Diabetes & Liver Problems

The various types of diabetes all affect the way that your body processes and uses blood glucose. Type I diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control the levels of sugar in the blood. Type II diabetes occurs when the body does not use the insulin produced to control the levels of blood glucose. The conditions that result from diabetes, along with medications, can also cause problems with the liver.

Types

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be caused by blood glucose levels that are not under control. In some patients, this condition does not cause any symptoms or further complications. For others, the condition can progress to inflammation in the liver, which will lead to scarring or cirrhosis. Scarring of the liver eventually impairs the function of the liver and can lead to liver failure.
  The stages of liver disease caused by diabetes or complications from diabetes include fatty liver, inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis. Treatment before the cirrhosis stage offers the best chance that the liver will heal.
  High cholesterol and obesity are linked to diabetes as well. Cholesterol lowering medications can also affect the function of the liver and lead to liver damage.

Identification

• The symptoms of fatty liver may be difficult to detect, and most patients do not experience any symptoms. When they do occur, the symptoms of fatty liver disease caused by diabetes are fatigue, unexplained weight loss and pain in the upper right part of the abdomen.
  The doctor will identify your non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with blood tests to determine the liver enzymes. There may also be a biopsy taken of the liver tissue if the doctor suspects a serious progression of the disease.

Treatment

• Liver damage that progresses to cirrhosis will eventually lead to liver failure without treatment. Controlling the amount of blood sugar through diabetes treatment will prevent the progression of liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by obesity is treated with weight loss and diet.
  When cholesterol medications are the cause of liver disease, the doctor may change medications to one that does not cause the problem or discontinue the medication.

Consideration

• Lifestyle changes can help stop the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Losing weight, lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes are the best lifestyle changes to control the effects of liver disease.

Prevention

• Patients with diabetes type II should be aware of the potential for liver problems caused by uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Monitoring blood sugar, losing weight and controlling cholesterol with a healthy diet can prevent the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.