the liver. Experts also call this condition metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This condition can usually be treated when diagnosed on time. However, when left undiagnosed for long, fatty liver can cause serious damage to the liver and other vital organs. 

In most cases, NAFLD doesn’t show any symptoms. Patients may know about this condition only when they take their annual blood tests or when doctors ask them to undergo blood tests for other issues. Read more to understand how is fatty liver detected.

How is Fatty Liver Detected

The diagnostic procedures for detecting NAFLD are:

Blood tests

• CBC (complete blood count)

• Iron analysis

• Tests to check the functionality of and the enzymes in the liver

• Chronic viral hepatitis blood tests

• Tests to check Celiac disease

• Blood sugar tests (fasting and postprandial tests)

• HbA1C (average haemoglobin tests)

• Lipid profile tests (fats, cholesterol levels, etc.)

Imaging Tests

• Abdominal scans – Recommended when doctors first spot liver disease symptoms in your reports

• MRI and CT scans – Mild conditions like liver fibrosis are clearly visible in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scans, making the diagnosis as accurate as possible.

• Transient elastography – One of the advanced methods of treatment followed by doctors today, these tests can measure your liver stiffness accurately. This helps to identify the extent of damage caused in your liver due to fibrosis or scarring.

• Magnetic resonance elastography – MRI scans and sound waves are used together in these tests to form an elastogram, which checks the overall stiffness of your body tissues.

Liver Biopsy

Doctors ask you to undergo a liver biopsy if your fatty liver symptoms are in the advanced stage. This report helps doctors with the exact extent of liver damage so that the treatment procedures can be decided accordingly.

Conclusion

NAFLD, if not treated on time, can lead to other painful and life-threatening ailments like liver cirrhosis, oesophageal varices and liver cancer. Hence, start your treatment as soon as you get your diagnosis confirmed.

Having a health insurance policy can cover costs for hospitalisation and treatment.

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