Blood Results

[Chaibooboo]

So I got my blood results today, they came back as 'no further action' so I assume this means they are all clear? Surely if I had Cirrhosis it would show in my bloods?

[AyrshireK]

Hi again Chaibooboo. This is all very puzzling. What is the history behind your tests and the doctor telling you that you had cirrhosis? Have you had any scans, biopsy or symptoms.

Katie

[Chaibooboo in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, I went to the GP as I was suffering from right abdominal pain on and off for around a year. Dr said she thought it may be gallstones so sent me for a Ultrasound. At the scan, they said no stones but changes/nodules on my liver. When I saw the Dr the next day, she said Cirrhosis. I asked what other possibilities and she she didn't give me any, just said that the scan indicates it IS Cirrhosis and she is referring me to the liver specialist. I am very confused!

[AyrshireK in reply to Chaibooboo]

Ultrasound changes and findings would normally be conclusive as a diagnosis of cirrhosis - certainly my hubby had an ultrasound on his first admission to hospital and it clearly showed cirrhosis (plus he was displaying advanced stage symptoms).

I am glad you are still being referred to liver specialist - that is the correct course of action and once you see him/her they should start to try and identify the cause of your liver changes

If these were just a set of liver function test blood results you've had then yes they can be normal even with cirrhosis and there will be little that your GP can do hence the no further action message. If your liver is compensated which it probably is if you arn't displaying any major symptoms then your liver is coping and hence the normal blood results.

Have you had any guidance as to the approximate waiting time until you see a liver specialist? I know it's hellish having to wait when you don't have any current answers but all I can suggest is you try your hardest not to stress (stress can exacerbate liver conditions) and try to look after your liver the best you can as you wait. Do check out the BLT page on Living with a liver condition and it will give you good guidance on looking after your liver as you await the appointment. britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Again keep in touch.

Katie

[Chaibooboo in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie xx

[briccolone in reply to AyrshireK]

Reading this must be a bit of concern to people whose bloods are normal but who don't have a diagnosis but yet are not being referred on for further investigation. Not questioning it at all as you're the fount of all knowledge on these things but it's difficult with people new to it and posting on this site. If this is normal practice by gps then it's a bit of a concern. I'm making a general point here not this case in particular.

[AyrshireK in reply to briccolone]

This lady was displaying symptoms, she has had a scan and blood tests. The scan has showed changes within the liver and she has been referred on which is what you'd hope a GP would do. The fact she has normal blood results isn't uncommon - my hubby has known cirrhosis, has spent time on the transplant list and now has nornal blood results (hence his removal from the TP list). He still has symptoms but these arn't reflected in blood test results.

If people have symptoms then they should see their GP, if blood tests come back normal yet symptoms persist they should push for follow up - a scan, repeat bloods etc.

Sadly it is not uncommon for liver disease to be missed - my hubby never had any ill health and was fit & active. He was diagnosed with stress by a GP in January 2010 following bouts of chronic fatigue, nose bleeds and such like but he was caring for his father (with dementia) at the time and struggling. No bloods were taken. Then wham April 2012, variceal bleed, diagnosis of advanced cirrhosis, transplant list 2014, delisted 2015 and now considered 'stable'. So it does happen.

If any poster has repeated normal blood test results & yet symptoms that might suggest something liver related is going on then they should PUSH for further tests and follow up.

LFT's are only a small set of bloods and can be fairly normal even in advanced liver disease. A full liver panel would give a better picture (its about 16 vials of blood and they do it frequently during t/p assessment). Scanning would also be ideal.

If in doubt get checked out and push for tests - you know your own body and know when something isn't right.

Katie

[briccolone in reply to AyrshireK]

Yes agree with all that...you can see how it goes wrong though with gps saying bloods are good -nothing to see here!

[AyrshireK in reply to briccolone]

Indeed which is why I stress if you feel something is wrong but it isn't reflected in bloods then you must push for follow up - especially where there are symptoms. My hubbies was obviously missed because he had blood tests previously and doctors even remarked on his skinny frame but it was never followed up.

[briccolone in reply to AyrshireK]

How's he doing actually?

[AyrshireK in reply to briccolone]

He is very low all the time, chronic fatigue, often has to rest or go back to bed during the day. Lack of drive or enthusiasm and gets very muddled - he struggles with conversations and making himself understood, he's made mistakes with meds, can't keep to task or follow instructions. He is very slow in movement. Would rather stay at home (with a loo & bed close at hand) than go out at all. His Dad recently died and we had to go to England to deal with all that (& sadly a family who don't comprehend just how poorly he is). He just feels like he is treading water, stagnating. Years are going by being wasted and he just feels helpless. He isn't outwardly poorly looking - no jaundice, no ascites all of which we are grateful for but quality of life is rather poor. We do what we can, when we can and we try to make the most of good days. At the moment he has a cold so that's taking a while to shift - only taking honey to help with the cough and a few paracetemol.

Weight wise he's stable at 11 stone which docs are happy with (having gone up from 8 1/2 stone). Sees local gastro consultant every 6 months and Edinburgh consultant on the alternate 6 months so sees a doc every 3 months for monitoring. Yearly endoscopy (all clear of varices since May 2014 after 42 bands) and 6 monthly ultrasounds.

