How Diabetes Affects the Liver

Diabetes effects 18.2 million Americans. 12 percent of those Americans have a liver disease as well. Studies have found that liver disease is associated to diabetes. A study done by The National Institutes of Health found that those who have diabetes are twice as likely to have a liver disease as well, and especially if the patient has had diabetes for over 10 years. One of the biggest concerns is that liver disease associated with diabetes often goes undetected until it is too late. Here are some facts about how diabetes affects the liver.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

• Blood sugar that is out of control increases the risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD). This health concern can lead to liver cirrhosis or scarring of the liver.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

• Diabetes can be the result of metabolic syndrome, and this increases the risk of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can lead to various forms of liver cancer.

Acute Liver Failure

• Acute liver failure can be associated with diabetes. This is the quick deterioration of the liver that is followed by or linked to liver cancer.

Abnormal Liver Enzymes

• Abnormal liver enzymes can be found in the blood as a direct result of cholesterol-reducing medicine. This medicine is used to control symptoms of diabetes.

Hepatocellar Carcinoma

• Hepatocellar Carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer greatly associated with diabetes. A study done by The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases found that hyperinsulinemia is a possible reason for the increase of HCC in diabetic patients.