Introduction to me and my newly found Liver probs.

First off, Hello to all. 

I have only just joined this forum as I have been looking into my liver health issues on-line through Google and it has led me here. 

I have recently been getting stomach pains below my right rib for 6 weeks or so. They aren't crippling pains, but they are there all the same and in all my life, i know I've never had any feeling like it before.

I went to the doctors about 2.5 weeks ago and she said she wasn't concerned, even though my urine has been dark, I have itchy hands and face, cloudy brain (and I'm always forgetful, but just seem more so than ever!), feet cramps and this aggravating liver pain 

So I went back about 10 days later and she ordered bloods, did a urine strip test and physically checked the liver area, but again, only gave me the bloods as I was pushing it. 

I had my blood results back s couple of days ago and ALT was 57, which is out of range for my doctors range. She has booked me in for an appointment Monday to discuss, but said again over the phone, not concerned. 

I am genuinely worried about my liver, i have never really looked after myself in respect of either alcohol, which stopped about 6 years ago, or with diet. I have long stages of either being super fit, or doing nothing at all. Carb free diet to eating McDonalds. I wouldn't say I'm overweight, but BMI index says I am. I'm fairly tall though, but it still says I'm 4kgs over. 

After getting my results, I started to get even sharper intermittent pain in liver. So I took it upon myself to have a Fibroscan today. It came back, as I understand it, ok for the fibrosis at 4.2kPa over 10 samples. However, my CAP has come back at 266m/db and has been identified as steatosis Grade S2, as it is above reference value of 220m/db.

I understand this is fatty liver disease   This has worried me immensely, especially as it very likely related to the abdomen/rib pain.

I have booked myself in for a private abdominal ultrasound as it is going to be six weeks for one on NHS and I need to know what is going on. 

So, this has led me here. I don't know whether my results are bad or very bad or anything. In between.

Is the 4.2kPa good?

Do people manage to reduce CAP? And does it take weeks/months/years. 

I often run, but hate doing it in winter. I do martial arts, but only now and again. I will be kickstarting my fitness again now (been pretty lazy since Christmas through injuries). That will be starting again tomorrow. 

I have read cortisone injections can cause fatty liver. I had two 6 weeks ago in two of my joints. Could these have elevated things?

I trained sat/sun/mon/tue and had bloods weds. Could this be the cause of the high ALT? There is no out of range AST or ALP. That still wouldn't explain fatty liver though. 

I'm due back at docs on Monday, bit she doesn't seem to be taking this serious at all. I've never had abdominal pain before, I know my body and I know something isn't right. 

Any advice/thoughts/help would be appreciated. 

Thanks. 

[jojokarak]

Hi first I am no good with numbers especially ones your saying.   Secondly stop reading Google and symptoms it really never does you any good and I can tell by reading your post that your in a complete flap,  I know it's hard waiting for answers but you really need to stay calm and collected.   Yes it would be awful if you got diagnosed with liver disease but your not going to drop dead,  you would have to deal with it like we all do on here.  You have to trust your doctor and if you don't you need to see another one.  Fatty liver disease is easily turned around by no alcohol,  food and diet and regular exercise it would take a while to turn it around but worth it in the long run.   (and relax more and deal with things when you have too) 

[jules45]

Hi, a very lengthy post, very informative may I say.  I get blinded by science I'm afraid but all I will say is I have regular ultrasounds as due to me having a very cirrotic liver I am on the radar for potential liver cancer in the future and an ultrasound can tell a lot so it is good you've arranged one.  Have you thought about gallstones as a possibility?  Just a thought.  Seeing your GP on Monday is a good start as well.  My ALT is and has been for a long time about 125 which I am told is good for me considering my damaged liver so 57 isn't too scary.  You will know more on Monday and this weekend will probably drag for you especially as you are worrying but you will be okay I'm sure.  You will get lots of replies to your post as this forum has some great people on here with excellent advice.  I've been on here for a year now and I don't google anything as many on here have a wealth of experience.  I've not been that helpful but the others on here will hopefully help you more.  Forgot to say welcome to you!!

Best of luck

julie

[Bolly]

4.2kpa is a reading for a healthy liver.

An ALT of 57 is of no concern as it is within range for some labs - acute liver damage would present with an ALT more like 500 or more.

You may well have fatty liver if you say your diet and weight could be improved - the cure for that is in your hands 100%, doctors dont have any magic pills for it.

Your stomach is  located on the left side of the upper abdomen, so any discomfort you have on the right side is not stomach pain.

If your liver is fatty and maybe slightly inflamed or enlarged that would account for discomfort on the right side.  Improving your diet and not drinking any alcohol should help.

If you have had a rubbish diet there are other parts of your digestive system under strain that could account for symptoms, so again, the cure is in your hands.

[briccolone]

yep like Bolly-liver results look good-a lot of people would give their right arms for fibroscans like that