hi all I’ve had a clear ultrasound but I have high high serum ferritin. GP referring me for a fibroscan and I’m really worried I might have cirrhosis. Anyone know how good ultrasound is at detecting cirrhosis???
Ive been drinking at least a bottle of wine daily for about 6 years with very few days off
An ultrasound would pick up cirrhosis as there are architectural changes to the liver as a result. So irregular contours would show up, as would liver size. The fibro scan will show other things like fibrosis so it’s important to have. You are drinking high levels and it’s important you cut back or better still stop altogether. Your consumption is circa 70 units a week when you should be drinking max 14. So it will be having consequences for your health but it’s unlikely to have reached cirrhosis stage if your ultrasound is clear. Which is great news as you can reverse damage before this stage. Even with cirrhosis it’s possible to, to a certain extent. So reducing/stopping will improve your health.
thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to reply! I hope you’re right and it sounds like you have some experience in this area so I’m sure you are. Fingers crossed and thanks again!
my US has been clear for the past 9 years but my liver enzymes go up and down. So my dr still gave me the dx of liver disease unspecified. Cirrhosis would show on a scan. My dr said it shows as texture that even to the untrained eye is visible you can look on line and see that the texture is very different from normal to cirrhosis
do you know how they would word it in a Ultrasound please
I’m not sure. I know with mine they just say “normal in texture” so I’m not sure how they would work cirrotic
mine says increase in echogenicity and heterogeneous in texture in keeping with steatosis and chronic liver changes but normal in size haven’t a clue what that means
hi. My ultrasounds say my liver is shrunken in size and with a coarse echotexture....in keeping with cirrhosis . Chris
I really hope they can help you and that you still feel ok
ps I’d add I do not drink regularly it’s a few times a year if that, I’d work on cutting back if I were you. I was a heavy drinker in my early 20s went through college partying hard stopped mid twenties with just weekend partying then just totally stopped binge drinking by 27 36 now
A fatty liver was picked up on my partner’s ultrasound yet a year later he has very advanced Cirrhosis which is confusing so I’m not sure…
Sorry I’m not trying to worry you! Please note this is a completely different situation as my partner is an extremely heavy drinker and has been for 20 years. You would have other clear symptoms so try not to worry
Thanks yes Its all very mixed. Some report that just fatty liver was detected on US and others saying US not reliable for cirrhosis!!!
Then others saying that cirrhosis would show on US as there are architectural changes to the liver.
Might call the help line and speak to a nurse tbh.
Thank you!
I’d love an answer to your question too! Because if an US doesn’t pick it up then I’d like to know why a Fibroscan wasn’t done much sooner because now we are at the stage of advanced cirrhosis. Like I said though you would likely have other blatant symptoms like my partner and also you don’t drink as much and haven’t done for as long. But of course I am not a medical professional by any means!
Giving the helpline a call sounds a sensible idea. US aren’t that sensitive I understand, but if your report was clear and you have no other symptoms then I think it would be pretty reassuring.
Hi, how high was your serum ferritin and when did you get the bloods done? Depending on how elevated it is the GP should normally ask you to abstain from alcohol for at least 3 months to 6 months before a retest?
hi I’m not sure he didn’t give me any figures. He didn’t even mention alcohol, just said that since the iron is still high he needs to refer to a specialist. Then the referral came through for a fibroscan…. No explanation!!!
Its really important to ask for the figure that the Dr got from the test, and my advice would be for you to abstain from alcohol until the ferritin level has gone down to normal values and until the cause of the elevation has been identified. Here is a link below which details the algorithm or flowchart that should be followed when investigating elevated ferritin levels for GP guide?
mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/2019...
ahh bless you thank you! I’ve actually read that same flow chart lol! Either way I’m miffed that the guidance for gps is to consider alcohol and he hasn’t even mentioned it to me. For all he knows I’m not researching for myself and happily continuing to damage my liver!
Thank you as ever/to all for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it!
echogenecity on mine smooth surface NAFLD
Hi, I have hemochromatosis, which means I have difficulty processing iron and so the iron builds up in my organs, liver especially: "Alcohol drinking increases the body iron stores. Even moderate consumption leads to the elevation of the iron concentration, ferritin and transferrin saturation in serum and the hepatic iron content. Both iron and alcohol cause the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation leading to the liver injury."
hi yes the gp asked me if I’ve ever had any family members with that condition as I’m the right age for onset and the right ethnic profile after reading up (Celtic, Scottish, Irish heritage).
That’s all he said though! Hasn’t told me to cut down on alcohol and hasn’t referred to the affects of alcohol on raising ferritin levels. I’ve found all that out for myself!!!!
Might speak to a nurse via BLT helpline.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated
Fibroscan is much more reliable at detecting cirrhosis. Can you cut back on the booze a bit?
yes I’ve already cut back considerably and trying to go alcohol free. I’ll just have to wait for the fibroscan results I guess! 😬🤞
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