Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Currently, the goal of treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients who are obese and/or have elevated blood lipids (fat) is weight loss. Those who are diabetic with poor control of blood sugar should work with a diabetes specialist and dietitian to control their blood sugar. All patients with NAFLD should avoid alcohol.

It is important to note that the treatment for NAFLD is evolving and rigorously being investigated in various research studies. UCSF is participating in one of the larger trials investigating NAFLD and new therapies for the condition.

Liver Transplantation

In some cases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may progress to liver failure and requires liver transplantation. The UCSF Liver Transplant Program, which integrates the efforts of gastroenterologists and surgeons, performs over 100 transplants each year, making it one of the leading programs in the U.S. Survival statistics are among the very best in the country. The evaluation for a transplant is complex and generally requires several months. Therefore, even patients who are feeling well should be referred for a transplant at the first sign of liver failure or if they have advanced liver disease diagnosed by X-ray studies or liver biopsy.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007