My husband has been monitored for liver problems for the last few years. He is a very heavy drinker and has been for a long time. I have been with him for 23 years plus. Last year he had an internal bleed though they couldn’t find where it was and was inconclusive. The consultant gastroenterologist said he hadn’t got liver disease and said the bleed could be just one of those things. He was then referred to a heptologist who said he had cirrhosis and should stop drinking. He doesn’t want to face things and despite multiple arguments has carried on drinking. He has had ultrasound scans and regular blood tests and is due to see a consultant at the beginning of July. My questions are as follows:
1. How is cirrhosis diagnosed ?
2. He has constant pain in his shin and legs and itchy skin is this a result of liver damage?
3. He feels the cold constantly?
4. His bloods other than low platelets don’t show anything else .
He needs to be convinced given the different diagnosis he had at the hospital, would a fibro scan help and are his symptoms a result of liver damage?
Thank you