Mr JA

[liverdiseaseOK]

Have been diagnosed with liver scarring but have normal LFTs and no portal hypertension or varices and consultant does not want to see me for another year, so I don't know how serious my condition is.

[Veeyares]

Your consultant has given a correct advice.Wait and watch since you have no other symptoms or abnormal findings

[Hidden]

Yup, sounds about right. They give you a diagnosis with scant details and tell you to come back in a year. That's why this site is so busy, people need to know what might happen and what to look for. Unfortunately there are so many types of liver problems that it's impossible to advise you unless we are privy to your medical notes. As a fellow sufferer all I can advice is do a lot of research and if you have any specific questions come back and ask. I'd love to tell you what will happen but your consultant is the only one with the answers to that one and he would probably need a crystal ball. Sadly it is very much a wait and see game but if you arm yourself with all the possibilities you will be ready "if" any of them happen. Just know that you are definitely not alone and we all try to help each other.

[Hidden]

Did they give you an idea of the level of scarring? Did you have a fibroscan?

[liverdiseaseOK in reply to Hidden]

Is there a difference between a fibroscan and an ultrasound scan?

[Hidden in reply to liverdiseaseOK]

A fibroscan detects the density of the liver basically checking how hard it is this can tell them how damaged it has become. Ultrascan just shows a basic image so doctors can see if it's changed in shape

Well that's basically what I was told anyway

Hope it helps

Mike 😀

[liverdiseaseOK in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Mike

[PaulDavid]

I agree with awayfromyou, if you have not had a fibroscan, request one. Not sure what caused the scarring but it is very important to stop all alcohol intake, all the best!

[AyrshireK]

My worry about being sent off for another year without follow up is what has caused your liver scarring? Have they identified this and given you guidance as to how you can stop or reverse the inflammation/scarring. If it's alcohol then there is an obvious route going forward i.e abstinence but if it has been caused by some other illness then it might need treatment.

[liverdiseaseOK in reply to AyrshireK]

No they haven't identified the cause, It was picked up as a result of CT scan I had monitoring a blood condition I have. I have been on statins for years and consequently get regular LFTs but none have ever suggested a problem. I have now had an ultrasound scan which appears to confirm there is an issue and a gastroscope which found everything normal: no portal hypertension and no varices. Aso told my liver is doing everything required of it. Simply told that whatever the cause I should abstain from alcohol. Not that that is a problem, as I am not a heavy drinker. However, I am an 83 year old and see little point in a monastic life style at my time of life.

[AyrshireK in reply to liverdiseaseOK]

In that case just live life to the full, at 83 your liver has seen lots of life's actions. You've no symptoms from your scarred liver so go ahead and carry on doing what you're doing and many best wishes to you.

Katie

[liverdiseaseOK in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks, Katie, now told NAFLD, but that does not explain the cause. Have never smoked, eat well, no junk food, and drink moderately. Just old age methinks.