I have been lurking on here a few weeks and learned so much.
I am obese - loved all the bad foods - high fats and also enjoyed my vodka and coke at the weekend. I am 51 and due to tinnitus I got tests and bloods showed LFT was high - ALT 108 AST 60. Doctor sent to for an ultrasound scan and was told I had a fatty liver. Doctor then referred me to a gastroenterologist.
I cant believe how naive I had been up till this point. Just thinking oh well my love of takeaways for most of my adult life has caused some fat to build on my liver. Had this hospital appt for the gastro dept and honestly thought I was going to get another ultrasound scan. I wasnt in the slightest bit concerned about any of this.
Night before the appointment this January, I was in my friends/neighbours house to celebrate her birthday and that was with fast food delivery and a few vodkas.
Went to my appointment next morning and shocked to get a full MOT re bloods taken and a fibroscan - had never heard of this type of scan. I still wasnt too concerned and thought oh no maybe I shouldnt have binged last night.
Results were ALT 118 AST 93 Fibroscan 20
They phoned me with these results due to covid and I was in a Tesco shopping and then when the consultant kept saying I'm sorry to say, I'm sorry to tell you ........I froze and fear just came over me. She said that I need to make massive changes to my lifestyle and I will be seen again end of September.
I am 5ft 9 and at that point ashamed to say weighed 25stone 9
I gave up everything - dairy, red meat, alcohol, processed foods and TAKEAWAYS!
I have lost 72 pounds so far but obviously still very obese - I now walk 21 miles a week and today bought a bike. I feel good but fear is what's motivating me and keeping me going. I am scared every single day. I need to stop googling as it puts so much more fear into me.
I got bloods redone last week and ALT 49 AST 36 GAMMA 36
Is there any possibility that due to me having the binge the night before with so much fatty foods and a few vodkas this has made the fibroscan test results worse? I am trying so hard - I will continue to get healthy but sometimes I get down and feel well if its not going to get better whats the point. I have only told 5 people about all of this and am not good with opening up so I apologise for the long post as its the first time I have opened up about it and how I feel.
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Cilla712
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Hi Haggis, your fibroscan score may not be totally accurate (& may be falsly inflated) because (a) you had ongoing inflammation at the time of the scan (your ALT result showed inflammation levels) and (b) fibroscan isn't necessarily accurate in patients with a BMI over 30.
However, that being said it's definitely time to take account of the dangers of your diet and lifestyle and time to make significant positive lifestyle changes before it is too late. It's good that your inflammation markers have come down to more normal levels so hopefully you don't have the more aggressive form of fatty liver disease which can lead to a rapid advance to cirrhosis.
You can hopefully reduce further damage and perhaps repair some of what's been done by following the advice for NAFLD (plus continuing to cut out booze). BLT has a page about the condition and also recently released details of a study into the benefits of a Mediterranean style diet to reverse fatty liver.
You'll find these and other good information on the main BLT website. The patient charter information may be particularly helpful too in making sure you get the appropriate level of care.
Thank you Kate. I definitely have taken account of all my bad habits and as I said have lost a lot of weight and I am confident by time I am back at hospital end of September I will have lost approx 120 pounds. But have more to lose even after that and will keep going. Its this fear and I was hoping to get a bit of hope that my fibroscan score could be less. The weird thing is I dont miss any of that stuff - except bacon! Oh how I miss that! But nope! No more.
Your story is very similar to my own! I'm 33 and the past couple of years I have put weight on. 2 years ago I had an ultrasound and was told moderate fatty liver and to diet. I didnt really pay any attention and then over last Xmas I felt very ill and had to go A&E. They said my bloods were high. I think my ALT was 120 maybe. I had an ultrasound and said my liver was severely fatty. I spoke to a consultant who told me I was borderline cirrhosis... I nearly died on the spot. I couldn't believe how foolish I had been. I was confident I was going to die. He told me I had to make massive changes which I had now lost over 2 stone. I'm not massively overweight so the whole thing has been a massive shock to me. I have to go back in June for another ultrasound to see if my liver has got better or has infact turned to full blown cirrhosis. I am praying I've done enough but I'm petrified I haven't.
