Fatty Liver Disease Support Group

Hi Gail, sorry its been awhile. How are u at the moment? Ive been anxious that i have cirrhosis.. Do u think its possible with normal ultrasound and labs? My total billi was upper end normal, and slightly raised last year. Tho i wonder if thats cos of my gall bladder removal. Do u think the specialist wouldve seen cirrhosis when he did the surgery last yr? Im very scared

shonz,

Most surgeons can tell instantly if you have Cirrhosis.

Labs can be normal for a long time with Cirrhosis But US usually shows "Changes consistent with Cirrhosis"

Billirubin certainly could have been elevated because of your Gallbladder but should have returned to normal post surgery.

Sometimes you can have a gall stone even after the removal of your gall bladder. Ther are also many other causes of elevated Billirubin. From some medication to hepatitis (which only means inflammation)which is common with fatty liver patients and is usually the cause of that right side pain we feel. It should be addressed by your dr if it stays elevated.

Although anything is possible most drs will not do a biopsy with out some abnormal results.

Gail

Thanks Gail, u always make me feel a lot better. I think im ok. Does fatty liver ever really go away? Everything i read says yes. Tho i still wonder if it could come back. Ill still continue to get yearly blood tests done. Just to make sure im doin ok. Ive cut my drinking right back to maybe a couple of glasses a month now. Instead of over a dozen a week. Also ive now lost 50lbs. So time to go shopping for new clothes!

Yes it can go away.

But (Just my opinion)

I believe that once you have liver disease of any kind it can return.

This may depend all whether you are able to maintain what you're doing to improve your health or not. Also remember as we age our bodies function less well. Kidney as well as liver function decreases naturally.

Enjoy that shopping

Gail

Hi shonz,

Check the link below,

[url]http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/nash/

NASH is a nasty disease since you'll feel fine for years until it is too late. But you know you have it and can do something about it NOW. Sensible diet low fat...etc NO ALCOHOL (period). NASH (fatty liver) leads to cirrhosis and HCC (Hepatocelular Carcinoma)both diseases require transplantation.

Definitely you should be seeing a Hepatologist (not just a gastroen...)

NASH is like a submarine under the water...once you see the torpedo...it's to late.

Now is the time to do something about it, and you can.

Good luck and good health

Mango

NASH is a terrible disease.

But only 2 to 5 % of Fatty Liver patients will progress to NASH.

They estimated that up to 26% of Nash will develop Cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is not the death sentence it use to be. Most patients remain compensated and never progress to liver failure.Only patients that progress to Decompensated Cirrhosis need transplant.

Of Cirrhosis Patients less than 10% will develop Cancer Usually Men , With a high rate of Diabetes.

Actually diabetics in general have a increased risk of HCC with reoccurrence common after removal.

The main point is to be as healthy as possible so that you have a better chance of fighting what ever happens.

Mango, have you not read over my posts? I no longer have any signs of fatty liver. Not once have i had elevated liver panel, and my ultrasound is normal. You may be getting confused. NASH is a more severe from of fatty liver. They are two different things hun. I never had NASH. My doctor believes i had simple fatty liver. Which is relitively benign in most cases. Nash stands for non alcoholic steteohepatitis ( i used to drink alcohol ) if anything i could of had ash.. the alcoholic version. tho i doubt it considering ive had 5 lots of liver function tests done in a year, and each time the results were normal. i hade my gallbladder removed last yr. if my liver was enlarged, or scarred it would of been seen then. i am not seeing a gastro doc, nor will i be needingf to see a hepetologist. i see my local doc, who i have been seeing for 20 yrs. as there is no evidence of fatty liver, there is no point refering me to a specialist. i have also lost 50lbs, and eat quite well, and have the occasional glass of wine which if u look over the web u will see is fine.. fatty liver is a reversible disease. which i obviously have been able to do. only something like 10% of people with fatty liver will progress to nash, which then takes awhile. So i would suggest u do a bit more research before leaving posts like u have. Which can be scary to read, as ur info is misinformed. have a nice day.. Shonz

Hi All,

I am happy that you don't have anything to worry about, that's great news. Yes I did read your posts and others as well, needless to say that I am not and expert in liver disease. I am including the link below check it out it has some good info about NAFLD and NASH, remember cirrhosis in general from NAFLD, NASH or ALCOHOL is silent, a yearly checkup is a very good idea.

Regards,

Mango

Thanks heaps Mango, though i have researched fatty liver etc for 6 months straight. I will have a brain fry if i continue. I know what i have to do in order to stay healthy. Id like to move on from it now as much as i can.. Live a life again, not filled with stress and worry about my liver. Im happy i am back to better health, and hope to manage that for the rest of my life. Thanks for ur concern Mango. All the best to u. I hope u are able to over come what is troubling u.

Thanks heaps Mango, though i have researched fatty liver etc for 6 months straight. I will have a brain fry if i continue. I know what i have to do in order to stay healthy. Id like to move on from it now as much as i can.. Live a life again, not filled with stress and worry about my liver. Im happy i am back to better health, and hope to manage that for the rest of my life. Thanks for ur concern Mango. All the best to u. I hope u are able to over come what is troubling u.