By Dr Pranab Gyawali, Consultant Gastroenterologist
Medically reviewed and updated:
Have you been told you have fatty liver?
If an ultrasound or another scan has shown fatty liver, the next step is to understand what the finding means for you. Fatty liver, also called metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD in many patients, can be mild. Its importance varies according to your blood results, metabolic health and whether there are signs of liver inflammation or scarring.
At a fatty liver assessment in Dubai, your scan is reviewed alongside a full clinical history, clinical examination, liver blood tests and metabolic results. You receive an individual treatment and follow up plan based on the complete assessment.
Please bring:
- your original ultrasound, CT, MRI or previous FibroScan report;
- recent liver blood tests and platelet count;
- glucose or HbA1c, cholesterol and triglyceride results, if available;
- a list of your medicines and supplements;
- any previous liver investigations.
Assessment and treatment take place in a JCI accredited facility in Dubai. Care is based on current guidance from the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Quick answers
I have fatty liver. What should I do?
Arrange a medical assessment and bring your scan report and recent blood results. The first step is to understand the finding and decide whether any further testing or treatment is needed.
Is fatty liver dangerous?
Fatty liver is not equally serious in every patient. Many people have early disease that can improve, while some have liver inflammation or scarring that needs closer follow up.
Can fatty liver be reversed?
Liver fat often improves with sustained changes to weight, food, physical activity, diabetes, cholesterol and alcohol intake. Improvement depends on the cause and whether liver scarring is present.
What tests are needed for fatty liver?
Assessment usually starts with your scan, liver blood tests, platelet count and metabolic results. A fibrosis score, FibroScan or other imaging may be recommended if it will help clarify your risk.
What should I eat if I have fatty liver?
There is no single fatty liver diet. Current guidance generally supports a sustainable Mediterranean style eating pattern and reducing sugary drinks, excess added sugar, heavily processed foods and large amounts of saturated fat.
Do I need medicine for fatty liver?
Not everyone needs medicine. Newer treatments are available for selected patients, but the choice depends on the assessment, other medical conditions and current local approval and availability.
What happens at a fatty liver assessment in Dubai?
The first appointment turns a scan finding into a clear plan. Dr Pranab will:
- take a full clinical history and perform a clinical examination;
- review the original scan, liver blood tests and metabolic results;
- assess weight, diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and alcohol intake;
- review medicines and supplements;
- consider other causes where appropriate;
- decide whether further blood tests, a fibrosis score, FibroScan or other imaging is required.
You will receive an explanation of your likely risk, what should be changed now and how your liver health should be monitored.
How is fatty liver treated?
Treatment is matched to what the assessment shows. Dr Pranab follows current European EASL guidance and American AASLD guidance.
Food, activity and weight
A sustainable eating plan and regular activity can reduce liver fat. Weight reduction is recommended when it is clinically appropriate.
Treat what is driving it
Diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, alcohol, medicines and supplements are reviewed and treated where necessary.
Medicines when appropriate
Newer medicines, including resmetirom and semaglutide, are approved internationally for selected patients with liver inflammation and scarring. Suitability and local availability must be checked individually.
Patients with significant liver scarring need closer follow up. Read more about new treatments and clinical trials for fatty liver in Dubai.
Will I need a FibroScan?
Not everyone with fatty liver requires the same testing. FibroScan is a useful non invasive test that estimates liver stiffness and liver fat. The result needs to be interpreted with your blood tests, scan findings and clinical history.
If FibroScan would help clarify your risk, it can be arranged as part of the assessment. Find out more about the test, preparation and specialist interpretation on the dedicated FibroScan in Dubai page.
The gut and liver connection
The gut and liver communicate closely. Food, the intestinal barrier, bile acids, the immune system and substances produced by gut bacteria may all influence metabolic health and liver inflammation.
Dr Pranab's interest in gut health means that diet, bowel health and metabolic health are considered together. Gut microbiome testing does not replace standard liver blood tests or liver risk assessment, and it is not required for every patient.
Read the full guide about how the gut may affect fatty liver.
Frequently asked questions
Can liver blood tests be normal when fatty liver is present?
Yes. Normal liver enzymes do not always exclude fatty liver or important liver scarring. Blood tests, imaging and clinical risk factors need to be considered together.
What do grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 fatty liver mean?
These ultrasound grades estimate how much fat is visible in the liver. They do not show whether there is inflammation or scarring, so they are not a complete measure of liver risk.
Can fatty liver cause pain or tiredness?
Fatty liver often causes no symptoms. Some patients report tiredness or discomfort in the right upper abdomen, but these symptoms are not specific and may have another cause.
Recommended guides
Request a fatty liver assessment
If a scan has shown fatty liver or your liver blood tests are abnormal, request an assessment using the form below or contact the Admin Team on WhatsApp. Please bring your recent blood results, scan reports, previous FibroScan results and a list of your medicines and supplements.