What are nodules on the liver? - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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What are nodules on the liver?

jojo23pink profile image
62 Replies

Im sure the doc mentioned little tiny nodules when they told me i had fatty liver. It dont make any sense they said its fatty liver and used infiltration and steatosis but also one doc said little nodules i read little nodules are something far more worse but they would tell me if it was anything else and wouldt definately say "fatty liver" unless they trana kill me off haha

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jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink
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62 Replies
Mama41 profile image
Mama41

Liver nodules could be benign or cancerous.Try and get a hold of the scan report,that will tell you whether you heard it or not.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Mama41

I think i got it wrong because if they did say this i will have gone into great detail and asked for more tests if they said this....they pacifically said fatty liver im at the doc in morn and will ask again im sure if they said nodular then they would have sent me for something else

in reply to jojo23pink

Hey jojo. Take a notepad and pen to your appointments so you can write down exactly what they say. It will help you

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

It stayed in my head they said fatty liver steatosis infiltratio lol must have got confused about the nodules because if it was nodules am sure it wunt just be left alone ?x

Best not to assume so I'd double check with them. Better to be safe than sorry.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

Well i will but if it was nodules they cant just not do anything i will check 2mz but sure they just said fatty liver if was nodules that wunt have left my head and id have been online lol and gone bk to doc long before now dnt know why it popped up il see that doc 2mz lol

in reply to jojo23pink

How long ago was it that you were given the fatty liver diagnosis?

How long ago did they give you the fatty liver diagnosis?

Sorry message went through twice .... WiFi probs !

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

Lol its ok was feb this year

in reply to jojo23pink

Quite a while then really so hopefully fatty liver is your only problem at the moment. And you've laid off the booze since your diagnosis ?

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

3months i wunt say too long...Since been diagnosed i have drank alcohol but not as i use to and i have skipped a few week then drank a few units then skipped a few week then drank a few units. Im only 27 and i have fatty liver a brain aneurysm and arthritis in my fukin thumb!!! Lol

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to jojo23pink

Sorry 28 lol my bday was last week haha

in reply to jojo23pink

You're still very young !

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

I know. I feel really tired all time so thats another thing that worries me but maybe its part of been a mother and running round after 3 kids all day i will get the doc to refer me for scan and fibroscan u have to tell these doc these days cos askin dont help lol

in reply to jojo23pink

Just make sure you cooperate with the docs and do as they say. They are much more likely to help you if you show them you care about your health. If you don't look after yourself to recover they can't help you either it's a 2 way thing. Let me know how you get on tomorrow . Take care x

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

Yes i do co operate but half the time doctors aint right and its hard to take in what they say when many of them tell u diff things. They know i care about my health as im always at the doctors lol x

in reply to jojo23pink

That's why I suggest you take a pen and notepad so you can write down what each of them say every time you go which will then avoid confusion and it's also worth taking a friend or family member who can listen aswell.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

Thanks x

in reply to jojo23pink

I mean 3 months is a long time to leave you if you do have nodules on your liver which makes me think you dont. So just the fatty liver is hopefully the only problem you have with it. Fingers crossed for your docs appointment tomorrow then 👍

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to

Oh yes id sue the c**** if they did that to me lol but i did say if there was a growth or mass wud u have seen it and they said yes am sure the ultrsound would have picked it up they use them all time for a lot of things. im a hypercondriact really bad always at doc its ridiculous. Yes hopefully only fatty liver but im worried about cirrhosis only cos iv read that mild scars may not show on ultrasound😯i will let u no wot doc says 2mz lol

Porphyriamaniac profile image
Porphyriamaniac in reply to jojo23pink

Hi jojo23, I think you'll be fine,I get tired with fatty liver too and your bloods aren't raised which is a good thing. I've been diagnosed just over a year. I've not even had a 2nd ultrasound yet, got one coming up june, all I've had is repeat bloods, my alt is still raised so I assume the fats still there? I've a couple of other issues aside from the fatty liver mind. I'm not sure the Dr will refer you for a fibroscan with mild fat infiltration and normal blood enzymes but if he does throw his number my way n sign me up with him please! 😂 😉 hope you get on ok tomoz. xxxx

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Porphyriamaniac

Aww sorry to hear that. Glad someone else in the same boat as me lol..what did your doc say about fatty liver and reversing it? Was it caused by alcohol and r u still drinking? Lol. Im not sure if the fat is still there best to get ur scan to see and i am gonna beg my doc for fibroscan cos i dnt wana rely on an ultrsound alone when iv read an ultrasound might not see early scarring but am guessin if it sees tiny growth etc then y not scars.. haha its a leeds doctors im from leeds 😃

