High Scan reading help!

[Marcwinchester]

Hi all I got diagnosed with Hemochromatosis this year. My liver tests are ok with ALT the only one raised at 86. I have an ultrasound, then CT, then MRI and no disease was seen. However, I’ve had ferriscan today and my score was 33.4!!

Wow I’m panicking. I’ve stopped alcohol 2 mths ago.

[Grank]

Hi, I was diagnosed with hereditary haemachromatosis 30+ years ago.

My ferritin was more than 3,500 when diagnosed. I had been unwell for about a year, but back then they assumed I was an alcoholic because of my symptoms. I was bedridden, emaciated and yellow . I hadn’t touched alcohol for a year or more because of how I was feeling.

I had venesection (drawing of blood) every week for a couple of years. Refraining from alcohol, plus regular monitoring and the venesection treatment saw me through that last 30 years.

That I developed HCC/ liver cancer is not related to my hereditary haemachromatosis according to my consultant. After my liver resection, the pathology results showed that my cirrhosis was mild. My liver is compensated. My liver cancer is just bad luck. I didn’t have NASH or NAFLD. The pathologist suggested possible damage caused by painkillers as being causal (taken over a long period for osteoporosis).

For your haemachromatosis you will have regular blood tests to monitor your ferritin level. When it rises you will need venesection (I ended up having it just twice a year on average). You will be given medical advice to abstain from alcohol and eat sensibly. An ultrasound every 2/3 years to monitor the health of your liver is now strongly recommended.

No reason why you shouldn’t live a long and healthy life if you look after yourself!

Regards Grank

[Hidden]

Good morning Marcwinchester,

Unfortunatley no-one on this forum can comment on your specific test results and you should discuss these with your own doctor.

I have included links to British Liver Trust information regarding haemachromatosis and liver tests and investigations wwhich may provide guidance and support.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Also, there is a British Liver Trust helpline available which is answered by liver nurses. The helpline is open Mon-Fri 10am-14.45pm on 0800 652 7330 should you wish to discuss anything further.

Best wishes

Trust9