What Blood Tests Detect Fatty Liver Disease?

Q: What Blood Tests Detect Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver (NAFLD) is suspected with elevated ALT and AST (ALT>AST), metabolic risk factors, and confirmed by imaging. No single blood test diagnoses it.

Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is suspected from blood tests but confirmed by imaging.

Blood Test Clues

Elevated ALT (usually higher than AST)
Elevated AST (milder than ALT)
Elevated GGT
Elevated fasting glucose
Elevated triglycerides
Low HDL

Risk Factors

Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Sedentary lifestyle

Confirmation

Liver ultrasound (first-line)
FibroScan (elastography)
Liver biopsy (if advanced disease suspected)

Treatment

Weight loss (most effective)
Exercise
Control diabetes and cholesterol
No specific FDA-approved medication

Source: American Association for Clinical Chemistry, NLM MedlinePlus.

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