Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver of people who drink little to no alcohol. It ranges from simple steatosis (fat buildup) to steatohepatitis (inflammation). Early detection and management help prevent scarring (fibrosis) and more serious liver damage.
NAFLD often has no warning signs in its early stages. As the disease progresses, you may experience:
A combination of metabolic and lifestyle factors contributes to NAFLD:
At GastroDoxs in Katy, we combine patient-centered care with the latest in NAFLD diagnostics and treatment. Our board-certified specialists interpret your fibrosis scores and lab results, design personalized lifestyle and medical plans, and support you every step of the way toward better liver health.
Take the first step-book an appointment today with GastroDoxs, your trusted NAFLD specialist in Katy!
We've successfully treated more than 23903 patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Your doctor may order blood tests-checking liver enzymes (ALT, AST), fasting glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides-and imaging like an abdominal ultrasound to detect excess fat in the liver and confirm NAFLD.
The NAFLD fibrosis score is a noninvasive calculation using age, BMI, blood sugar, platelet count, albumin, and AST/ALT ratio to estimate the amount of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the liver and guide treatment decisions.
In select non-diabetic adults with NAFLD, vitamin E supplementation has been shown to reduce liver inflammation and improve liver enzyme levels, though it's not appropriate for everyone and should be discussed with your physician.
Losing 5-10% of your body weight through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise often leads to significant reductions in liver fat and inflammation, improving overall liver health.
Key tests include liver function panels (ALT, AST), fasting glucose, lipid panels (cholesterol, triglycerides), and metabolic markers. These help assess your risk for NAFLD and monitor disease progression.
Yes-early-stage NAFLD is often reversible with sustained lifestyle changes such as weight loss, a balanced diet, and increased physical activity, along with appropriate medical oversight.
Insulin resistance leads to increased fat storage in the liver and contributes to metabolic syndrome, making it a major driver of NAFLD development and progression.
If lifestyle modifications alone don't sufficiently improve your liver health, an NAFLD specialist or gastroenterologist can provide advanced testing, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring.
We generally recommend repeating blood tests every 6-12 months-sooner if your symptoms change-to track liver enzymes and metabolic parameters and adjust your care plan as needed.
GastroDoxs has multiple local clinics in Katy staffed by board-certified gastroenterologists who specialize in NAFLD diagnosis and treatment. Book an appointment today to get started.
