Liver Disease

On weight, metabolism, and self-help ideology

While I am busy writing my first novel—broadly on the history of transgender medicine—I have also been sidetracked by my own new medical mystery: at age 42, I’ve been diagnosed with liver disease, specifically, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as fatty liver.

Routine bloodwork this summer first indicated that my liver enzyme levels were through the roof. How did this happen all of a sudden? My PCP suggested I test for hepatitis. So we did. Results: negative. Next, we scheduled an ultrasound so that a radiologist could assess the size and shape and ‘look’ of my liver. When the results came back, it was clear: my liver was huge—way bigger than it’s supposed to be. And although my PCP says we still can’t be 100% sure what’s going on—I think a biopsy is necessary for that—we are moving forward with the most logical diag…