10 Questions I Asked My Doctor After Being Told I Might Have Fatty Liver Disease
Printable Checklist to Bring to your Doctor
I remember sitting in the exam room, still processing what my doctor had just told me:
“Your blood work shows elevated liver enzymes, and the ultrasound came back showing signs of fatty infiltration in your liver.”
I didn’t even know what that meant at first. I had heard of fatty liver disease in passing, but I never thought it would be something I’d have to deal with. I don’t drink heavily. I thought my labs were “a little off” but nothing serious.
So I did what anyone would do, I started asking questions. Some were basic. Some were hard. All of them helped me get a clearer picture of what was happening to my body.
If you’re in the same spot I was in, confused, worried, googling things late at night, here are the top 10 questions I asked my doctor (and why each one mattered).
1. Is this non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or is there another cause?
This was my first question, because I wanted to understand the type of fatty liver I had. My doctor explained that NAFLD means there's fat in the liver not caused by alcohol and it’s actually super common, especially if you’re overweight, have high cholesterol, or are dealing with insulin resistance. But they still had to rule out other causes like hepatitis, certain medications, or rare genetic conditions. I wanted to know exactly what I was dealing with.
2. How serious is it right now is there inflammation or scarring?
I quickly learned that not all fatty liver is the same. Some people just have fat in the liver (simple steatosis), but others have inflammation or even early scarring (which can lead to cirrhosis). My doctor said they’d need more tests maybe an MRI or FibroScan to figure out if I had progressed to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). This helped me mentally prepare for what might come next.
3. What caused this in my case?
Was it my weight? My diet? Genetics? Medications? I wanted to know what I could change and what I couldn’t. My doctor walked me through my risk factors: I had borderline high blood sugar, a bit of belly fat, and I’d been sedentary lately. The good news? Most of the factors were lifestyle-based, which meant I had some control.
4. Can it be reversed?
I asked this one a little nervously. I needed hope. Thankfully, the answer was ye, if I caught it early and made the right changes. My doctor explained that losing even 5-10% of my body weight could start reversing the fat in my liver. I remember feeling a huge wave of relief.
5. What changes should I make starting today?
I didn’t want vague advice. I asked for specifics. My doctor said to cut back on added sugars and refined carbs (especially soda, white bread, pastries), increase my physical activity, and try to eat more whole foods, veggies, lean protein, fiber. They also suggested I aim for at least 30 minutes of walking a day. Nothing crazy. Just consistent.
6. What do I need to track at home?
This one helped me take responsibility. I started checking my weight weekly. I bought a food scale and tracked what I ate. My doctor also said to keep an eye on my waist circumference and blood pressure, since both are tied to liver health. I also got a smart scale that tracked visceral fat and body composition, it was actually kind of motivating.
7. Do I need more tests like a FibroScan, MRI, or biopsy?
After the ultrasound, my doctor said more precise tests could show whether there was inflammation or fibrosis (scarring). A FibroScan is non-invasive and measures liver stiffness, which gives a better sense of damage. A biopsy was only necessary in more serious or unclear cases. I didn’t need one yet, but asking this helped me understand what might come next.
8. Are there any medications or supplements that help or hurt?
I asked this because I was already taking a multivitamin and had heard things online about milk thistle, vitamin E, and even coffee being helpful. My doctor told me to avoid any supplements unless we discussed them first, especially if they affect the liver. But they did say coffee (black, no sugar) might actually help slow progression. That was a win.
My favorite brand of coffee that I drink to help me with my fatty liver diagnosis.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Dark Magic Coffee, Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup pods, Dark Roast, 96 Count
9. How often should we monitor this?
I didn’t want to just forget about it until it got worse. My doctor recommended checking my liver enzymes again in 3–6 months, along with a follow-up scan depending on how my weight and labs responded. Having a timeline made it feel manageable, like a project I could take control of, rather than some scary mystery in my body.
10. What happens if I ignore it?
This one was hard to ask but I needed the truth. If I ignored it, my liver could go from fatty to inflamed to scarred. Over years, it could lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer. That scared me. But it also lit a fire under me. I realized this wasn’t about just a few pounds or a diet, this was about my life.
Final Thoughts
Getting told I had fatty liver disease was a wake-up call. It forced me to ask hard questions, but those questions gave me answers, and those answers gave me direction.
If you’ve just gotten the same news, take a breath. You’re not alone. This condition is surprisingly common, and for many people (including me), it’s reversible. But don’t ignore it. Be proactive. Talk to your doctor. Ask questions. Write them down. Take notes.
The earlier you take action, the better your liver and your life will thank you.
Below, you will find a printable checklist to keep and utilize when speaking to your doctor.
