FATTY LIVER AND LOW PLATELWT COUNT

[rosie97]

Hi could anyone help. I have very diffuse fatty liver and a low platelet count. My ALT HAS BEEN RISING FOR THE PAST 12 months.

Is this connected and should my GP just leave it? Thanks everyone.

[AyrshireK]

Rosie, your ALT rising is a concern since this could well be indicating that your liver is showing additional damage and might indicate that your fatty liver isn't properly under control and needs addressing and investigating properly since fatty liver can turn to cirrhosis if not treated. Fatty liver and low platelet count and now rising ALT you need some investigations - have you had a recent ultrasound?

Your GP should not just be leaving it, you need to be referred to a hepatologist for further tests. Don't take no for an answer or sadly you could be en-route to irreversible liver damage, fatty liver is reversible, full on cirrhosis doesn't tend to be. You need an ultrasound or perhaps a fibroscan if they offer them near to you.

Wishing you all the best, Katie

[rosie97 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, thank you so much for your advice. I had a private ultrasound and they just told me that it was very diffuse liver and that I needed to go to my GP. The lady doing it said if it was me I wouldn't leave it. I went and told him and he didn't say anymore.

I have been having private blood tests and that's how I know ALT has been rising.

Just had blood tests at DRS and low platelets and elevated ALT and he said no action needed.

I do get pain around the liver area. But I find it hard to speak up.

Thank you for replying.

[AyrshireK in reply to rosie97]

This can't be ignored, untreated fatty liver can get worse. Rising ALT is definitely a warning sign. I feel you need to be a little more assertive. You need to go to your Doctors, tell them about the pain in liver area and your concerns and say you would like a referral to a hepatologist for further investigations and/or proper liver advice - a GP is not an expert in the liver and you are not disrespecting your GP to ask for advice from a specialist its just that you need proper investigations from a more expert set of eyes. Without treatment or appropriate lifestyle/dietary changes this could turn to cirrhosis.

I understand your difficulties with finding hard to speak up but this is your life we are talking about - my hubby was never a 'frequent flyer' at the doctors but perhaps if he had attended sooner than he did he wouldn't be the facing the uncertain life with chronic cirrhosis that we now.

Please try and be assertive, if you feel you can't talk to doctor write down your request. I know that I have had to do that to move on some of hubby's care when things went awry with local gastro doc.

I wish you all the best with it, do tell us how you get on.

Katie x

[ancientadolescent]

Fatty liver and low platelet( known as itp). You need to be referred to both a heptologist for your liver and a hematologist for your platelet count. You must be assertive and urge your gp to refer you asap. It's your life and you could lose it if you take no action!

[rosie97]

Thank you for your advise. I will have to try and pluck up courage!, I am tired all the time and wondering if this is connected too.

Thanks everyone for replying.

[AyrshireK in reply to rosie97]

Take a list of your symptoms, fatigue is certainly another potential indicator of something going on - it is my hubby's major symptom.

All the best to you.

Katie