Porphyriamaniac profile image
Porphyriamaniac in reply to jojo23pink

He said watch carbs, sugar n fat, lose a few pounds, excercise etc,usual drill. People think 'fatty liver' caused by fat but it's the sugars that are the devil! Obvs high fat wont help either. Official diagnosis is 'diffuse fatty liver' nafld, so not caused by alcohol, although that can't be totally ruled out unless I have a biopsy but I'm pretty sure my moderate weekend drinking hasn't helped matters at all,ive packed it in for now as im loading iron and Dr told me I must not drink any till I see specialist. As I said I've a couple of other issues that could be contributing to the fatty liver aswell. Honestly though, if your next ultrasound is ok n your bloods are clear I wouldn't worry. Not far from me lass,I live in wakefield! Maybe i will see your doc if he refers you! 😂 good luck anyway, keep us posted. Xxxx

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Porphyriamaniac

If you only drank moderately b4 then doubt its from alcohol they base it on ur alcohol history. So if u hardly drank then it can be caused by ur diet etc. Mine is alcoholic lol from drinkin too much at one time vodla jd the lot hha nt good like but part of life drink and enjoy pmsl. Im cuttin dwn a lot me cos dnt wana end up with cirrhosis. Just try eat healthy n ye exercise etc moderate drink shunt make it worse but high alcohol intake can make it worse even if alcohol aint the culprit lol wakefield i no the place my granny nt too far and am thinkin bowt movin over there lol😃😅

Porphyriamaniac profile image
Porphyriamaniac in reply to jojo23pink

I understand what your saying but aside from the fatty liver, the condition I've also been diagnosed with (porphyria cutanea tarda) and another genetic one (hereditary haemochromatosis) (rate mouthful innit! 😂) that I'm being tested for could make me more susceptible to damage from alcohol, even small amounts could affect me more than most people, so I'm not sure if my moderate drinking is a contributory factor in it? Maybe, maybe not. Honestly, the fatty liver is the least of my worries as I've done all I can to help it. It's not too bad wakey, some rough bits like anywhere but there's worse I reckon. Xxxx

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Porphyriamaniac

Int half lol gonna go on mr google in morn lol. Need to get up early got doctors😅well moderate drinkin shunt make things worse bt read about it 1st. fuk never havin a glass again even a sip is refreshin lol. hope al goes well lv il chat t u in morn after iv googled them mouthful conditions lol and my area is like romania now😬😭😅take cre night lol xx

Porphyriamaniac profile image
Porphyriamaniac in reply to jojo23pink

I got told to drink nothing once they found the excess iron,gp rung me to express it specifically, have a look at my other posts it might explain things better. I did read up on it n it's not a good idea for me to drink even moderately, maybe in the future I can have a couple, if genetic tests come back ok and I've no damage, but if not I'll be fine with it. Good luck tomoz. It's pretty much like Romania here too love 😁 night night. xxxx

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Porphyriamaniac

But ye il keep u posted u keep me posted too lol x

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to jojo23pink

And make sure they keep check of blood pressure high cholesterol and diabetes if u r diabetic

Please let us know how you get on at the drs. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3

Hi again, I don't know if you know or not ( I'm assuming you don't because you haven't mentioned it, ) but cirrhosis presents as either micronodular or macronodular which basically means 'big bumps' or 'little bumps'. The nodules ARE the scarring that turn to cirrhosis. I hope you're wrong and misheard the doctor. I need to say this so please do not jump down my throat: you're 28, you have kids, you have an aneurysm and, at best, you have fatty liver. How were these nodules found? U/S, CT, biopsy etc. If it was U/S then it could be cirrhosis because it shows very distinctly on the scan. The doctor would NOT have mentioned it if they weren't there. My point is; I don't think you are stupid but I cannot understand why, with your serious conditions, you are not listening. You approached us, remember? You've had advice from people who've experienced the full effects of cirrhosis - from both patients and their loved ones. This is NOT a game you can walk away from when you are bored or scared. How do you think you'll feel when, one day, your kids are screaming and shouting and you can hear them but don't understand and you've wet and messed yourself where you're sat but do nothing because although you know something isn't quite right, you don't why or what to do about it. Think I'm exaggerating?? Well, I'm not and that is just one of many possible scenarios if you don't stop drinking. Do you really need to drink? We all thought we did and look at us now. Please stop treating us as opponents. We really do want to help you, love. Personally, if I can help prevent what happened to me and mine happening to someone else, then I'll die a happier man. Please read, sit back and think not just about yourself but your family too. Cirrhosis is a living hell for all concerned, and if you continue as you are then you are at high risk. Please listen, love, it's not a game. Take care.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to BSA-3