You've got a long time till your next appointment and you've lost so much weight already. My only issue is that once its turned to cirrhosis there's no going back. Did they say much about your fibroscan results? I know they can be a bit inconsistent sometimes but I haven't had one so don't know the full details on that.
Please keep in touch and I hope everything works out for you. You deserve it with all the effort you have put in!
The call I got about all of this was such a shock and I was in a Tesco trying to take it all in. I then emailed and asked for someone to call me back as I had so many questions and it was a week later. Re cirrhosis her exact words were "may be cirrhosis" but because of my weight they would redo scan when I have reduced it significantly. I honestly cant believe the night before that scan and appointment I was sitting with my neighbour drinking vodka and eating a takeaway. Plus crisps and dips. I dont know if they will be redoing the fibroscan in September. I have already got an appointment through for March 2022?!
I hope you will be okay too and I am glad I have finally posted up in here as been so scared and need to stop googling as its put the fear of god in me.
Consultant also said I am f3/f4 and again went on about my weight. I went to a weight loss place the next day and thought I was around 20 stone but when I say the scales hit almost 26 I burst out crying. I was wearing size 26 clothes - miserable. Still miserable about it but now wearing size 20 but stones still to go.
Yes it is pretty horrendous. Before my appointment I was very laid back about it but when I went in the consultant basically said I was in a very bad way. I was 14 and a half stone so not huge but I carry all my weight on my stomach which is why I think its so bad. I'm 12 and a half stone now and I feel a lot better for it. May be cirrhosis is similar to my diagnosis... I just wish they would give an exact diagnosis but I know its not that easy. The liver is an amazing organ and will heal itself up until a certain point. I've never drunk really so mine is all food related. I'm definitely a food addict, and its been hard to stop that. I now go the gym 3 or 4 times a week so I'm trying to focus that addiction into something more healthy. I will probably update once I have my next appointment.
Well done again for the massive weight you've lost and it will for sure help you. The fact your bloods have dropped so much already is a great indication of how well you've done.
Also please don't Google. I had to stop! I literally thought I was going to die within the next 2 years and was on the edge of a panic attack constantly due to googling. It gets you nowhere and it won't bring you any relief. Only more misery !
You have done amazing as well and even just chatting to someone who understands my shock and is going through something similar helps as I have felt so alone despite me telling a handful of people. I am terrible for putting on a brave face.
Mines is definitely a mix of lots of terrible foods and booze - I drive for a living so I would never touch alcohol through the week - and also weirdly would never - and have never - drank in the daytime - just a Friday and Saturday and so I genuinely didnt think I was doing anything terrible but now I look back and its clear thats not good as be classed as binge drinking. I would have a half bottle of vodka Friday and same on Saturday. I never suffered hangovers and was never steaming drunk! I had no problem stopping that habit when all this came out and even if Im told things are much better I wont ever drink again as for me personally I would be too scared now - no enjoyment from it.
Thank you so much for your posts - really appreciated.
Haggis just keep going with all the hard work you are doing and don't lose that determination. Every pound you lose will be doing you so much good. Focus on the good you are doing now rather than getting dragged down by your past habits.Very well done ... stay motivated!!
Have you had a fibroscan? My liver is severely fatty but my fibroscan showed no to minimal scarring. Far from cirrhosis. The ultrasound likely can’t say cirrhosis. My ALT even shot to 295 at one point. Last labs 51. I am wondering how they are saying close to cirrhosis without a biopsy or fibroscan
No I've not had a fibroscan or biopsy. They said my liver had uneven texture on the ultrasound but my fib 4 test and elf test didn't indicate cirrhosis. But my consultant said the ultrasound showed borderline cirrhosis.
You're doing great. Looks like you are doing all the right things to get yourself back in a good healthy state.
There is probably some benefit still in getting the advice of a dietician. You've made some pretty drastic lifestyle changes so far, and you'll probably find those difficult to sustain for the long-term. The dietician may be able to advise you on how best you can achieve that so you dont start to put the weight back on.
