​5 signs of fatty liver you can check at home

Are you struggling with belly fat? Do you feel constantly tired? Well, then you may certainly look at the health of your liver.
The liver is the largest organ inside our body, and it plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. From helping in metabolism to aiding digestion by producing the digestive fluid bile, and also removing harmful substances from our body.
Fatty liver or hepatic steatosis, is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver. This buildup of fat can interfere with liver function and potentially lead to more serious health issues. There are two types of fatty liver diseases: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related fatty liver disease.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi MD MPH, a gastroenterologist, who goes by the name @doctor.sethi with a following of 965K followers on Instagram, and 475,000 on TikTok (@doctorsethimd), talks about five signs of fatty liver, you can check at home.
See more: Fatty liver causes symptoms complications and prevention
“Concerned about fatty liver? Discover 5 signs you can check at home! As a liver specialist, I’ll walk you through simple ways to identify potential symptoms. Early detection is key to prevention and better liver health,” Dr. Sethi says in a video shared on Instagram.

The liver specialist says that weight gain around the belly area is one concerning sign of fatty liver. “Weight gain around the midsection. Insulin resistance linked to fatty liver often causes abdominal weight gain,” the doctor shares.
Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest a direct correlation between liver fat content and abdominal fat which is mostly accounted for by visceral fat, according to a 2023 study. Visceral fat is a key mediator of inflammation in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
NAFLD is a major public health concern affecting a quarter of the world's population.
A 2012 study points out that due to rising obesity rates, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) in the UK.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi also alerts us that constant tiredness could be a sign of poor liver health. “Constant tiredness or fatigue could indicate your liver struggling.”
According to the doctor, another sign to look out for is discomfort or pain below the right rib cage, as it might signal liver inflammation.

If you notice unexplained acne, darkened skin folds, or hair loss, it could also indicate compromised liver health. “And fifth, nausea and loss of appetite. This could mean that your liver is overwhelmed,” Dr. Sethi adds.
According to the CDC, NAFLD is also associated with an increased risk of serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
(Pic courtesy: iStock)