Stressing out

[Billy000]

Hi

I'm 31 years old. My cholesterol is 6.3 ALT 133. I've just seen my ultrasound results saying I have enlarged liver of 21.4cm with fatty changes? I don't really drink and I'm not over weight. Any ideas or help? I'm stressing. Thank you.

[Pheebe]

My CT scan said mine was 22 cent. should be between 7-10. My Dr. has not called to talk about it. my results get emailed to me. Not sure whether to worry or not.

[Billy000 in reply to Pheebe]

I find it strange that my GP didn't tell me about the scan either. My results have come back in one day which worries me. I've only seen it because its scanned through onto my medical records.

[Hidden]

Consider changing GPs as well as overhauling your lifestyle. The fact that you are stress prone isn't an excuse for your GP withholding information with regards to health problems that you can do something about.

Never drink alcohol again & avoid non-prescription drugs e.g. painkillers & recreational drugs. If you aren't exercising regularly start by taking up walking & maybe some basic muscle building exercises.

Cholesterol of 6.3 can be lowered through lifestyle changes.

Have a look at the diet in the following link.

drmcdougall.com/

You could add a small amount of very lean meat several times a week to make it more palatable & it should still work. Adopting a diet like the one in the link should see your cholesterol drop into the normal range. The alternative is to be put on a statin to lower cholesterol but that would likely exacerbate your enlarged inflamed liver. Following the diet along with exercising & avoiding liver stressors could also help your liver to settle down & dissolve some of the fatty infiltration.

Get a referral to a hepatologist or gastroenterologist for further evaluation of your liver e.g. a FibroScan & MRI of your liver. An enlarged liver like you have might be due to more than just fatty liver. If it is just due to fatty liver lifestyle changes may stop it progressing or even reverse some of the damage.

As for stress regular exercise & good quality sleep should help. Keeping active & gradually making lifestyle changes should leave you less time for worry. I'm stress prone & have major health worries but I'm doing what I can to look after myself & staying positive by following my interests rather than wasting time worrying excessively over things I can't change.

[Billy000 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that's really useful. I find out that my cholesterol was high 1.5 years ago and I wasn't told (previous GP).

I suffer from IBS and bowel urgency so the food I have been eating has been limited to what I can tolerate but evidently not the healthiest. I take lots of loperamide to manage.

I have started to change my diet since I found out. I wouldn't have thought a cholesterol of 6.3 would cause it to be that enlarged.

[Hidden]

Hi Billy,

You may want to re-visit your doctor and request more information about these results and if they are diagnosing you with anything?

If you do have a fatty liver then you could also discuss fibrosis testing- to see if there is any stiffness/ scarring.

You may also want to discuss a referral on to a liver speciaist who will be able to give you more information and guidance.

If you are in the UK you could call our helpline for a chat on 0800 652 7330 10am to 14.45 .

We hope you find the forum a supportive place to visit

Trust1

[Billy000]

Unfortunately I have tried to see my GP who have refused to see me for another three weeks. Despite me and them not knowing the cause they are considering it routine.

I think I will call the helpline. Thank you.