Fatty liver symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and lighter-colored stools. However, fatty liver is often asymptomatic in the early stages, and many people do not know they have it.
Fatty liver, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) when it is not caused by alcohol, is often found during routine blood tests or imaging exams. When symptoms do develop, they are usually mild and can occur as liver damage progresses.
A healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, imaging tests, or, in some cases, a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment typically focuses on weight loss, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Main symptoms
The main fatty liver symptoms can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme tiredness
- Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
- Persistent headache
- Abdominal bloating
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Whitish stools
In the early stages, fatty liver usually does not cause noticeable signs or symptoms. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, fatty liver disease is often considered a silent condition. As the condition progresses and liver damage develops, symptoms may start to appear.
Online symptom checker
If you’re worried you might have fatty liver, select the symptoms you’re experiencing to check your risk:
The symptom checker is only a guidance tool. It does not provide a diagnosis or replace an evaluation by a healthcare provider.
When to see a doctor
If symptoms suggestive of fatty liver are present, it is important to see a primary care provider, gastroenterologist, or hepatologist so that tests can be done to evaluate the liver and confirm the diagnosis.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, doctors may use blood tests, imaging tests, and sometimes liver biopsy to diagnose fatty liver disease. These may include liver enzyme levels, such as AST and ALT, bilirubin, an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, and/or MRI.
To relieve symptoms and treat fatty liver, a healthcare provider may recommend dietary changes, regular physical activity, weight loss, and management of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.