🧠 Fatty Liver: What You Need to Know – Internist family PCP doctor Georgetown TX

Your liver works hard every day to keep you healthy — but sometimes fat can silently build up inside it, leading to a condition called fatty liver. Many people don’t even know they have it until it shows up on blood work or an ultrasound.

At Wellness Bay Primary Care, our goal is to catch these silent signs early and guide you with kindness and clarity. If you’re searching for a trusted Internist family PCP doctor Georgetown TX, we’re here to help.

🍔 What Is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver happens when extra fat accumulates in your liver cells. There are two main types:

• NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease): Fat buildup not caused by alcohol

• AFLD (Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease): Caused by heavy alcohol intake

If left untreated, fatty liver can progress to inflammation, scarring, and in rare cases, cirrhosis.

❓ What Causes Fatty Liver?

There’s no single cause, but risk factors include:

• Being overweight or obese

• Diabetes or insulin resistance

• High cholesterol or triglycerides

• Poor diet (especially sugary or processed foods)

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Certain medications (e.g., steroids, tamoxifen)

• Excess alcohol (in AFLD)

  
  

🔬 Pathophysiology (What’s Happening Inside?)

Fat accumulates in liver cells, making it harder for your liver to do its job. Over time, this can lead to:

• Oxidative stress (liver cell damage)

• Inflammation (called NASH – non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)

• Fibrosis (scarring)

• Eventually, cirrhosis in severe cases

That’s why early lifestyle changes matter so much.

🔎 How Is It Diagnosed? by Internist family PCP doctor Georgetown TX

You may not feel symptoms early on — that’s why we screen for it during your checkups at our Georgetown TX family medical clinic.

Common investigations:

• Liver function tests (AST, ALT)

• Ultrasound or FibroScan

• MRI or CT scan (in select cases)

• Liver biopsy (if needed for advanced staging)

• Blood tests for associated conditions (cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.)

  
  

💊 Treatment Options: What Can Be Done?

There’s no magic pill, but great results can be achieved through:

✅ Medical Treatments

• Treating underlying causes: diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity

• Vitamin E (in select cases)

• Weight loss medications (in appropriate patients)

• Regular monitoring by your internist in Georgetown TX

🌿 Natural & Home-Based Approaches

• Exercise: Aim for 30 mins/day of walking, biking, or swimming

• Healthy eating: Mediterranean-style diet, high in fruits, veggies, lean protein

• Avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks

• Weight loss: 5–10% reduction in body weight can reverse fatty liver

• Avoid alcohol

• Liver-supportive supplements (ask us first): Milk thistle, omega-3s, or berberine (if appropriate)

  
  

💬 When to See a Doctor

Please reach out if:

• Your liver enzymes are elevated

• You’re overweight or diabetic

• You have fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or yellowing skin (jaundice)

• You’re on long-term medications

• You want to prevent long-term liver issues proactively

We're here to support you with personalized care, not blame.

❓ Top 10 FAQs – Fatty Liver

💭 Is fatty liver reversible?

Yes! With proper diet and lifestyle changes, it can often be reversed — especially in early stages.

💭 Do I need a liver biopsy?

Most people don’t. But in unclear or severe cases, it helps assess inflammation and fibrosis.

💭 Can I still eat meat?

Yes, lean meats like fish, chicken, and turkey are excellent. Red meats should be limited.

💭 Are fatty liver and high cholesterol related?

Yes — both are tied to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.

💭 Does fatty liver hurt?

Most people feel no pain. Some feel vague fullness or discomfort on the right side.

💭 What supplements help fatty liver?

Milk thistle, omega-3s, and sometimes berberine. But they should be guided by your doctor.

💭 Is fatty liver the same as hepatitis?

No. Fatty liver is a buildup of fat. Hepatitis is inflammation, which can result from many causes.

💭 Can kids get fatty liver?

Unfortunately yes, especially with obesity or poor diet.

💭 What’s the biggest risk of untreated fatty liver?

Progression to cirrhosis or liver failure in rare but serious cases.

💭 Can you treat this at a family doctor’s office?

Yes! At our primary care clinic in Georgetown TX, we help you manage and reverse fatty liver naturally when possible.

🩺 You Deserve a Doctor Who Listens

At Wellness Bay, we take your health seriously — but always with warmth, patience, and no scare tactics. If you're looking for an Internist family PCP doctor Georgetown TX, come see how different primary care can feel.

💬 Let’s Keep You Healthy, Together

The Medicare Wellness Visit is your chance to pause, plan, and protect your future health. At Wellness Bay Primary Care, we make this visit meaningful, respectful, and centered on you.

📍 Visit us at 4887 Williams Dr Ste 107, Georgetown TX

📞 Call 512.588.7008 or📲 Book online

Proudly, our Internal Medicine Primary Care Practice is Accepting new patients From:

Georgetown, Sun City, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Florence, Jarrell, Taylor, Hutto, Pflugerville, North Austin, Brushy Creek, Temple, Harker Heights, Bartram, Lampasas, Killeen, Lago Vista, and surrounding areas across Williamson County and North Austin TX

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