Are you worried about developing diabetes-related liver disorders? Yes, it is undoubtedly a matter of major concern because diabetes impacts your organs badly if not managed properly.
The heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes are most vulnerable to such damage. In fact, one more organ is badly impacted but often overlooked. That is LIVER. According to studies, diabetes is strongly and dangerously associated with liver damage, too. Patients with long-standing or poorly controlled blood sugar levels are at higher risk. People suffering from unmanaged diabetes commonly develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
These conditions can silently progress to serious liver damage. So, if you are diabetic, at risk of developing it in the future, or taking care of someone suffering from it, it's very important to understand the link between these two conditions.
The liver is one of your vital organs that plays a key role in blood sugar regulation. It does so by storing and releasing glucose as per the body's needs. This balance gets disrupted once you develop diabetes. Let’s understand what happens if blood sugar levels spike for longer durations due to poor control:
The following are the common liver disorders that may develop in individuals with poor blood sugar control:
1. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD is characterised by excess fat accumulation in the liver cells. It is the most prevalent liver disorder in diabetics. It often presents little to no early symptoms and can silently progress to advanced liver diseases.
2. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
If NAFLD worsens and remains untreated, it may progress to NASH. It is characterized by widespread liver inflammation due to fat accumulation that ultimately causes liver cell damage. The most dangerous aspect of this disease is that it may progress to fibrosis (scarring), which increases the risk of cirrhosis and ultimately liver failure. If liver cirrhosis develops, it may also increase the risk of liver cancer.
3. Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis
If liver inflammation becomes persistent and long-standing, it can lead to liver scarring, which may progress to cirrhosis, a life-threatening condition, if left untreated. In diabetic individuals, this process happens very fast and increases.
4. Elevated Liver Enzymes in Diabetes
In many diabetic patients, the imbalance in liver enzyme levels is common. Such levels may indicate increased liver stress or damage. Such symptoms can be the first sign of progressive liver damage.
The following are the common factors that significantly increase the risk of liver disorders in diabetics:
Early liver damage may not exhibit noticeable symptoms. You can spot that something is wrong with your liver if your liver function test report shows abnormal liver enzyme levels. Also, regular screening may be very helpful. However, you may experience the following signs as damage progresses:
The following are the tests your doctor may advise you to keep a check on your liver health in diabetes:
The following are the tips that help in maintaining liver health in diabetes:
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Planning and implementing your plan to keep up your liver's health is a wise move if you are diabetic. Even if you don't consume any alcohol, this condition causes excess fat accumulation in your liver. Your doctor may advise you on tips to preserve your liver health if you get diagnosed with diabetes. Your doctor may also recommend routine screening tests to monitor your liver health in the context of diabetes.
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Q1: Is it possible to reverse fatty liver in diabetes?
A: Yes, it is possible to reverse fatty liver in diabetes if it is in an early-stage fatty liver with lifestyle adjustments and improved sugar control.
Q2: How are diabetes and liver damage interrelated?
A: The liver does the job of processing and storing in the form of fat. Diabetes disrupts this balance, resulting in damage to liver cells and inflammation.
Q3: Is it possible to have control over blood sugar levels if the liver is damaged?
A: Yes, liver dysfunction causes increased insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels, leading to poor blood sugar control.
Q4: Why is liver screening necessary in diabetes?
A: Regular liver screening helps in catching liver diseases in their earliest stages when the treatment is most effective, and more options are available.