I’m seeing a dietician and whether they read it or not I email the nurse at the liver department with my monthly weight loss and update. Sometimes she replies sometimes not. My before and after pictures are embarrassing but still got long way. I’m now leaving to go on a bike ride on my own!
Hi,I'm Dave,I had fibro scan last October,39. Although all liver functions was OK,it said on my pre appointment letter not to drink or smoke,couldn't understand the smoking Impact on my liver,so I just carried on before hand,consultant said just to abstain from alcohol, of which I had been ,now not had a drink for well over a year,but thought it really not possible that 4 to 5 years of drinking would be that dramatic,lengthy divorce,sorted now,they also just said health diet and exercise, but always been active, a good friend of mine said Dont look back just keep walking forward,and reflect on the past and not to dwell on it,all the best.
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Hi there. So you have not received the fibroscan results yet? What made them send you for one of liver numbers are good?
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My fibro scan was 39.kpa, it was asked as I had upper GI bleeds,so just awaiting if its all alcohol damage,aspirin low dose for 17 years,are the severe colon infection that moved through bile duct to inflammation of my liver,are inconclusive test for covid at hospital,all my research shows GI bleeds could be the aspirin ,!!, but my liver fibro scan at the time of test I was just recovering from my infection so just waiting on investigation.its been a long 2 years with one thing and another but its hard to explain it all here,but feeling OK, drinking had never been a real issue so it doesn't bother me,that's why I'd like a direct answer from hospital,I have had no contact from anyone since last may,doctors or consultant,sorry I lie,had a call asking if I would like to stop smoking,!!!, hope you are OK,sorry for the long text,but its hard to grasp a lot of what's been going off.take care.
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So you would drink 4-5 lager every night for 4 years? That doesn’t seem it would hurt a liver so fast? Did they say the colon infection went to the liver?
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Hi,I won't know until I get my requested hospital notes,and admission reports, at my worst I would probably drink a bottle of wine and a few beers,three glasses and two pints of lager,prob once a week with friends,I'd it isn't alcohol I won't be cracking a can open,I have plans to move to Spain so come at a bad time,just after securing my divorce win.,hope you take care.sometimes its nice to talk and not to be judged.
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So you only drank once a week like that? That’s nothing at all I thought you were saying you daily drink that much
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I rarely had a drink whilst married,a glass or two in the week when when chilling oit on the sofa,bad breakdown at work pushed me to drink in the day and afternoon, couldn't function,!!signed off work for 3/to 4 month,anxiety depression, went from 100 mile an hour to zero,because of drinking more I was asked to leave and get sorted,after looking back now not much help or compassion,my wife said I was in denial,after a long time separated it was my marriage that I was in denial about thinking it was good,but In truth it failed a long time before we seperated.I have a fantastic relationship with my daughters who have been their for me,!!!!,and I am so great full for their support but I did this alone,Dont get me wrong when she said no going back,I drank well in excess for a good 3-4 years,self pitty,But never in denial about drink,I was always open as to what I drank.one problem I have discovered looking at my self I hate being told what to do ! How to do it,that's too much,haven't you had enough, you can't have a drink at this time its only 10.40am,whilst In an airport in departure to Greece, after a long time thinking did I have a problem or my Ex, this is how I feel,but when I say these things I'm classed as been in denial,I was made to feel I was the only person In the airport to be having a drink, it was classed as not normal behaviour.sorry for moan,but I have had a lot to deal with,but glad to say still being positive.hope you are well,how ya doing.??
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I understand your frustration. I am doing ok. Have labs being pulled this week. I struggle on and off with alcohol too. Were you liver enzymes elevated as well?
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Well,the liver consultant said not!! at the time of fibro scan,said all liver function OK,report said for gp to monitor,I asked for repeat bloods as I was concerned about GGT level,and GP declined said it wasn't my decision to request bloods,So I kindly to him where to go and said I had no help whatsoever, I had a ring later that week,I hoped it was for repeat bloods,asked if I wanted to stop smoking., think GGT was 210, but bloods were taken only two months after hospitalisation, in may,so think they might be a bit lower now, just waiting for consultant meeting,then I can view my opinion of GP monitoring which has bee. Zero.what was your GGT if you Dont mind,and scan.
