If you have PCOS, you may also be at increased risk for a liver disease called NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). NAFLD is also linked to insulin resistant and metabolic syndrome.
This is something that all women with PCOS has to take note of because:
NAFLD could progress to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), which is a more serious condition (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. In severe NASH, there will lots of scar liver tissues, leading to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver sustains substantial damage, and the liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue (see figure), which results in the inability of the liver to work properly. Some patients who develop cirrhosis may eventually require a liver transplant (surgery to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a “new” liver).The researchers of the mentioned study had recommended that all women with PCOS be screened for NAFLD.
What is the risk of having NAFLD if you have PCOS??
A study by University of California, SanDiego which was reported in 2005 in the Fertility and Sterility journal found that that 30% of the 73 PCOS patients in their study had high levels of an enzyme strongly linked NAFLD. This does not mean you have a 30% of having it too, as PCOS is a very heterogenous syndrome, and the women in the study may not share similar characteristics as you.
Please visit the ACG website for more information on NAFLD
This is something that all women with PCOS has to take note of because:
- Most medical professionals are still not aware of the link between PCOS and NAFLD, and therefore may not be looking out for it
- Most of the time, NAFLD has little signs are symptoms! Ie, you may not be even aware of if even if you have it! Symptoms to look out for are fatigue, pain at the upper right side of teh abdominal or vague and widespread abdominal discomfort. As you are probably thinking, these symptoms are not specific at all, and are things that many women attribute to their PCOS.
- You might even be prescribed drugs which are contraindicated (ie, should not be used) in NAFLD. Quite a number of treatment commonly used in PCOS has a contra-indication for more severe NAFLD!!!
- NAFLD may progress to NASH---> cirrhosis---> liver damage & transplant
NAFLD could progress to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), which is a more serious condition (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. In severe NASH, there will lots of scar liver tissues, leading to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver sustains substantial damage, and the liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue (see figure), which results in the inability of the liver to work properly. Some patients who develop cirrhosis may eventually require a liver transplant (surgery to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a “new” liver).The researchers of the mentioned study had recommended that all women with PCOS be screened for NAFLD.
What is the risk of having NAFLD if you have PCOS??
A study by University of California, SanDiego which was reported in 2005 in the Fertility and Sterility journal found that that 30% of the 73 PCOS patients in their study had high levels of an enzyme strongly linked NAFLD. This does not mean you have a 30% of having it too, as PCOS is a very heterogenous syndrome, and the women in the study may not share similar characteristics as you.
Please visit the ACG website for more information on NAFLD
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