All just ticking along, watching and waiting.

Katie

[briccolone in reply to AyrshireK]

Dear me that's not great for either of you. All the best really k

[soooze50 in reply to AyrshireK]

Katie, you are so knowledgeable and so compassionate when responding to posts on this forum. Your own world is a daily struggle, make sure there is time for you away from the carer's world where you will be constantly giving from your heart. It is exhausting, so refuel your tank with something which makes you smile inside and out..thank

you for sharing so much with us, even way down under in NZ..hugs Soooze

[AyrshireK in reply to soooze50]

Thanks Sooze, Hubby and I have a touring caravan which we and our little cat head off in from time to time. I also run my own little business where believe it or not I visit schools dressed in all manner of period costumes and present history displays for classes which is a real buzz. I am also a volunteer police officer although I have been unable to do as many shifts as I used to do since hubby fell ill I still enjoy time doing that. I also have an extremely supportive family so all things liver isn't my only occupation in life. I love doing arts and crafts and living history & last weekend I spent the weekend living as a Viking at a local reenactment event.

Thanks for your lovely comments. All the best to you too.

Katie xx

[Sootynose in reply to briccolone]

Hi, my husband had an ultrasound, and ct scan none of which picked up his cirrhosis. It wasn't until he had a fibro scan which shows stiffness in the liver that he got a diagnosis of cirrhosis. He had symptoms of cirrhosis like acites (fluid on the abdomen), swollen ankles and muscle wasting. It took 10 months to get a diagnosis. For some reason he wasn't prescribed diuretics for around 9 months but once he was the acites subsided and he felt so much better. He got his appetite back, he could walk further, faster. He is still waiting for an appointment to see a heptologist and dietitian, which is frustrating as I have read that diet is one of the main ways of caring for some one with cirrhosis. Thank goodness for the Internet and The British Liver Trust for providing us with advice and information sadly lacking from our consultants and GP. I have found a useful book which can be downloaded called 'the liver loving diet' by Karen Hoyt. I wonder if anyone can recommend any other sites or books with recipies. I think what I set out to say was don't be afraid to ask about what other tests and scans are available. Also my husband wishes he had pushed for diuretics earlier. We had read they were a common treatment for acites but don't really know why he wasn't given any for so long as it made such a difference.

[Miche49uk in reply to Chaibooboo]

I was under the impression that ultrasounds are not good enough to diagnose Cirrhosis, years ago they told me I had it and in the end I payed to see a private consultant, she said just looking at you I don't believe you have it or even need further tests.. the NHS ordered a further US which by then was normal and so I sent the letter and a letter from myself querying their diagnosis and they removed it and apologised!

[Chaibooboo in reply to Miche49uk]

That's awful that they put you through that!! I would love to get a second opinion but unfortunately money is not in my favour! How long did you think you has Cirrhosis for? And was it purely through an US that they diagnosed? x

[Miche49uk in reply to Chaibooboo]

Hiya Chaibooboo it was a fair while ago and I'd been in hospital having a detox and obviously had elevated bloods in terms of liver function and only had an ordinary ultrasound and because I have generalised anxiety I prefer facts so had already read a lot about various things of a liver nature, by no means an expert, but enough to know that those tests couldn't give a true diagnosis of Cirrhosis and so the letter back from them stated that it was because I had been in a rush to be discharged and therefore written by another doc that they'd put that and would remove it. Nobody wants a misdiagnosis such as that because it causes massive worry and fear as well as being g on your medical records for good! Like anything of a health nature whether for me or family I will question if I think something isn't right... it's not that I'm pompous or arrogant I just need true facts and can't cope with uncertainty

[Chaibooboo in reply to Miche49uk]

That's awful!! My diagnosis just doesn't add up. I am not a heavy drinker, ok so been been drinking more over passed year, but i don't drink everyday, and I mix my wine with Lemonade. I have been cleared of Hep C and whilst I am aware of other causes, it just doesn't add up to me. The US took about 5 mins and that was my diagnosis! I am awaiting to see a liver specialist. I hope you are ok xx

[Miche49uk in reply to Chaibooboo]

Seems a tad rushed but I'm no specialist, GPs can only do so much in the short window of time that they have, hopefully the consultant will shed more light for you and with Fibroscans available now I would personally ask for one or see what they say.. i had one today and found it less uncomfortable than a normal ultrasound and quicker.. with instant figures on the screen. It didn't measure fat in liver as some can but gave me the figure measuring stiffness in your liver which was a good figure but again it gets fed back to consultant but I'd like to think with it combined with other tests recently including a now normal ultrasound and bloods my Hepatitis was acute and now gone. Many things can cause liver issues not just alcohol, diabetes, viruses, poor diet, medications, fatty liver to name a few... its good you don't drink every day, they always say to try and have 3 or so days a week alcohol free I think. I also think everyone is different, I know people that have drunk every day for years and so far had no issues that are visible but....and that's the thing with our poor old livers.. with no nerve endings we get less early signals that our bodies aren't coping! Eek!

[Hidden]

Hihope you see specialist soon, it's awful the length of time we have to wait. Please take care. Lots of love Lynne xxxx