Fine blood tests and ultrasound elastography after heavy alcohol abuse - am I safe then?

[Thomas4213]

I suffered alcohol abuse for 3 years, and now I am a light drinker. I had normal blood tests, ultrasound and elastography 1.5 years ago. Am I safe as long as I drink in moderation (0-2 beers a week), or should I check my liver with elastography again?

I assumed that I was safe since my results were all-right, and continued drinking occasionally after a 2 months break. Now, after becoming a father, I started worrying again that my former abuse might have negative consequences. Is there, for instance, a possibility that I might have had mild inflammation that did not show on the blood tests, that have continued damaging my liver? And do you think I need to abstain alcohol completely for the rest of my life, or is occasional drinking fine?

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Thomas4213,

If you [are in the UK and] 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

[mtk0925]

depends on what made you get the tests in the first place? High liver enzymes etc? If your dr said one or two is ok then I guess but sounds like a slipper slope

[Thomas4213 in reply to mtk0925]

Hi, thanks for the reply! Liver enzymes were fine as well, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it then. Elastography tests seem to be quite accurate? I suppose it might still be safest to not drink at all (which I haven't done for the last few months anyway).

The reason I took the test was to check if my alcohol abuse had caused any damage. As stupid as it might sound, I never paid any attention to my consumption - it just became a habit, and didn't realise a bottle of wine a day could be dangerous. But I regret it a lot now that I've become a father, and feel quite ashamed of myself tbh..

Just hoping my stupid behaviour until 2 years ago won't ruin anything for my family, but maybe I'm being overanxious about it.

[mtk0925 in reply to Thomas4213]

Sounds like me I become over anxious but my enzymes do go up a few points with out reason… at least reasons the drs can’t find yet, I drank a lot in my 20s 19-23 being the worse of the drinking almost nightly binge drinking 24-27 we’re weekends and 27-37 have been few here and there maybe a few concerts or parties over doing it. But nothing of note. I had 4 pregnancies that went well but one ended in a miscarriage my youngest is 2 oldest is 9 I don’t feel like drinking I feel like parenting and watching them grow.

[Thomas4213 in reply to mtk0925]

Thanks for the reply! Originally I was thinking of continuing to just have a beer or two once in a while, but sometimes it makes me think about my past abuse and then I feel quite ashamed, so it might be better for my mental health to just not drink anything ever again. I guess it's easier to decline wen someone offers you a drink by saying "I don't drink" rather than "I drink but not today thanks", because then you always get the "oh come on, it's Christmas / New year / etc.." reply..

Yes, I can imagine that doesn't feel too good.. I'm sure it's all good, but I can definitely understand why you feel anxious. Have you tried telling your doctor about your worries? Maybe if you can do some tests to rule out the more serious causes then you won't have to worry so much. Worries like these can really drive one crazy, I felt that especially after becoming a parent.

Oh, I'm very sorry to hear about the miscarriage. That must have been really tough..

[mtk0925 in reply to Thomas4213]

thank you, and yes I’ve done a few scans they all come back good. No fat no inflammation I just don’t push it, if we have an event I either have a drink no more than 2 or none at all. Mostly abstain. I do have my medical marijuana card for anxiety cleared by my liver specialist. I only take the medical marijuana when the anxiety is BAD luckily that looks like once or twice a month. My dr just put my dx as unspecified slightly elevated liver enzymes. I get an ultrasound done once every other year and blood work every 6 months sometimes their normal sometimes their slightly elevated. My parents never ever drank alcohol and both have slightly elevated liver enzymes so may just be my normal my cousins have it as well on my moms side and a few on my dads but some are drinkers some are not

[pushthrough]

Hey Thomas, former drinker here. Quit over 2 years ago after I was told I damaged my liver. I found about months after I have cirrhosis. I was 38 when I was diagnosed.

If you or your doc were concerned enough to get the mre to begin with, I would suggest not drinking again. You don’t want to end up with this crap. As I have said numerous times on here I didn’t drink as much as my friends they are fine, I’m not. Yes, looking back I had a problem. Everyone’s liver is different. You don’t want to risk it. I will say the MRE is extremely accurate (and really expensive in the states). Take care!

[Thomas4213 in reply to pushthrough]

Thank you for sharing your story. I read your earlier posts now, and I pray for your health!

I'll take your advice then and not have any more drinks. I like beer, but it's really not worth it.

Take care too!

[pushthrough in reply to Thomas4213]

Thank you Thomas, I greatly appreciate it. I hope you take care of yourself and build a lot of great memories with your little one!

G.

[normanbyrott in reply to pushthrough]

Hi, what were your AST, ALT, GGT numbers when you were told you had liver damage. Congrats on being a former drinker.

[pushthrough in reply to normanbyrott]

Hey Norman, I don’t remember to be honest but they were all at least 3 times higher than what they should have been. This was not too long after Covid subsided. I was originally told I had alcoholic hepatitis and not long after discharge I got an endo and colonoscopy. She found the small grade varices and referred me to a clinic that specializes in liver transplants. The most scared I have been in my life. Not sure of your story or background but there is hope. I thought for sure I was going to be gone in a year but im still here.