Recently had my yearly ultrasound as I have gallbladder polyps
I've been told I have a enlarged spleen and blood tests have shown high liver enzymes
Was told this is probably from alcohol
I dont drink during the day just few drinks in the evening
Doctor has now referred me to liver specialist and said I will probably have some special kind of ultrasound
Doctor has said my spleen is enlarged due to back pressure from my liver
Can anyone give me any info to what is happening?
Thanks
Hi there, I can only explain some of it. When your liver is attacked by drugs, alcohol, fatty diet or your own body, it causes damage to the liver and scars it . The liver is inflamed and enzyme levels increase because your liver is not working as well as it used to.
As scarring progresses, the blood flow through the liver becomes more limited and can cause pressure to build up in the vein supplying the liver. This vein is the portal vein.
If too much pressure builds up here, then the blood has to find alternative routes through the body. This is the back pressure the doc was referring to.
I don't know what is meant by a " special" ultrasound. The ultrasound will help confirm a number of issues, such as how large are your various organs, do you have raised pressure in the portal vein etc.
The BLT has a lot of articles that you might find useful to read and a helpline with nurses who are very knowledgable in this field.
Sorry, I can't remember about the spleen stuff.
Hope that helps. All the best.
Thanks for reply the scan is a fibro scan on my liver
Will any of these problems I have improve if lifestyle is changed?
A fibroscan will tell you how dense your liver is - how fibrotic - it will take a series of readings the average of which provides a kPa figure which can stage your liver damage. Most now will also provide a CAP score which will reveal if there is any fatty build up within the liver.
However, the doctor should take into account that you have deranged liver function tests - if your liver is currently inflamed as indicated if ALT, AST levels are elevated then fibroscan has the potential to give an inaccurate and too high reading.
It will depend on what stage your liver is at as to how recoverable it is. In lower stages it is considered curable with lifestyle changes or treatment to the underlying cause. If it has reached cirrhotic state then it will never fully recover although it is possible to make improvements and live a long life even with a scarred liver or cirrhosis.
Don't jump the gun at this stage - wait and see what the fibroscan reveals. Portal hypertension is the 'backing up of blood' as mentioned by your doctor is usually (but not always) a fairly advanced symptom and it can cause all sorts of other issues.
If you can knock the drink on the head totally now then you will give your liver a good chance.
Katie
Thanks for the reply
I was told a few years ago my spline was enlarged
Didn't tell me anything else wasn't sent for anymore tests ?
Cant understand doctors never seem to tell you much if anything at times
How long does it usually take for a fibroscan appointment?
Thanks
No idea on length of time for appointment - hubby has cirrhosis and has never had one. Obviously everything is up in the air just now with waiting lists etc. Hopefully they will get you in a.s.a.p. Start questioning your doctors, some won't give anything away unless prompted. You need to be proactive, once you know about your condition, learn more so you can ask pertinent questions and make the most of your consultations. Hubby and I go together, we make a list of current meds, current symptoms and questions we want to ask so that we get all the knowledge we need from doctors.
Katie
Thanks
Why has your hubby never had one? How did they diagnose cirrhosis? By ultrasound or biopsy?
How long has your husband had cirrhosis? How is he doing?
My hubby has been diagnosed since April 2012. His diagnosis came out of the blue when he started vomiting blood one night and in hospital he had an ultrasound, lots of bloods, an endoscopy and eventually a biopsy & from those it was obvious he had cirrhosis. He is life long t-total and his issues are due to auto immune liver disease. His bleeding was due to burst varices caused by portal hypertension - he underwent an aggressive banding regime, also had aneurysms on his spleen due to P/H. He was listed for transplant in 2014 but stabilized and was delisted in 2015.
He has issues but is stable and currently has none of the decompensated liver cirrhosis symptoms.
Katie
Ok that's good he is doing well now
Have they given you any information on if he will have future problems ?
I find it strange as my dad has had similar symptoms on and off through his life even when he was tea total other than the odd beer
So I'm wondering if it could be something hereditary?
I wouldn't say he's doing well as such but is making the most of each day as his energy levels and health allow. When he was delisted from transplant list we were told it wasn't a matter of if he'll need a t/p but when. So he will probably would need one at some point but he's currently stable so we make the most of that. He has issues with sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, cognitive function and such like.
Sometimes you can have a propensity for liver issues and if you've added to that 'a few drinks in the evening' then you might be drinking in excess of guideline levels and this can exacerbate underlying issues. If your father had liver issues/symptoms then it would be something I would be mentioning to your doctors for possible follow up.
