Excess body weight, elevated sugar levels, and blood pressure problems, along with higher ALT and AST readings, often prompt people to seek medical guidance to manage fatty liver disease. In an interview with Evening Moscow, hepatologist Natalya Trofimovskaya from the Fomin Clinic underscored that addressing these signals early can help prevent progression. She emphasized that awareness and timely evaluation are crucial when liver health is at risk, because fatty liver disease can progress silently without obvious symptoms at first.
The physician explained a key diagnostic criterion: more than 5 percent of liver tissue being replaced by fat characterizes fatty liver disease. She outlined the principal risk factors that elevate this likelihood, including a body mass index at or above 25 kg/m2, higher blood glucose levels, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These elements often cluster together, forming a metabolic risk profile that can set the stage for liver fat accumulation and related complications. When these factors are present, a clinician may pursue a comprehensive assessment that combines imaging, blood tests, and a review of lifestyle patterns to gauge the extent of fat infiltration and liver function.
She stressed that liver tests such as ALT and AST can rise for various reasons, so a hepatologist’s visit is especiallyimportant if these enzymes are elevated or if there is a family history of cirrhosis or serious liver disease. She also warned that changes seen on ultrasound or in blood work are not specific to a single condition; they require careful interpretation to exclude other diseases that could mimic fatty liver. There is also no single miracle treatment that can halt fibrosis progression or completely remove the risk of fatty liver disease, the doctor noted. Management hinges on a nuanced plan tailored to the individual, often centering on lifestyle adjustments and ongoing medical oversight to monitor liver health over time.
Trofimovskaya added that various factors can contribute to fatty liver disease, including infections with hepatitis viruses and, in some cases, alcohol overuse. She stressed that treatment is personalized, with the core approach typically rooted in meaningful lifestyle changes. This means adopting a balanced diet, regular physical activity, weight loss where appropriate, and careful management of glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels. In such a framework, pharmacologic options may be considered only when lifestyle interventions alone do not yield sufficient improvement, and always under a clinician’s guidance and monitoring.
Earlier statements from hepatologist Bakaev noted that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can occur in individuals who are not visibly overweight. This highlights the importance of screening and attentive evaluation for anyone showing risk factors or liver enzyme abnormalities, even if weight does not appear to be an obvious issue. In the broader context of liver health, recognizing all potential contributors—from metabolic factors to alcohol consumption and viral infections—helps ensure that patients receive a complete and accurate assessment. A proactive, informed approach is essential to slowing disease progression and preserving liver function over time.