Do visible palm veins signal anything ... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Do visible palm veins signal anything serious?

African1 profile image
9 Replies

Am clocking 26 years this month,

a

About 9 months ago, my palms started showing a network of veins that doesn't seem to go away,

It freaks me out, I've been a heavy drinker in the past...and I get worried about my health frequently....

And today I saw this photo on the internet, of a patient who was diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, it's exactly the way my veins are showing on my palms... Am scared

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African1 profile image
African1
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9 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

If you are scared that you potentially have issues with your liver then the only way to discover if you have anything to be concerned about is to see your doctor and get some basic tests and a physical exam. Blood tests and a simple ultrasound scan would be good starting points. Sadly, no one here will be able to say yes or no you have/haven't got an issue - only a doctor can do that.

Katie

African1 profile image
African1 in reply to AyrshireK

Thanks Katie, I will do that

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to African1

Good luck with seeing a GP. It's still impossible here, ours are all still in hiding and our whole village is up in arms about it. So paying £95 for a half hour consultation with a GP at our private Spire hospital is what my family is doing when the need arises.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to Positive001

I can't say i've had the same bother here - I tweaked my knee cycling ion 5th October. Rested it up for a bit thinking it was just my arthritis but it just wasn't getting better & i've not been able to straighten my knee since the tweak .

Phoned GP 2nd November, had a phone appointment 4th November and he decided he needed to see me in person to assess my knee so saw him 8th November & he decided I needed urgent referral to orthopaedics and I thought "Oh, how long will that take?".

That same afternoon got a phonecall with hospital appointment for following Monday - 15th November, they referred me for an MRI as they think i've torn the cartilage in my knee which is now causing a knee lock.

Had the MRI scan on 24th November and am now awaiting report back and possible surgery.

Can't praise the NHS highly enough on this score at all. Can't believe how quick it's all been handled and feel really lucky.

Katie

in reply to AyrshireK

Knee lock, that doesn't sound nice at all Katie.

I hope it can be done quickly and maybe a washout and a trim of any cartilage fibres will do it.

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to AyrshireK

I hope that is the case for most, unfortunately it certainly isn't here (yet) There are locums available within a couple of days who generally say will do some blood tests but don't book for 6 weeks as we have no blood pots. It's very disappointing as l have always praised our surgery. I can't even arrange a date in 6 weeks for a face to face with our GP as requested by the hospital following my daughter's laparoscopy for endometriosis. It's been listed as "a task" and l have to try again in 3 weeks time. If no joy it will be private again or just deal with the hospital who thankfully remains the NHS we remember. Hope you can get that knee sorted Katie... it sounds awful.

in reply to AyrshireK

That does sound like a cartilage tear. I have something really similar, since Covid, I have multiple bilateral joint subluxations, even dislocations at times and the head of both fibulas come out daily. I couldn’t get the left one in without rotating the tibia with some force and pretty sure I tore the lateral meniscus. This was 6 months ago and could not get a face to face appointment, simply because there aren’t enough resources here at present. Usually it wouldn’t be a problem at all. I hope your knee gets better soon, i’m glad you’re getting an ortho opinion.

Hi African1

I think that picture is to show how red the palms are.... not the visibility of the veins. Nobody here can give you medical advice apart from the good advice from Katie to go see a doctor. I think the doctor will put your mind at ease.

Take care

Dave

It's the redness of the palms, not the veins. Palmar erythema is associated with quite a few conditions, cirrhosis being only one. It's best to go see your GP and tell them your concerns.

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