Alcoholic liver disease diagnosis

[Oxman]

Am sure I will be diagnosed with this. Have drunk regularly and I guess it’s taken it’s toll. RHS upper back ache and tenderness especially when bending or stetching. Feel run down and like my libido is low, urine strong colour but no obvious jaundice to date. Ascites - well I have a bit of a belly not sure if it’s just my fat though. Will be waiting for result of liver function tests. Stopped drinking. Have a wife and children. Pray for me or feel free to share / offer any advice. I know others on here have huge problems of their own. Just seeking support I guess. N

[Morton365]

What is your problem if you have one' be more clear

[Hidden]

Ok, nartingstall. Before you jump into assumption about ALD, how old are you, how long and how much had you've drank in your days? LFTs are not a good diagnosis for detecting ALD. What you will need is an ultrasound followed by a contrasted CT scan in the abdominal area and giving your Dr. your drinking history and symptoms. The Ultrasound detects moderate damage done to the organs through radioactive waves while a CT scan gives a clear picture of what the organs currently looks like, so US alone is not reliable. If your CT scan is unremarkable, you may have something else going on with your gastrointestinal tract. Good luck and feel better.

[Oxman in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks Birdie, am almost 50 and been drinking on and off since 18 , but much more due to depression in last 18 months, maybe a bottle of wine most nights. But my back is aching and tender in places across liver. I am hoping it’s a temporary flare up if possible and all will be fine but my heart knows I need to be very lucky for it to be the case. Will post when I have definite results and thanks for info. Will be pressing for ct scan.

[Hidden in reply to Oxman]

Back aching could be many other things unrelated to drinking, perhaps you have tight muscles or a backache need some exercise. Pain that is felt in your liver area can be dozens of other things other than the liver. US and CT scan are the best diagnosis. You can only request for an US and if there is further concerns, the GP will appoint you to a CT scan. Ask for CT scan with contrast so the doctors can get a vivid image of your scan. They feed you Barium overnight and several hours before your examination that goes through your blood stream and give your organs a magnetic "coating" for the CT Scan to take vivid pictures of your organs. Great luck to ya.

[briccolone]

Agree with birdie -don’t assume anything-get some proper tests done and don’t self diagnose- good luck