Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SymptomsAdvanced SymptomsComplicationsWhen to Get Medical Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Early Symptoms

Advanced Symptoms

Complications

When to Get Medical Help

Infatty liver disease(hepatic steatosis), fat builds up in your liver and can eventually cause problems with liver function. Over time, the disease can progress to life-threatening conditions such ascirrhosisandliver cancer.

Fatty liver disease comes in two forms. They aremetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), also called alcoholic steatohepatitis. These two types have different causes but similar results.

This article looks at early symptoms of fatty liver disease, how they progress to advanced symptoms, what complications may result, and when you should see a healthcare provider.

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A sad man in his kitchen at home

MASLD and AFLD are often called silent diseases because they have no or very few symptoms. Fatigue and liver discomfort (upper abdominal pain) are the earliest possible symptoms.

Usually, healthcare providers discover fatty liver disease due toabnormal liver enzyme testsdone for unrelated reasons.

Most people who have MASLD never go on to develop liver damage. However, if the fatty liver develops signs of inflammation and cellular damage, the condition is called metabolic dysfunction-associatedsteatohepatitis(MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH). At this stage, symptoms may include:

With the proper treatment and lifestyle changes, AFLD and MASH may be reversible. Recognizing these symptoms is important so your condition can be diagnosed and treated before you develop advanced symptoms.

Risk FactorsHeavy drinking, especially over an extended period, puts you at risk for AFLD.Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a diet high in fat and sugar may put you at risk for developing MASLD and MASH.

Risk Factors

Heavy drinking, especially over an extended period, puts you at risk for AFLD.Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a diet high in fat and sugar may put you at risk for developing MASLD and MASH.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

Both MASH and AFLD can progress to cirrhosis of the liver. The liver is badly scarred at this stage, and damage may no longer be reversible. However, you can take steps to prevent further damage.

Not everyone has noticeable symptoms, even at this stage. When there are symptoms, they may include:

You’ll notice more yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes as jaundice becomes more likely.

Leading Cause of DeathCirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease and one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States.

Leading Cause of Death

Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease and one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States.

How to Eat When You Have Cirrhosis

As liver damage increases, you may developcomplications of cirrhosis. These occur when your liver can no longer remove toxins from your blood. Possible complications are:

Some of these complications—such as cancer and hepatorenal syndrome—can be life-threatening.

If you have any symptoms that could point to fatty liver disease, MASH, or cirrhosis, take them seriously. This is especially important if you:

If you notice any symptoms, make an appointment with a healthcare provider.

Summary

Fatty liver disease generally has no obvious symptoms. Sometimes, it advances to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. You may have fatigue, weakness, and liver pain.

Cirrhosis can lead to nausea and vomiting, easy bruising and bleeding, and jaundice. Complications can be life-threatening. They include liver cancer, cognitive problems, and dysfunction of the lungs or kidneys.

Let your healthcare provider know about any of these symptoms that develop, especially if you’re at risk for fatty liver disease, MASH, or cirrhosis.

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9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.What is NAFLD?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of cirrhosis.National Health Service: Inform.Alcohol-related liver disease.Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, Madhoun MF.Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence-based treatment.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(18):5442-5460. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5442University of Miami Helath System: UHealth.Complications of cirrhosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatopulmonary syndrome.American Liver Foundation.Hepatorenal syndrome.Additional ReadingNational Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.What is NAFLD?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of cirrhosis.National Health Service: Inform.Alcohol-related liver disease.Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, Madhoun MF.Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence-based treatment.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(18):5442-5460. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5442University of Miami Helath System: UHealth.Complications of cirrhosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatopulmonary syndrome.American Liver Foundation.Hepatorenal syndrome.Additional ReadingNational Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.What is NAFLD?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of cirrhosis.National Health Service: Inform.Alcohol-related liver disease.Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, Madhoun MF.Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence-based treatment.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(18):5442-5460. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5442University of Miami Helath System: UHealth.Complications of cirrhosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatopulmonary syndrome.American Liver Foundation.Hepatorenal syndrome.

MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.What is NAFLD?

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of cirrhosis.

National Health Service: Inform.Alcohol-related liver disease.

Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, Madhoun MF.Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence-based treatment.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(18):5442-5460. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5442

University of Miami Helath System: UHealth.Complications of cirrhosis.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

American Liver Foundation.Hepatorenal syndrome.

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.

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