Is osteoporosis associated with cirrhosis

I've had an abnormal liver blood test all was normal apart from gamma GT was 87 and vitamin D test was normal. all my joint's hurt and and I have bone pain, and stomach pain I had a x-ray on my lower back and spine Friday morning in the afternoon my GP rings me and tells me I have thinning of the bones and said I've sent a prescription for calcium carbonate a d3 around to the chemist and left it at that and put the phone down on me. I'm worried this has happened because of cirrhosis.

[AyrshireK]

Osteoporosis can occur in advanced cirrhosis where a patient is malnourished and not absorbing minerals and vitamins properly (my hubby has osteopaenia - the stage before ostoeoporosis).

That being said - Osteoporosis wouldn't be something you'd necessarily say is confirmatory of a cirrhosis diagnosis (which as yet you do not have!).

Are you on or have you been on steroids? I see it mentioned in your areas of interest on your profile. Steroids in high doses can cause bone thinning and osteopaenia/osteoporosis.

There are more reasons why osteoporosis can occur than just cirrhosis. Have you been referred for a DEXA scan? This is a more accurate and quantifiable scan that looks at bone density. My hubby has one now every 5 years since he's been put on steroids (prednisolone for his AIH).

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Yes, I was on prednisolone last year on and off for psoriasis, I feel like I've got late stage cirrhosis I feel sick all the time and I'm getting nowhere with my GP.

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

My doctor hasn't done anything for me apart from seeing a physio therapist

[AyrshireK]

You've obviously been having all sorts of investigations and earlier tests which revealed the diagnosis of fatty liver.

You have a list of ailments many of which can overlap with each another and not all are likely to be cirrhosis or liver disease related.

Maybe you could request a fibroscan then you would hopefully know once and for all whether or not you have fatty liver and any degree of fibrosis since fibroscan will give a CAP score for fat content and kPa figure for fibrosis which can then be compared with the fibroscan score chart to reveal what degree (if any) fibrosis is present. Ask for a referral for a Fibroscan - there should be one somewhere in your health board area.

Katie

[Hidden]

Thanks Katie, I asked him about 6 months ago about a fibroscan and he told me I didn't need one.

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

He must be very confident that your current diagnosis is accurate. However, you could perhaps ask again, explain that it would greatly help your mental health if you knew conclusively that you don't have cirrhosis.

[Hidden]

Thanks, Katie I will do

[vinylcollector]

Many things stem from Liver problems that don't have to be severe. Osteoporosis is a nasty condition causing crumbling bones, weakness and breaks. The Liver affects the whole body.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the reply