Fatty Liver Treatment Singapore

Medically Reviewed By: Dr Leonard Leng – MBBS, MMed (FM), GDOM, DWD
Last updated: Feb 12, 2026

Fatty liver, also known as steatotic liver disease, refers to the abnormal build-up of fat in liver cells.

It is classified into two main types: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). MASLD is more common and is closely associated with metabolic conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

In Singapore, fatty liver affects up to 40% of adults, largely due to the increasing prevalence of metabolic and lifestyle-related risk factors. If left unmanaged, it can progress to liver inflammation (steatohepatitis), scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Treatment for fatty liver depends on the severity and underlying cause, and may involve lifestyle changes, management of metabolic conditions, reducing alcohol intake, and in some cases, medication.

Fatty liver can occur due to a range of lifestyle, metabolic, and genetic factors. The most common causes include:

• Obesity, particularly central (abdominal) fat accumulation
• Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits
• Excessive alcohol consumption (in the case of ALD)
• Genetic predisposition or family history of liver disease
• Certain medications (e.g. corticosteroids, chemotherapy)
• Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or hypothyroidism
• Rapid weight loss or malnutrition
• Chronic viral hepatitis (e.g. hepatitis B or C)

Fatty liver is often silent in its early stages, with most individuals experiencing no symptoms. When signs do appear, they may include:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Discomfort or dull ache in the upper right abdomen
• Mild jaundice in more advanced disease
• Unexplained weight loss

If the condition progresses, complications such as steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver failure can develop. Fatty liver disease is closely linked to cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Fatty liver can be classified into three grades based on the proportion of liver cells containing fat. These grades help indicate the severity of fat accumulation but do not reflect the extent of liver damage.

While grading reflects fat accumulation, staging describes how far the disease has progressed in terms of liver damage. These stages are especially important for long-term prognosis.

1. Simple Steatosis (Fatty Liver, No Inflammation)

• Fat is present in liver cells but no significant inflammation or damage.
• Usually reversible with lifestyle modifications.

2. Steatohepatitis (Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic)

• Fat accumulation with inflammation and liver cell damage.
• Increased risk of liver scarring (fibrosis) and disease progression.
• Requires medical management to prevent further damage.

3. Fibrosis (Liver Scarring)

• Ongoing inflammation leads to scar tissue formation, reducing liver function over time.
• Still potentially reversible if the underlying cause is addressed.

4. Cirrhosis (Severe Liver Scarring)

• Extensive and permanent scarring of the liver causing irreversible damage that impairs liver function
• Increases the risk of liver failure and liver cancer
• Can be managed to reduce complications and slow progression

Diagnosis of fatty liver typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, blood tests, and imaging to confirm fat accumulation and evaluate disease severity.

Common diagnostic tools include:

• Blood tests – Detect liver inflammation or dysfunction by measuring liver enzymes (e.g. alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) and other markers in the blood
• Ultrasound scan – Identify fat accumulation by using sound waves to produce images of the liver
• FibroScan^® (transient elastography) – Estimate liver stiffness, which may indicate fibrosis, by sending painless vibrations into the liver through a handheld probe
• MRI or CT scans – Assess liver fat content and structural changes through detailed cross-sectional imaging; MRI quantifies fat, while CT provides anatomical detail (size, shape, and texture)
• Liver biopsy – Confirm diagnosis and assess disease severity by extracting a small sample of liver tissue for examination under a microscope

Treatment for fatty liver focuses on addressing the underlying metabolic causes and preventing further liver damage. While no single drug cures the condition, several approaches can help improve liver health:

Regular follow-up with your doctor is important to monitor treatment progress, detect complications early, and adjust your management plan if needed.

You should consider consulting a doctor if you:

• Have risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of liver disease.
• Experience unexplained fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or abnormal liver blood test results.
• Have a history of excessive alcohol consumption.
• Wish to include liver screening as part of your health check-up.
• Have been diagnosed with fatty liver and require guidance on treatment or monitoring.
• Have chronic hepatitis B or C, which can increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease.

At ATA Medical, we offer liver assessments and personalised treatment strategies to help monitor and manage your liver health. The prices are as follows:

For a more comprehensive review of your health, consider our health screening packages.

• Anson Clinic
• Orchard Clinic
• Jurong Clinic