Thanks i am listening and im only a moderate drinker not drinking loads i drank way too much b4 and that is what caused the fat. I wasnt bang on it but drank loads in one sitting way too much for my liver to cope with. I have had weeks of no alcohol and when i do drink i will moderately drink. My doc told me today that there are no nodules so i misheard it he showed me the report he did say that it dont matter what ur liver looks like as long as it works and functions y care thats not what i belive but only wot he told me thanks 4 msg reply wen u cn all the best and yes i have a tiny aneurysm wot i cunt care less about given the fact they are keepin an eye on it doing yearly or 2 yearly mri scans and when they found it it was 2.3mm and it is still 2.3mm so no change there thank god

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to jojo23pink

Hi jojo23pink, that is certainly good news. You've had the amber light flashing - a warning. Please just remember that a flashing amber can be followed by a red as well as a green. It really is entirely up to you. I wish you nothing but the best of both good health and luck. Take care love.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to BSA-3

Thank you same to you xx

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to jojo23pink

Thank you jojo23pink

RonShirt profile image
RonShirt

Following a diagnosis of Cirrhosis of the liver last year I had another ultrasound scan done and they said I had nodules forming. I was told that these could be a sign that the liver was trying to heal itself. I'm now due for an MRI scan, so fingers crossed.

Ron

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to RonShirt

Hello Ron. 👋

I am assuming nodules are a small mass or lesion? Forgive me if I'm wrong. I've never heard that nodules are a sign of the liver trying to heal itself. This is new to me. They can be caused by obesity, cirrhosis, Hepatitis B or C or Hemochromatosis. They can also be of no consequence. It's good you're getting them checked out.

All the best.

Cas 🌸

RonShirt profile image
RonShirt in reply to Caspiana

Well, I don't know. I can only tell you what the liver specialist told me - so far as I know I could have liver cancer and they want to break it gently to me! Anyway it looks as if I'll be having an MRI scan which, as I understand it, is more revealing than and ultrasound scan. I think I'm right in saying that 'nodules' are little lumps of tissue; how or why they would form I've no idea!

Ron

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to RonShirt

I hope it turns out well for you Ron. Hang in there. 🌻

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to Caspiana

Hello Caspiana, the liver will always try to heal itself after every insult and therein lies the problem. The repeated healing process builds scar tissue on top of scar tissue which leads to decreased blood flow ( Portal Hypertension, ) fibrosis ( stiffening of the liver, ) and eventually cirrhosis, which is End-stage Liver Disease. The reason it's irreversible is that it has usually progressed too far before diagnosis and removing the cause helps to slow it down and allow the liver to perform to the best of it's ability. If it's failed then in most cases a tx is the only option. I hope this helps. Take care

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to BSA-3

Thank you. 😊🌷

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to Caspiana

My pleasure.

Febeli57 profile image
Febeli57

Hello Joe Joe Your story sounds similar to mine I I got scared after reading the posts about those nodulars there was something about that in my liver biopsy. Report although no doctor ever really explained to me what it meant .I had mild fibrosis also Did you find out what they really mean I had fatty liver for the last 10 years and how did u find out about the aneurysm ? Sharp pain in the head maybe ?

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Febeli57

No nodules just diffuse mild fatty infiltration i was gettin stabbin pains in temple so told em want an mri thy said nothing severe can cause stabs its stress lol i got my way and had mri they found tiny brain annie 2.3mm very small too small to cause problems they said. Had recent scans etc no change

Febeli57 profile image
Febeli57 in reply to jojo23pink

There seems to be correlation between fatty liver and problems with the blood vessels plus heart later on may I ask do u have red eyes and vision problems too? Sorry for my bad English I'm from Germany

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Febeli57

Aww i like germans lol. I was told i had red eye where it m just sore and red but thats cos i wear loads of mascara lol and i do get pain around my eye i am actually awaitin an app for an mri on my eye lol nt sure hw that is performes hope i can blink lol

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Febeli57

U had mild fibrosis? What is ur liver like now?

