Ms. Linh, who has a history of thyroid disease, was diagnosed with fatty liver. Doctor Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Pancreatology at Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, attributes this to a pre-existing metabolic disorder (thyroid disease) combined with an unhealthy lifestyle, leading to increased fat accumulation in her liver. When the body absorbs too much alcohol or excess calories, fat accumulates in liver cells.

Currently, there is no specific medication for treating fatty liver disease; the primary treatment involves lifestyle changes. Ms. Linh needed to stabilize her thyroid disease and manage co-existing metabolic disorders. After more than three months of monitoring, her metabolic indicators improved, and her fatty liver condition showed a decreasing trend.

According to Doctor Khanh, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) previously primarily affected middle-aged individuals. However, in recent years, the disease has shown a trend of affecting younger demographics. While many cases are linked to being overweight or obese, some individuals with a normal BMI, such as Ms. Linh, still develop the condition.

Medical staff operate an automated biochemical testing system to analyze blood indicators related to fatty liver disease. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

The causes of NAFLD are closely linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes sedentary habits, excessive calorie intake, and high consumption of sweets, carbonated drinks, and fast food, often with insufficient vegetable intake. Habits like alcohol consumption, staying up late, and chronic stress also contribute to fat accumulation in the liver and promote inflammation. Young individuals with untreated underlying conditions such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, or polycystic ovary syndrome face a higher risk of developing NAFLD.

Doctor Khanh advises everyone to adopt healthy habits for long-term health protection. These include eating a balanced diet, increasing the intake of green vegetables and fiber, limiting fried foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol, and quitting smoking to support liver recovery. Maintaining exercise for at least 150 minutes per week helps the body burn energy and prevent fat accumulation. Weight management is a key factor in preventing fatty liver disease. However, individuals with an average BMI should not be complacent; regular health check-ups at least once a year are crucial to detect abnormalities and receive timely treatment.

A diagnosis of fatty liver disease is made if the amount of fat accounts for over 5-10% of liver weight. The condition comprises two main types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In its early stages, the disease causes minimal liver damage and often presents no clear symptoms. However, it can silently progress over many years, potentially developing into steatohepatitis (estimated in 10% of cases), which significantly increases the risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Ly Nguyen

*Patient's name has been changed