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The ConfidentPatient:A Doctor Discussion GuideAbout Taking Charge of NAFLD

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Worried about your liver health?

Life with liver disease, especially nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), can come with a lot of unknowns. You may have symptoms that are hard to name and describe, or they might be hard to “catch” with certain tests. You may want to be tested more thoroughly for liver disease but don’t know where to start or what kinds of tests to ask for.

If you’re unsure which path to take to get back control of your liver health, it may be time to talk to your doctor about your options.

patient talking with care team

Partnering with your care team

Treating NAFLD starts with sharing your concerns openly with your doctor. Because some of the early signs of NAFLD may be mild and vague – fatigue, weakness, or upper belly pain – you may not suspect it. But asking your doctor for further testing may be the first step in getting the care you need.

Partnering with your healthcare team can be crucial in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. The more information you gather from testing and imaging, the better prepared you will all be for developing a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Questions for your doctor

Have an appointment coming up? Now is a great time to get your list of concerns and questions together. Whether you have new symptoms or just feel something isn't right, discussing these issues openly can help you and your doctor determine the best next steps for your health.

Not sure where to start? These questions can help guide the conversation.

    Tracking symptoms
  • I've been feeling unusually tired and weak lately. Could this be a sign of liver disease or NAFLD?
  • What are the most common symptoms of NAFLD? Based on my profile, is this something you think I might have?
  • What symptoms should I be tracking and what’s the best way to record them?
  • If my symptoms worsen, what should I do?

    Testing for NAFLD
  • What tests can we do to determine whether I have NAFLD?
  • If the initial results are still uncertain, are there additional tests we could do?
  • If I have NAFLD, what are our next steps in creating a management plan?
  • Should I be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist, for further care?

    Treatment options:
  • What treatment options are there for NAFLD and how do they work?
  • How would you describe my severity? How does that affect the treatment approach?
  • How will we measure and track whether a specific treatment or lifestyle change is actually working for me?
  • If the current treatment doesn't seem to be working, what other options do we have?

Coming prepared to your appointment with questions like these can help you get the most out of the time with your doctor or specialist and ensure you’re getting the care you need most.

Symptom Check-in

How are you feeling?

Some NAFLD symptoms can be nonspecific, meaning that they can also be caused by other health conditions. That’s why it’s important to look at the full picture. Let’s check in about how you’ve been feeling lately.

In the last month, have you experienced any of the following?

☐ Fatigue
☐ Weakness
☐ Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen
☐ Swelling in the legs or abdomen
☐ Itchy skin
☐ Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
☐ Red palms
☐ Spider-like blood vessels under the skin (“spider veins”)

The Check-up
Doctor talking with patient

Sharing your concerns

It can be hard to tell if your symptoms are from NAFLD. Here are some ways to discuss them with your doctor:

  • “I’m having discomfort more often in my upper right abdomen. Could this be liver-related?”
  • “My skin looks a lot different lately – it’s itchy and yellow. This is not normal for me. Could these be signs of NAFLD?”
  • “I have swelling in my abdomen and in my legs. How should I decide whether the swelling warrants an emergency room visit?”
  • “I want to investigate my symptoms more. What are my options for further testing?”
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