“Can long term diabetes affect my liver functioning?”
I have been suffering from diabetes for the past 12 years, and have been managing it, somewhat well. It took a lot getting used to. I know diabetes may impact kidney. But, could it also impact my liver in anyway? I'm just curious.
4 Answers
Diabetes can have an impact on multiple body organs, including the liver. One of the most common conditions I see in my patients with diabetes is NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) which I routinely test for.
Yes, diabetes type 2 in the presence of excess calories both carbohydrates and fat along with insulin may result in fatty liver. Severe degrees of fatty infiltration of the liver can lead to cirrhosis and its complications. Prevention of fatty liver involves restriction of fat and carbohydrate intake, weight loss, avoidance of alcohol, control of blood sugar, B vitamins, and, recently, the use of victoza.
Respectfully,
Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE
Respectfully,
Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE
Diabetes doesn’t effect liver but obesity that often co-exist with type 2 diabetes can lead to fatty liver and inflammation of the liver manifested by increased liver enzymes.
Hope this helps.
Dr Marina Strizhevsky
Hope this helps.
Dr Marina Strizhevsky
Yes diabetes can impact the liver. The most common way is the formation of fat in the liver, called Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL). The fat can enlarge the liver and cause sclerosis or scaring. The sclerosis is not reversible but the fatty liver is by tighter control of the blood sugar. Strive for the best control you can achieve without significant hypoglycemia. Good luck!
