Confused

[Martyn1980]

Had a fibroscan yesterday, was informed I have liver damage of stage 3/4 . The reading i saw was at 400 and a 28%. Was told the consultant will probably want me to have a liver biopsy. Left all confused and thinking all sorts of thought, done some searches on the Internet, now thinking I've only got a few years to live. I am a type 2 diabetic and only 40 years old. Not got a follow up regarding the scan results with the constant until the end of the month.

[Yarkis]

Not something I'd be willing to wait for. I'd be ringing their phone off the hook. Are you showing symptoms? I've seen a few posts about those fibroscans not being exceptionally accurate. Hence why they want to do the biopsy. Keep us up to date Martyn

[Martyn1980 in reply to Yarkis]

Thank you for your reply Yarkis.

A bit of swelling in my abdomen, itchy feet, but apart from that nothing. I am over weight, I was told I had a fatty liver 3 years ago.

[Yarkis in reply to Martyn1980]

Don't lose your will Martyn. If you read through the forums here, there are plenty of people living long healthy lives with a donor liver. It doesn't sound like you're on deaths door yet. Stay strong and try to be kind to your body until you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Stay on top of it though, I would most definitely not leave my GP alone until I knew what was going on. After the biopsy they may suggest you for a transplant list. The sooner you get on it the better off you are. Here's one of my favorite stories about a woman who's son donated a part of his liver to save her life. columbiasurgery.org/stories...

[Martyn1980 in reply to Yarkis]

Thank you

[Laura009 in reply to Martyn1980]

The best thing you can do for your liver and t2 diabetes is to eat low fat low sugar foods in other words follow a healthy eating plan which l am sure you will have already been advised to? Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flushout toxins and take regular daily exercise and miraculously you will lose weight too. Best of luck

[Martyn1980 in reply to Laura009]

Thank you so much, already on the diet 👍

[Laura009 in reply to Martyn1980]

Great stuff. Look after yourself... take care

[velvetunderground]

Hi Martyn As tempting as it is, try and stop googling - this isn't going to help, and it very likely to lead you to think things are far worse than they might actually be.

No one here can fully interpret your results, although if 400 is the CAP score, then that would suggest quite a bit of fatty change in your liver. A Fibroscan result is a very useful tool, but it should be interpreted in conjunction with other results, such as blood tests and a review of your symptoms. Your consultant will be able to do that and answer any questions you have.

I know the wait to see the consultant feels like a lifetime, but it's less than 3 weeks away. In the meantime, you can start making some positive changes now. I would expect that your consultant is almost certainly going to suggest you lose some weight, eat a healthy diet and cut out all alcohol. I'd suggest that if you haven't already, then you start looking at these things now and get a jump on his advice.

All the best

Paul.

[Martyn1980 in reply to velvetunderground]

Thank you so much for the advice

[Ruggerhead in reply to velvetunderground]

I agree with Paul, the fibrascan has two readings the CAP one is for how much of the Liver is covered with fatty tissue, and the second and probably more relevant is the fibrocity score or in simple terms any actual damage to the liver itself. The Cap score goes in stages depending on what % of the liver is covered. The invasive biopsy is in many opinions the god standard test but it also has its detractors given where the needle is centred ie different readings for different areas. I also agree with the others, please think positively and set about bringing those numbers down, people do lead full and healthy lives with transplanted livers too. Dont give up you will get through this..

[Martyn1980 in reply to Ruggerhead]

Thank you, you have all been really kind and supportive ❤

[Onesmallstep1969]

Keep your chin up. The liver wasn't damaged in a day and the healing won't happen in a day. What you put into your mouth all these years (perhaps alcohol, perhaps fatty meats and dairy) have contributed to damaging your liver. Now, what you put into your mouth from this day forward can help to undo the damage. No alcohol, low oil, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Move your body consistently. Walk half an hour a day, stretch some, practice self-care. Count your blessings and try to stay away from stress if you can (none of us can entirely). Most of all, follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. There are lots of people on this forum who can help you because they have been living with liver disease for many years.

[Martyn1980 in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

Thanks for the advice, diet started, and the alcohol went down the drain. Thanks again