Recurring fever?

[HeatherAB]

Sorry to ask another question so soon, but does anyone else have recurring fevers? I have cirrhosis caused by NASH, and my temperature has been going up to between 38C and 38.4C several times a week (if not daily!) since around 2015, and I’ve had every test under the sun, but they’ve never found a cause and eventually just put it down to ‘fever of unknown origin’.

It’s not massively high I know, but it makes me feel really rough and I avoid going out as I’m only comfy in shorts and a light t-shirt - and at times I end up resorting to paracetamol to bring it down a bit (especially if my arthritis is really bad too). Do you think it could be caused by my liver? My ESR is slightly raised, but my CRP is normal. My GGT has been hovering around 400 for years (but has recently shot up to 600), ALP lurks around 325, and ALT around 60 - but everything else is normal. I never drink alcohol.

The liver clinic tell me to get my GP to look into it again. My GP says get the liver clinic to order whatever tests THEY want. Infectious Diseases drew a blank, and rheumatology say it’s not related to my widespread arthritis 🤷‍♀️

[Richard-Allen]

Hello heather, I think your GP might be right here.

Most medical diagnosis is arrived at by ruling out what is not the cause.

One of the 500+ jobs the liver looks after is to maintain the blood at the correct temperature. Because it is engaged in so many activities the energy it creates warms the blood passing through it which helps maintain the body’s temperature.

However, your body temperature may rise as your immune system fights off infection.

There are so many variables and not being medically qualified, it would be wrong of me to offer any speculation here.

It seems that you are being treated as a piggy in the middle here. I’d go back to your GP and simply say, “These are my symptoms, what are you going to do about them”? Put the ball back in their court. Your doctor has a duty of care and will have your best interests at heart.

Be firm but polite, hopefully, you’ll get somewhere, but try and be mindful that our beloved NHS is at near breaking point, and that there are now long waiting lists for consultations and medical procedures.

Good Luck

Richard

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear HeatherAB,

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Sdfoxy]

Hi. I was wondering if you had ever figured anything out. I also have fevers of unknown origin and NASH. Mine just started in June and so far I’ve been to ED. GP. And infectious disease specialist. I am in USA. Shawn.