Confused about diagnosis

[TyiseChar1]

Can a doctor just tell me that I have cirrhosis from blood work? I'm confused because he's sending me for a liver ultrasound after already saying I have it from seeing my blood work results!

[AyrshireK]

I don't think a doctor could 100% confirm cirrhosis from a set of blood tests, yes they can tell that Liver Function Tests are deranged and it might indicate advanced liver ill health. The ultrasound should confirm diagnosis (or indeed rule it out).

My hubby was hospitalised due to late stage symptoms (massive upper GI bleed from burst varices) - we had no idea at all he was as poorly as he was. Deranged LFT's then ultrasound confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis.

Katie

[TyiseChar1 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for the insight

[Hidden]

Unless your doctor has x-ray vision he can't tell for certain if you have cirrhosis. Blood tests measure liver function at the time of the test not liver damage. Your blood test result for example could indicate that your liver is severely inflamed and/or has significant fibrosis but isn't yet cirrhotic. Your doctor is jumping the gun & making an educated guess based on your blood test result, his professional experience & whatever history you've told him about.

An ultrasound may determine if your liver is cirrhotic by revealing if your liver is enlarged, shrunken or there is visible damage but it may miss signs of cirrhosis that are subtle.

A FibroScan is a non-invasive way to determine if a liver is fibrotic or cirrhotic & is considered pretty good at determining if a liver is cirrhotic but not as good for determining the degree of fibrosis a liver has especially lesser levels of fibrosis.

A biopsy remains the gold standard way of determining if a liver is cirrhotic.

Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis and Liver Disease:

"Many exciting breakthroughs have been made that have enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of these imaging studies. However, even these advanced techniques don't tell the whole story of what's going on with the liver. It is very important to understand that the liver is a master of camouflage. Even people with severe liver disease and cirrhosis may have normal imaging studies. This is a key point to remember, and it bears repeating. Sonograms, CT scans, and MRIs can look totally normal at any stage of liver disease. That is why doctors have come to rely on the liver biopsy as the gold standard for evaluating liver disease."

[TyiseChar1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the insight

[TyiseChar1]

Thank you both for the info my blood work wasn't really that bad but I am kind of worried gamma was 279 plus last Dr tested me for all hepatitis viruses, and HIV, both negative with my liver still being the center of attention with anemia and low platelets I can expect something especially being an ex alcoholic over 15 years drinking everyday been sober 7 years hope that makes a little difference in this process appreciate your responses!