At 27, Noida man got a fatty liver diagnosis. Why it’s a silent disease

In 2026, a report by Apollo Hospitals titled "The Health of the Nation" highlighted a growing concern in India - fatty liver disease. This condition can develop silently, with liver enzymes remaining normal even when fat accumulates in the liver. Aman, a 27-year-old from Noida, provides a vivid example of this insidious disease.

At first, he experienced bloating and mushy stools. After a few months, his liver enzyme levels spiked, leading to a diagnosis of fatty liver. The severity was Grade 2-3, indicating significant fat deposits and liver scarring. Aman, now 32, has been under treatment at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Delhi for five years, adhering to a strict diet and exercise regimen.

Despite his efforts, the disease has not been completely reversed but is manageable. The report indicates that fatty liver is often a silent disease, with over 80% of patients showing no symptoms. Liver Function Tests (LFTs), which measure ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin, can miss fatty liver even when ALT and AST levels are normal.

An ultrasound and a FibroScan, which measure liver stiffness, are more effective in detecting fatty liver. The report also points out that many young people in India are facing health issues, with obesity, diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels prevalent. This double burden of diseases can severely impact the quality of life.