Questions about testing and symptoms

[WorriedUK01]

Background: 25-30 units per week for the last 15 years. Started getting liver pain last January. Blood tests and 2x ultrasound were clear. Pain returned this year but worse, with pain in my back.

Tests done: last year 2x ultrasound ok, 2x sets of blood tests ok- this year... fibroscan 6.5kpa, ultrasound was clear, blood tests showed slightly elevated Alt and decreased serum organic phosphate (?). All other bloods were ok. Dr didn’t seem concerned. Consultant who did fibroscan said he wasn’t concerned unless it was over 8kpa

Symptoms: started with pain in liver region which was also in my back. At times extremely painful particularly my back. Puffy ankles and pain in ankles and knees. Now having burning skin sensation around collarbone, and along base of neck. Skin is very red, looks sunburnt and can see lots of veins on the surface. Not sure if some are spider angioma as there are small circles of red veins. Skin is burning. Worse on the evenings.

Questions:

Going to speak to my GP again tomorrow as very worried this is liver related. However, can I take any reassurance from my test results?

Could I still have serious liver damage but only 6.5 on fibroscan?

Could I have serious liver damage but a clear ultrasound? Would any serious damage occur from the two I had done last January to the one I had done last month but not be seen?

Dr wasn’t concerned about slightly elevated ALT (Was 4 over upper range) or lower phosphate level as my full blood and other tests were ok.

Any thoughts? How do I pursue this do I stick to thinking it’s liver related given the work I have had done so far? Any other tests I could ask for?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi. Have you given up drinking yet?

That is going to be the 1st step in the right direction for helping any damage to repair.

Laura

[WorriedUK01 in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely! Not a drop for 3 months

[Hidden in reply to WorriedUK01]

Brilliant. Try not to worry, l'm sure the doc will be able to reassure you . Take care

[Hidden]

Hi WorriedUK01 - I can see that you have already received some support from other forum members but I have attached a couple of links which you may find useful to read prior to your GP appointment.

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s4p4i5g5.rocketcdn.me/wp-co...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

Trust10

[WorriedUK01 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and yes I’ve looked at those on the website.

I guess what I am asking is :

Is a fibroscan accurate? I’ve read a few stories of people on here who have cirrhosis but now have low readings on the scan

How good is an ultrasound at determining liver health?

[Hidden in reply to WorriedUK01]

Hi WorriedUK 01 - your GP would be best placed to comment on your results as we cannot comment on individual tests but what I would say to reassure you is that liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is diagnosed not just on one test but on many - bloods, scans and an individual assessment of your health. As a stand alone, a fibroscan result below 7kPa is certainly reassuring.I hope your appointment goes ok - if it would be helpful, you can contact our nurse led helpline on 0800 652 7330 Monday to Friday 10am-3pm.

Trust10

[WorriedUK01]

Had another ultrasound done last week and again it showed nothing. Guy said u had a text book liver. So that’s blood tests normal except for ALT of 44 , fibroscan of 6.5 and two ultrasounds normal.

Still have weird stuff going on though.

Both ankles are swollen. Extremely painful when walking and worse after a hot bath.

Very very dry skin particularly on face and hands. No creams seem to work. Hands actually turn red and burn on the palms at times.

Going back to my GP on Friday but unsure what else to ask for given the tests I have had done. Probably repeat of the bloods I suppose. Not drink anything now since January and don’t intend to.

I’m just not sure if what I have going on is liver related or not. The right side pain has gone done I stopped drinking though!

Edit: having read posts from some people who have had normal fibroscan but highly elevated EFT tests has now got me concerned!

[carefull1]

Normal ultrasound is reassuring. If you had serious liver ailments the Ultrasound would have shown it ( I think but not a health professional). Ask for an ELF test.