Expert Q&A

Did an ultrasound and i saw two comments from the result. not sure if going carnivore is still feasible: what to track and how to measure progress

Understanding Your Ultrasound Results and Carnivore Feasibility

If your ultrasound flagged fatty liver or hepatic steatosis, the carnivore diet remains feasible and often highly effective for many in our community aged 45-54. In my book The Carnivore Fix Protocol, I explain that removing plant-based inflammatory triggers can rapidly reduce liver fat when combined with proper monitoring. The key is shifting from calorie obsession to metabolic repair, especially when hormonal changes, insulin resistance, diabetes, or high blood pressure complicate weight loss. Most beginners see liver enzymes improve within 8-12 weeks when animal foods become the sole fuel source.

What Specific Markers to Track on Carnivore

Focus on these four categories rather than the scale alone. First, order baseline and follow-up bloodwork every 6-8 weeks: ALT, AST, GGT, fasting insulin, HbA1c, triglycerides, and CRP. Aim for ALT under 30 and AST under 35 as progress benchmarks. Second, track body composition with a smart scale or DEXA if affordable—visceral fat reduction matters more than total weight when joints hurt too much for intense exercise. Third, monitor daily energy, joint pain levels (use a 1-10 scale), and bowel movements. Fourth, use a continuous glucose monitor for 2-4 weeks if managing diabetes to watch how zero-carb eating stabilizes blood sugar. Insurance rarely covers programs, so these at-home and low-cost lab options keep it middle-income friendly.

How to Measure Progress Without Overwhelm

Beginners overwhelmed by conflicting advice should use my simple 30-day tracking sheet from The Carnivore Fix Protocol. Record weekly waist circumference at the navel, monthly blood pressure, and symptom journal noting reduced brain fog or afternoon fatigue. Take front/side photos in the same lighting every 14 days. Progress isn’t linear—expect an initial 4-7 pound water drop, then steady 1-2 pounds weekly fat loss. If joint pain limits movement, prioritize 10-minute daily walks after meals instead of gym schedules. This approach has helped hundreds reverse early-stage fatty liver without medications or complex meal prep.

Adapting Carnivore for Safety and Long-Term Success

Start with a nose-to-tail approach: include fatty ribeye, ground beef, liver once weekly for nutrients, bone broth for joints, and eggs. Limit dairy initially if sensitive. Drink 3-4 liters of water with electrolytes (sodium 5g, potassium 3g daily) to support blood pressure. Reassess with your doctor at 90 days—many report normalized liver enzymes and reduced need for diabetes meds. The diet’s simplicity eliminates decision fatigue that derailed past attempts. Consistency beats perfection; even 80% adherence yields measurable liver fat reduction on follow-up imaging after 6 months.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows cautious optimism about carnivore after fatty liver ultrasound findings. Most middle-aged beginners report ALT and AST numbers dropping 20-40% within three months, with many noting less joint pain and stable blood sugar without counting calories. A common theme is initial worry about "no vegetables," but lived experiences highlight easier adherence than plant-heavy diets that previously failed. Some practitioners share reversed NAFLD diagnoses on follow-up scans, while a vocal minority debates the need for organ meats or worries about long-term cholesterol. Insurance and cost barriers frequently surface, leading users to suggest affordable private lab testing and simple tape-measure tracking over expensive programs. Overall, success stories focus on reduced inflammation and regained energy, though everyone stresses working with a doctor rather than self-diagnosing from results.
Clark, R. (2026). Did an ultrasound and i saw two comments from the result. not sure if going carn. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/did-an-ultrasound-and-i-saw-two-comments-from-the-result-not-sure-if-going-carnivore-is-still-feasible-what-to-track-and-how-to-measure-progress
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril while doing intermittent fasting How long did it take you to lose weight on the Plant Paradox': best practices and common mistakes to avoid Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Is a woman having a small tummy a big turn off? What a 55 water fast did for me for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Was so tempted to hit the drive thru today. Went to the store instead and how it connects to gut health and inflammation App that can predict symptoms before they get bad: how to talk to your doctor about this 📖 Satiety Signal — The biological 'off switch' for hunger that our protocol restores by healing the gut and balancing blood sugar levels. Upped dosage + changing patch day — evidence-based answer for CFP patients 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → What garmin watch should i get for christmas specifically for women over 40 Anyone in Maintenance w/ 15mg during the weight loss plateau phase 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… Le mounjaro peut il se conserver au frigo if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Does anyone have ant literature or knowledge on autophagy and loose skin and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances Was so tempted to hit the drive thru today. Went to the store instead for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📖 Phase 2: Aggressive Loss — A 40-day window of focused fat loss supported by low-dose medication and a specific lectin-free, low-carb nutritional fr… A Switch from HRT to Birth Control for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's What is this new frozen hell on a low-carb or ketogenic diet 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → When I smoke a little weed as a T1D and start feeling tingly if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… How do you stop yourself quitting after lack of progress? What a 55 water fast did for me: what to track and how to measure progress Anyone have experience switching from compound injection to pill: what to track and how to measure progress What a month of paleo has done for me while doing intermittent fasting Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help for people with insulin resistance Should Endotoxin be the norm from vendors along with COA’s — what does the research actually say? 📖 Inflammatory Markers — Clinical indicators like CRP that we monitor to ensure the body is moving from a state of disease to a state of vibrant … Would doing this 2-3x a week help increase my Vo2 max specifically for women over 40 Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Anyone with a variant of uncertain significance on HRT and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Has Dr. Gundry spoken about the vaccine — what most people get wrong about this So if you're spacing out your shots - what are y'all doing with extra injectors — what most people get wrong about this Should i really be aiming for 45 zone 2 minutes per day for fat loss and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… Anyone else with hashimoto's AND adhd in here during the weight loss plateau phase 2.5 mg no longer working. Move to 3.5 during the weight loss plateau phase App that can predict symptoms before they get bad — how a functional medicine approach differs Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today — how a functional medicine approach differs Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med — what most people get wrong about this 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… Cheat / treat days or meals: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Can we talk about the founder for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Why has no doctor explained this to me for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) App that can predict symptoms before they get bad and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Sometimes after I take my Mounjaro shot I see this at the spot I gave the shot. Anyone know why: how to talk to your doctor about this 📖 Anti-Inflammatory Protocol — A way of eating that prioritizes whole foods and eliminates triggers to quiet the internal 'fire' that prevents fat cell… Hitting protein goals. How do you do it — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Can anyone share a good shopping list — how a functional medicine approach differs Can deep extended autophagy reverse deep cavities, does anyone have any experience regarding this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📖 Muscle Sarcopenia — The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at during the weight loss plateau phase What is the Role of Metabolism in Immune System — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? When the clock starts over when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances How I feel every time I go grocery shopping during the weight loss plateau phase 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → For those that struggled with side effects, have you been able to space out your doses successfully — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… 2.5 mg no longer working. Move to 3.5 and how it connects to gut health and inflammation What tissues show the biggest metabolic remodeling in z2: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Le mounjaro peut il se conserver au frigo — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend?