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[Mrsmaggie]

Hello, I have been having digestive problems for some time now ....endoscopy was normal and so I asked my gp to refer me to a gastroenterologist. Due to covid I’ve not met him but spoken on the telephone....he noticed on a CT scan that I had 10 years ago before gallbladder removal that I had a fatty liver .....never told this and so ordered a liver blood test where he diagnosed Nash and ordered a fibroscan as well which I waited 6 months for but had on Wednesday. The nurse told me the result was 398 and the cut off was 400 , didn’t know what that meant until I googled it . I’m now terrified, can’t eat or sleep . How long will I wait for the consultant to let me know what I’m dealing with ....I’m dying aren’t I but I feel really well to be honest . Please help

[AyrshireK]

Hi Mrsmaggie, no you are not dying, your liver is rammed with fat that's true but did they happen to give you a score for kPa?Fibroscan has two scores CAP - which goes up to 400 and reflects the amount of fat in the liver and kPa which reveals liver density i.e. whether you've got any degree of fibrosis (This score goes up to 75 kPa).

It's a huge pity you were never told about your fatty liver all those years ago, fatty liver is reversible with postive lifestyle change, a healthy diet (Mediterranean style) and exercise. There is still time to work on this.

I assume with the latest tests revealing NASH that you have ongoing liver inflammation (NASH stands for Non Alcohol related Steatohepatis meaning the liver is inflammed due to the fatty build up).

If you feel well with no symptoms that's GREAT news so you arn't dying and may have the opportunity to get to grips with this condition before it leads to serious symptoms.

Sadly, NAFLD is one of the fastest rising liver conditions in the Western World and years ago it's seriousness wasn't identified and all too often patients were fobbed off with 'it's just fatty liver!' - fatty liver can progress though.

Have a read at the BLT page on Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease and NASH at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

It is never too late to make positive change and most liver conditions can be reversed (even early cirrhosis is deemed reversible to a degree). Information into the study on Mediterranean diet and NAFLD available at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/?s...

Hopefully it won't be too long before your follow up appointment and you can go on from there.

Katie

[Mrsmaggie in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie , thank you so much for replying.No I wasn’t given any other details as she said that they would all go to the consultant and he needs to read all the results first . I’m just so scared and thought that liver problems were caused by alcohol and as I’m a non drinker I’m completely shocked ! I guess I’m fortunate that the gastroenterologist I have been referred to is also a liver doctor else I would probably still be non the wiser .

Do you think that they will be in touch quickly if things are really bad , I guess I’m just trying to find out other people’s experiences . Thank you so much 😊

[AyrshireK in reply to Mrsmaggie]

My husband has cirrhosis and never drank any alcohol in his life (well apart from two pints on his 18th that made him so ill he said he'd never drink again) so yep it's a common misconception not helped by the media, tv programmes and a constant concentration on the liver and alcohol (My hubbies illness was caused by an auto immune condition that attacked his liver). In the USA (and Britain catching up fast) NAFLD has over taken alcohol as the principle cause of liver disease.

I've no idea of how the timescale will work, obviously covid has hit hospital waiting lists big time. Glad you are going to be seeing a gastro with a liver specialism.

In the interim take a look at the guidance on NAFLD and see if you can identify areas where you can start to make a difference yourself. If you are over weight, perhaps eat the wrong type of foods or do little exercise then maybe you can make some changes there. It's possible for NAFLD to arise as a result of medications or underlying conditions such as diabetes. Just don't go convincing yourself you are more poorly than you are presenting, the absence of symptoms is a good sign.

All the best, Katie

[Worriesalot]

I’m like you, terrified. What are your symptoms? I’m actually praying I’ve got fatty liver. Mine are light stools and constipation.

[Mrsmaggie in reply to Worriesalot]

I suffer with constipation

[Worriesalot in reply to Mrsmaggie]

How bad is it Maggie. I can’t open bowels without Lactulose?

[Mrsmaggie in reply to Worriesalot]

I have to take laxido sachets to help me otherwise I can go for a week and not have a bowel movement

[Worriesalot in reply to Mrsmaggie]

Do they blame it on fatty liver?

[Mrsmaggie in reply to Worriesalot]

I’m not sure if constipation is a symptom of fatty liver or not but I don’t think it helps !

[Hidden]

Hello Mrsmaggie,

Welcome to this friendly , supportive forum.

I can see our lovely members have shared lots of useful information.

You can also call our nurse led helpline on 0800 652 7330 Mon-Fri 10am-3pm

Trust9

[Mrsmaggie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the welcome .I think the not knowing is causing me anxiety...I just need to hear back from my consultant re my fibroscan .

[Worriesalot]

What are your symptoms?

[Mrsmaggie]

Hello , further to my post above I now have a copy of my fibroscan results ....I’m yet to see my consultant but hoping someone maybe help with the numbers ....obviously I know you are not doctors but appreciate any advise x

8.9 kPa, IQR 1.7, IQR/MED 19%

CAP 397, IQR 21

F2 scored against NAFLD

[AyrshireK in reply to Mrsmaggie]

This might help you understand your fibroscan result. mskcc.org/cancer-care/patie...

The only key figures for you are the kPa score of 8.9 and the CAP score of 397.

The IQR figures are just how they come up with the results - IQR being the difference between the lowest reading they took and the highest resding they took and MED. They normally take 10 readings with the average or median score being the one reported.

Katie