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Well they didn’t do my GGt but my alt was 295 abs my ast like 170z did they test those in you? My fibroscan shows tons of fat but little to no fibrosis with a pka of 4.7
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Dont know aboit other bloods,I just mentioned that the gastro consultant said they was high,but she said not,your kpa seems OK,what advice did you get,!? They just said to me stop drinking excesise,and eat healthy,always had a good diet,exercised, the beer doesn't bother me really, it is hard,just surround yourself with positive people,all my old friends think I'm weired I Dont drink,maybe they are questioning them selves.. Keep me posted,??
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I was told the same. Lifestyle changes only. Have they said if you have cirrhosis or not? I read inflammation (like it sounds like you may have had from tour surgery) can infants kpa.
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That's what they said ! But to be honest liver specialist looked a bit confused,all bloods were OK,at that stage,consultant letter states Chronic liver disease, but no cause.so surely if it was alcohol they would have put it was alcohol related liver disease. That's what I'm still trying to solve, He told me to contest my DNAR,because he says he didn't request it on my last admission,and can find no evidence to show it exists on hospital notes,system, I have it,he doesn't know,with his consent signature, and my consent,after 3 diazepam's, one blood transfusion and sedation,I was completely out of it,they even phoned my brother to say if my heart stopped again I would not be resuscitated, and left to die in dignity,but how could he be unaware of my heart condition ,syncope, good job it restarted itself, I was gone for five mins so op clinician said, its a real long story, said it was covid, then it wasn't,now its inconclusive,but I've just discovered a hospital record saying negative on arrival,at A&E.so I'm awaiting a reply saying I caught it up to ICU, or Theatre, are maybe never had it,I've lost trust,but hope you keep well,after all my nickname was Jonah all my childhood,teenage life.it was wrote for me, hope I get to Nineveh. Good read.keep well.
They said its NAFLD but I am sure its both. Even though I never drank through the week I would buy a bottle of vodka on a Friday and have that Friday and Saturday nights. It was pure habit - pour my first around 6/630pm and go to bed around midnight.
I know this may sound ridiculous to ask but how can they tell? I was very honest at the hospital appointment and told them about my weekend binge. I also had around 3 takeaways a week in the evening - a ton of white bread and lurpak every morning and also throw in a couple of McDonalds! Plus a case of diet pepsi every week...........
Now I shudder thinking about all of that. Now its all plant based food I eat. I bought a water dispenser and drink a full 19.5 litre bottle every week sometimes more. Never had a fizzy drink and now every week I walk MILES and this week started cycling. (not enjoying the cycling!!)
Its difficult and very different for other people, a lady friend I met at hospital had a reading of 56 and she never drank,I just really want an answer to the problem,either alcohol, aspirin. Which has been suggested,and now inconclusive test of covid,last year,but feel OK,keep up the good work at least your not hiding from things,
There is a test that calculates whether a liver condition came about due alcohol or not due alcohol. It's on the Mayo Clinic website, which makes me presume it's something used by doctors at a hospital considered to be one of the the best in the world .
Hi everyone, I wanted to put an update to my post. Thanks so much to AyrshireK for her post as she has been incredibly helpful without really realising I think! I had said about how I had eaten big fatty meal and had alcohol night before I got a fibroscan.............I had no idea I was getting this big full on medical - thought it was a consultation with doctor. Anyway, yesterday I got bloods done and also an ultrasound. Doctor has said they wont do the fibroscan again until March. Told me today my liver is still enlarged but no cirrhosis showing on the ultrasound. My bloods are now all normal (though I do understand that I can have normal LFT and have a liver in an awful state. Gamma is normal - spleen normal - no ascites, she said that there is nothing of concern BUT I have to continue losing weight - I am now almost at 70lbs off since January. Sheer hard work and eating correctly for first time in my adult life. I will just keep doing what I am doing - health eating and lots of exercise to get my weight down as I am still obese! See what happens in March.
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