Appointment with hep

[Shrimpette]

I went to see hep yesterday who said that I had fatty liver and in part some slight changes. The emphasis was on losing weight. I was asked to undertake some standard screening bloods and book a CT scan, again standard. Need to go back in 9mths. There was no mention of scarring, fibrosis or biopsy. Do I just accept this at face value?

[AyrshireK]

The CT scan will show them what's what and if any scarring, fibrosis or indeed cirrhosis are present it should pick them up. Also the bloods you've had today will tell the hep more and I would hope that you'd be able to contact the doctor to see what the results where so you don't wait nine months wondering.

As we've discussed previously fatty liver and fatty change are reversible so if you can keep up the new regime you started hopefully you'll see some positive change as you go along. If it was a hep you saw then they should know their stuff and be reliable on what they've told you.

Wishing you all the best. Katie

[Shrimpette in reply to AyrshireK]

Many thanks Katie. He was definitely a hep and my friend who accompanied me said the discussion was focused on fatty liver throughout.

[Jeannieb12]

I think I would be reassured by this. Mine was found by accident after coincidental blood tests. My GP never referred me to a hepatologist and I had to ask for an Ultrasound but I lost some weight, changed my diet slightly and at my last blood test last week all my levels were normal. It took 9 months of monthly surveillance bloods but I got there and I have no symptoms (I did have RUQ discomfort and nausea). My U/s revealed fatty changes and if my levels hadn't fallen I would have pushed for further investigations. I had a liver CT two years ago for another reason so all in all I think for the moment you can be reassured. The other changes I made were to avoid alcohol completely although I was never much of a drinker anyway and I stopped taking regular paracetamol (I have knee osteoarthritis). It is a very frightening place at the beginning and you still worry and seek answers everywhere. See how you go. Hope this helps and I wish you good luck Jean X

[Shrimpette]

Many thanks Jeannieb12. I think when you're worried these appointments are like an out of body experience! When you say yours was found by accident, do you mean your fatty liver? I am going to focus on my diet and exercise and try to be positive. I don't have URQ pain. In the main ULQ pain. I don't drink alcohol, haven't for years. Most of my bloods are in the normal range Barr one which is slightly elevated. Thank you. x

[briccolone]

Which bloods are elevated ggt?

[Shrimpette]

No, just my ALP, very slightly