Emlarged spleen

[Jonathan1985]

Hello Everyone

I had my six monthly check yesterday,

The consultant said that blood work was fine, the liver is functioning but my spleen is enlarged. For a few days I feel unusually tired despite being on Urso for over a year. Is my spleen an other organ I have to worry about beside my liver.

[RodeoJoe]

If you have liver disease I think it's very common to have an enlarged spleen. I know I did, but it has never become an issue.

[Jonathan1985 in reply to RodeoJoe]

Thanks RodeoJoe for your assurance I'm feeling a lot relaxed now.

[RodeoJoe in reply to Jonathan1985]

Yes I think you'll find it's all linked rather than being separate issues.

The spleen isn't such an important organ anyway and can be easily removed if needs be. My friend has had his removed because of a hereditary disease, and he's fine.

I wouldn't worry to much about your spleen.

[Jonathan1985 in reply to RodeoJoe]

Thanks again you have put myibd at rest.

[christine3434]

Hi Jonathan, my understanding is that an enlarged spleen is a classic sign of portal hypertension. It can lead to varicies and bleeds (it did in my case). I don't mean to worry you but I hope you are having more checks.

[jenniwren]

I have had a grossly enlarged spleen for over 15 years. I have had portal hypertension and some very small varices that have never required banding. I've been on beta blockers as treatment to prevent the varices getting worse and this seems to have been successful.

My spleen was not removed during my liver transplant and I have been told that if will shrink down as it is no longer having to compensate for the liver.

Neither the enlarged spleen or the associated issues have caused me much grief over the last 15 years. It is definitely something to keep an eye on regarding portal hypertension and varices, but nothing to be overly worried about.

Wishing you all the best

Jenni 😊

[Jonathan1985 in reply to jenniwren]

Thanks you.

[tommyc in reply to jenniwren]

Do you have any symptoms of Cirrhosis i.e. Fatigue etc

[Jonathan1985 in reply to tommyc]

Hi Tommyc no cihrocis no varicies but I do have fatigue, my spleen is 14. And platelets are low. I've been referred to more blod tests as they suspect I have sorg sorry can't spell it. The dry mouth and eyes. Thanks for your reply and keep well.

[tommyc in reply to Jonathan1985]

Sjogren Syndrome - is this related to your Liver condition?

[Jonathan1985 in reply to tommyc]

Yes, it is where my immune system attacks my saliva glans and tear duct. When I saw the consultant last week, he said my liver is functioning. But ordered blood test for the bruising and Sjogren disease.

[mousehold]

Hi, I had an enlarged spleen - 23 cm for years before transplant. Immediately after my transplant it went down to 16 cm. My surgeon said it would probably not decrease much more than that and after a year it is the same. It has been no problem. What size did they tell you it was? I think the largest normal size is 13cm. I have had no problem with platelets or any liver function tests. It is my kidneys causing problems now from all the drugs!

[Jonathan1985 in reply to mousehold]

Hi thanks for your reply. The consultant just said we need to keep an eye on it.

[Dorset123]

Hi Jonathon,

I have had an enlarged(17cm) spleen for around 5 years. I do have low platelets and left side pain.Apparently the platelets 'pool' in the spleen. I also get nose bleeds regularly, but the couple of stage 1 varicies I have, seem to be controlled by beta blockers. I have also been told that the spleen should shrink back after liver transplant.

I have been told to avoid contact sports since spleen is less protected.

Take care

[rickyrocket1]

hi ive had an enlarged spleen for around 6years with portal hypertention being the cause its due to the sleen dealing with back up of blood the liver cant deal with im on propanalol for it maybe they would help you ricky

[Jonathan1985 in reply to rickyrocket1]

Hi thanks for your reply. The doctor did not seem concerned, he said we'll keep an eye on it for the next six months, although I have noticed that I'm quite tired especially between the shoulders.

I do hope that this is temporary and it will settle down.

[jules45]

Hi, I have cirhossis of the liver and have a very large spleen and I'm just seen by hepatologist every 3 months and to the medical profession it isn't something that they worry about so I just go with the flow and accept it is a problem associated with my liver disease.

Best wishes

julie

[Jonathan1985 in reply to jules45]

Hi Julie, thank you for your reply. The doctor said not be concerned.

All the best to you.

[jules45]

Hi Jonathan, hope your mind is a little more at rest.

You take care as well

julie x

[Catfishjumpin]

Ask if your spleen is enlarged due to your platlets being now thrown into it

[tommyc]

It's caused by Portal Hypertension, essentially your Liver is like a sponge, when it scars in Cirrhosis, the holes the blood permeates in the Liver block up creating back pressure which pushes blood back to your Spleen via the Portal Vein hence the enlarged spleen - it's a bit like the bottle neck effect.

This is what can cause enlarged varices and subsequently, internal bleeding however this tends to occur when a patient is moving from Compensated to Decompensated Cirrhosis which I assume you don't have to worry about at the moment as your physician would alert you to this - you should have an endoscopy every three years I believe to check if there are any varices.

I take it you have Liver Cirrhosis??

[tommyc]

Just to add, my last Ultrasound confirmed my Spleen as 24 cms, the average is 11cm, no varices though!!