Most patients with fatty liver usually do not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may be generalized, such as fatigue or malaise (general sick feeling). They can also be centralized, such as abdominal tenderness on the right side or an enlarged liver.

In some cases, fatty liver is not discovered until it has progressed to a more serious condition, such as cirrhosis. Symptoms may include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Small, red spider veins under the skin
• Loss of interest in sex
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
• Itching on the hands and feet that progresses to other parts of the body
• Swelling (edema) in the legs or feet
• Mental confusion, such as forgetfulness or trouble concentrating (encephalopathy)