Does having AIH automatically mean that cirrhosis will occur at some point.

[gertrudestein]

I was diagnosed in April, aged 71, prescribed Pred (now down to 9mg) and Aza (discontinued pro tem as it caused vomiting) but I feel almost as well as before I became ill in February.

[AyrshireK]

If the AIH is controlled and inflammation levels are not elevated then the liver shouldn't be being attacked so cirrhosis is not a forgone conclusion. However, as in my hubbies case he never even knew he had the AIH and was never symptomatic right up to the point he already had cirrhosis with advanced symptoms. He never received any treatment for AIH and now that he has cirrhosis he is only on 5mg pred daily and no immune suppressant.

Katie

[gertrudestein in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie. I was supposed to have a biopsy when I was first diagnosed but my platelet count was too low to risk it. It hasn't been mentioned since but I am seeing the consultant in 10 days so maybe more will be revealed.

[AyrshireK in reply to gertrudestein]

My hubby had a platelet count of only 20 at the point of his 2nd biopsy and he had to go in the day before for a platelet transfusion and then had a transjugular biopsy which is the safer method for patients with a risk of bleeding.

You definitely need to know the state of play with your liver. What are your inflammation markers sitting at ? (ALT/AST). If you still have ongoing inflammation then you are at risk of potentially more damage.

Katie

[gertrudestein in reply to AyrshireK]

AST stable at 28 and ALT stable at 14 i.e for at least the last two months. Leucocytes and platelets still hovering on the border line of the good range - the only weird one is the uric acid reading which is still high though going down because I developed gout in my thumb! Inconvenient and painful but substantially better now.

[Hidden]

Good morning gertrudestein,

As our other lovely forum member AyrshireK has said, having Auto Immune Hepatitis (AIH) does not automatically mean you will develop cirrhosis. AIH is a vey individual condition and there is no set path.

What is important for you is to ensure that you are monitored and reviewed regularly to be pro active should you develop a 'flare'

I have included a link to AIH and liver disease tests explained, which may be useful in helping you to form your questions for your consultation next week.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

I hope this is helpful

Best wishes

Trust9

[gertrudestein in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Trust9. I read the leaflets as soon as I joined this forum but it does help to be reminded especially when this is all new to me.