Liver Disease & MAFLD/MASLD — Patient Information

A clear guide for Valley Gastroenterology patients.

Terminology: You may see MAFLD or MASLD used for metabolic (fat‑related) liver disease. Both refer to what was previously called NAFLD.

The basics

Liver disease includes conditions that inflame, scar, or damage the liver. A common type is metabolic (fat‑related) liver disease — MAFLD/MASLD — where fat builds up in the liver in people with overweight/obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

  • Simple steatosis: fat in the liver without significant inflammation
  • MASH (steatohepatitis): fat plus inflammation/injury
  • Fibrosis (scarring): staged F0–F4; F4 = cirrhosis

Why it matters

Fatty liver can progress silently. Advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis increases the risk of complications (fluid in the belly, confusion, bleeding) and liver cancer. The good news: early stages are reversible with the right plan.

Who is at risk?

  • Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
  • Overweight/obesity (especially central)
  • High triglycerides/LDL or low HDL
  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Family history of fatty liver or cirrhosis

Alcohol can worsen liver injury. Even if alcohol isn’t the main cause, we’ll discuss safe limits or abstinence based on your liver status.

Symptoms

Often none. Possible fatigue, right‑upper‑quadrant discomfort, or later signs of advanced disease: jaundice, leg/abdominal swelling, easy bruising, confusion, or severe itching.

How we evaluate

  • History, exam, and labs: liver enzymes, platelets, metabolic profile
  • Non‑invasive fibrosis scores (e.g., FIB‑4) to estimate scarring risk
  • Ultrasound for fat and other causes
  • FibroScan® (transient elastography): measures liver stiffness (fibrosis) and fat; we coordinate referral and review results with you
  • MRI‑based tests or liver biopsy in select cases

Your treatment plan (personalized)

Weight & activity

  • Target 7–10% weight loss (even 5% helps); slow/steady is safest
  • Aim for 150–300 minutes/week of moderate activity (walking, cycling) plus 2 days/week of strength training

Nutrition

  • Mediterranean‑style pattern: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish/lean proteins, olive oil
  • Limit sugary drinks, refined carbs, and excess saturated fat; consider reducing fructose
  • Coffee (without excess sugar/cream) is liver‑friendly for many adults

Medical therapy (case‑by‑case)

  • Manage diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol aggressively
  • Vitamin E (non‑diabetics with biopsy‑proven steatohepatitis) or pioglitazone in selected patients
  • GLP‑1/GIP weight‑loss medications may help with weight and liver fat—ask if appropriate for you
  • Avoid hepatotoxins: limit/avoid alcohol; be cautious with herbal/supplement products not proven safe. Acetaminophen is generally safe at standard doses unless we advise otherwise

Vaccinations

  • Ensure hepatitis A & B immunity; stay current on routine vaccines

If advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis is present

  • We’ll coordinate hepatology care as needed
  • Ultrasound every 6 months to screen for liver cancer (HCC)
  • Endoscopy to check for varices when indicated
  • Avoid NSAIDs unless directed; review all meds with us
  • Sodium‑aware diet if fluid retention develops

Red‑flags — seek help promptly

  • Yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), confusion, sleep‑wake reversal
  • Vomiting blood or black/tarry stools
  • New/worsening abdominal swelling, fever, or severe abdominal pain Call us or go to the ER for these symptoms.

Alaska‑specific note

We coordinate local labs, ultrasound, and FibroScan referrals and offer telehealth for counseling and follow‑ups. Unsafe winter roads? We’ll reschedule without penalty and prioritize your next slot.

Next steps

If you’ve been told you have fatty liver, elevated liver enzymes, or risk factors (diabetes, weight gain), schedule a visit. We’ll confirm the diagnosis, stage fibrosis risk, and build a realistic plan that fits your goals.

Valley Gastroenterology

3190 E Meridian Park Loop, Suite 206

Wasilla, Alaska 99654

Phone: (907) 373-2544

Fax: (844) 689-4240

Web: ValleyGastroAK.com