Febeli57 profile image
Febeli57 in reply to jojo23pink

Yes mild on the biopsy but the fibroscan was 8.1 on some areas and 6.1 on other so I don't know how its doing right now doctors tend to say don't worry everything's fine I do everything by the book lost 20 kg working out just trying to stay alive to watch my 4 little babys grow up thats all u know.but I don't really feel better my gamma gt is elevated a little about 180 but that's all it's just all the side effects of a failing liver are to much I mean those stabbing pains on top of my head and dizziness drives me crazy you said something about atherosclerosis in ypor thumb? What does it cause pain in your thumb? I know I'm questioning a lot but I'm trying to learn something by talking to the only people who understand what I'm going through if you are truly only on the fatty liver level of the disease take it from me don't do like I did and take it lightly because fatty liver sounds kinda cute this is a horrible disease try not to drink even one drink anymore because I was not drinking a slot the last 8 years only every second weekend or so but if your liver is already fatty that is what gives it the rest

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Febeli57

So mild fibrosis and ur fibroscan was quite low which is good which means ur liver aint stiff i think. Cos it goes upto 70 plus i think so compared to ur readings thats good. They always say dont worry but its not them whos affected lol. Well if u dont make it any worse then im sure u can carry on as normal only will u feel worse if it gets worse but if the cause is eliminated then it cant poss get worse cn it? Yes stay strong and healthy for ur kids. Dnt no about gamma etc someone on here will lol. What is ur liver function? U might have mentioned it to me lol. What r the stabs from? Is the liver causin symptoms? Theybsaid it might be rheumatoid artheritis which is inflammation in thumb bone i had mri which showed this i am waitin to b referred to rheumatologist lol tick tock have u waitin ages. So u was drinkin for 8 years every second weekend but how much? What causes u to see doctor in first place my emglish worse than ures hahahaha and in english haha😅

in reply to Febeli57

That's so true. Any amount of drinking with fatty liver is a major hazard. ... forget government guidelines they are only interested in selling more alcohol to create more revenue. It's a poison ...it's addictive and it's a killer. ( know I watched it kill my husband) I wouldnt let a drop pass my lips I've to much respect for myself and my family. It's so sad to see so many people battling with their ill health and trying to get off the stuff.

I wish you well x

Febeli57 profile image
Febeli57

Also how do I keep check of high cholesterol the statins where one of the reasons which destroyed my liver now that I'm off it what else is there to lower cholesterol other than excercise and low fat diet

in reply to Febeli57

Remove added sugar too

Danisleigh profile image
Danisleigh

My son had a nodule on his liver discovered in 2015. First they diagnosed it as a regenerative nodule but it grew so they then said it was fatty infiltration but a few months ago under biopsy they said it had started to turn cancerous and diagnosed a HCC. So basically a nodule can be many things and some are harmless. Obviously nodules need careful monitoring for growth/change.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Danisleigh

And how is ur son now? Hope is ok really sorry to hear that. They shouldnt confuse a nodule with fat iv always read they are growths either benign ir malignant

Danisleigh profile image
Danisleigh in reply to jojo23pink

He is doing well thanks, he had a transplant in February and was back to work and college in April.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Danisleigh

Awww thats really good and no sign of the cancer? Does he have regular checks though to catch anything early so glad hes doin well and so lucky all the best to u and him

Danisleigh profile image
Danisleigh in reply to jojo23pink

I have asked them to put a plan in place to monitor him and they are consulting with an oncologist. I know they were surprised, I don’t think they often see HCC in kids his age with his condition But he will be transitioned to the adult hospital in the near future.

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Danisleigh

Well they always say cancer very rare in young adults kids etc but u see it all time so to me its common just make sure he goes for 3 monthly scans to check his liver as well as other places...all the best x

Abby14 profile image
Abby14

I have Liver Nodules & they are adomams are Are not cancer, I have regular MRI scans to check on them! & any Major changes they will quickly deal with them (at KIngs in London) Some of the nodules are chirrioss! Try not to worry you will be given tests to find out what they are, & they will deal with things. I have fatty liver to, which has got better with a change of diet & weight loss! Try & be as healthy as you can by Diet & gentle exercise,& get a copy of your scan!

jojo23pink profile image
jojo23pink in reply to Abby14

Thanks for ur msg are u or was a drinker? I will try get a copy but its like gettin blood out of a stone lol

Abby14 profile image
Abby14

No I am not a drinker never really been on. My cousin was an aloloholic :( & died 2 & half year ago at just 36! my liver problems where cause by taking the pill! For my pocs, helped that but damaged my liver! I always get sent any letter sent by my Gp & consulant & copies of scans! they just send them to me! I am gonna ask gp for blood results, I have the every 3 months. my Gp is fantasic :) All them at my surgry are! Having an Iron infuston, just waiting to hear when. Take care

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