Alcohol is only one cause of liver issues - there are countless others such as auto immune, hereditary, viral, lifestyle related even medications can cause liver issues.
Katie
Ok thanks
Only long term medication I have had was antibiotics I was on years when I was young for acne
I'm taking bisoprolol 2.5 now I'm not sure if this is due to liver ?
I will just have to wait for the fibroscan and specialist however long that will be
We wonder if it was a long term antibiotic my hubby took for acne which caused his issues. He has always been fit and healthy but his GP kept prescribing an antibiotic for adult acne. His AIH is deemed burned out which points to him having a liver injury in the past but no active inflammation now (which is an unusual presentation for AIH).
Wait for your appointments, antibody blood tests should reveal whether there is something auto immune going on.
Katie
Sleep deprivation? From insomnia? As I suffer from insomnia too
while ago I also suffered some episodes that I was told could be A fibrillation
Is this a sign of liver problems?
Hi I've always been t-total, except the odd glass of wine once or twice a year. I have always been overweight though. As I was adopted I had no idea if any of my numerous ailments were due to genetics, but over the past few years I have met members of my birth family and even though we are all of a similar body frame, none of them have suffered with issues with their liver. I had NASH, which went to cirrosis, portal hypertension and eventually Heptatic Encephalopathy. Which then made me require a liver transplant which after a year on the list I had 3 weeks ago. I asked in the beginning of my condition was heriditary, as my daughter is a similar build to me. and he said no, he elaborated that it was just had luck, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent the series of events. He said, however. it was exasperated by me being overweight, and I may have had a normal lifespan despite the liver damage. And would have probably died from an unrelated condition in old age.
I think with liver diease people always assume it's down to alcohol or drug abuse, but there are over 100 various medical conditions that can damage your liver, so it's probably better to not assume as your dad's symptoms are similar they are due to the same condition as the other person. Just ask your father's consultant who will be able to exactly diagnose the root of his problem, doctors don't always openly offer information because some people don't want to know, so if you are Frank with him about all of your fears then he will honestly give you the tryth, as it's their duty. Good luck and I wish you well.
I have cirrhosis and was also diagnosed with portal hypertension but at my last ultrasound at the end of January, I was told that the back-flow had reversed and the blood was flowing in the normal direction. This was after being alcohol free for about 8 months and also trying to eat healthily.
As well as affecting the spleen, if the portal vein cannot flow properly it can cause enlarged veins in the esophagus (varices) which can bleed. This is treated with medication or banding of the vessels.
I am not trying to panic you but just want to say that giving up alcohol will certainly help to reverse any damage and prevent any more.
Morning thanks for the reply
I wont be drinking again
I spoke to a surgeon when I had my last ultrasound and he told me about the bleeding from esophagus too
I think my spleen was 16cm if that means anything
Good to hear you have improved hopefully I will too
The thing that puzzles me if it's from drinking is my dad has had similar symptoms through his life with next to no drinking
Hes now on water tablets and has high sodium which I think can be due to liver ? Not sure ?
Hi worried cats,
I’m not going to add to a lot on here other than to say I’ve just read some of the best descriptions of liver issues on this post. Excellent information and advice given.
You’ve already identified that alcohol needs to stop and that’s the top tip, as well as changing diet lifestyle to give your liver the best chance to fight. Cut out salt as much as possible.
Try not to be worried, there are many combinations of scenarios here, just run with them, and keep popping on here for advice. It’s a great place to be.
Good luck, Andy.
Cheers mate have to just wait for the scan now
See what that says
Still fell washed out and tired and I have to return to work tomorrow
Is there anymore risk if catch covid 19?
When you have liver problems and swollen spleen ?
I can work at say 8 tenanted properties a day
I asked doctor and he said I'm ok to do this ?
Hey, about 6 years ago I had a ultrasound say I had mild diffuse fatty liver and spleen was borderline in size. I cant remember the spleen measurement. I have had 4 ultrasounds since the following showed very mild diffuse fatty infiltration and said nothing about the spleen. Then the latest few were normal but I dont think they viewed the spleen... however I did have a abdominal CT after the fact which was all normal... anyway all my worrying caused research and research showed that body height has alot to do with spleen size as well as fighting any active infection. I am 76 inches so my spleen is probably larger anyway. Just trying to say that maybe your liver is fine, but it's good your getting it looked at.
Pete
Morning
I'm still waiting to see gastro specialist due to covid 19
Not even got appointment yet
Doctor said I'd be having fibro scan
What I want to know is can liver problems causes aches and joint pain ?
My back and both my shoulders have been really painful and aching over last 4 weeks ?
Thanks
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