Worried about liver

[Anon99999]

Currently waiting to see a liver specialist.

History of heavy drinking the last 10 years, more so the last year following my Dad having a stroke and being in hospital for a year before sadly passing away.

Stopped drinking on 2nd April this year following pain just below right rib cage, I was in Thailand at the time where it is easy to get a Fibroscan, so I got one which gave a CAP of 313 and Kpa of 14.3, this caused me to immediately stop drinking using diazepam for 12 days to taper off the alcohol. Pain in side reduced but a dull ache persisted. Another Fibroscan on the 27th April, stayed off the drink during this time and also went from 101KG to 94KG (I’m 5ft 10 and lift weights so am still overweight but some is muscle) showed CAP 268 and Kpa 14.1. Blood results also showed raised LFT on 27th

Bilirubin Total 1.4H mg/dL

AST 81 U/L 

ALT 169 U/L

GGT 174

(my GGT was 300 last June when I also had this pain and a CT Scan revealed fatty liver but GP said I didn’t need a Fibroscan or any further tests but needed to cut down drinking which unfortunately I wasn’t able to at the time, around 150 units a week)

I returned to the UK the next day 28th April unfortunately with a really bad infection / tonsillitis which I had to take paracetamol and amoxicillin for 5 days to get over, this seemed to make the pain in my side worse but it has now reverted to a dull ache again, which makes it uncomfortable to sleep on my right side. I’m also feeling very fatigued during the day the last week and my sleep isn’t great, hoping this is just stress and anxiety. I have also started to notice itching in my breast area and lack of sex drive, which feels like low testosterone/ high estrogen (I’ve had it before when coming off steroids when weight training, not taken them for 10 years) so this is concerning me.

Just hoping this is still fatty liver / Fibrosis and has not progressed to Cirrhosis, looking for some support and hope from people who might be or have been in a similar situation. I am down to 91KG and continue to eat as healthy as I can and avoid alcohol.

I do understand the Fibro chart readings and know it could be Cirrhosis based on NAFLD whereas the Alcohol charts put it as F3 but I’m hoping the results are inflated due to my LFT still being raised and the symptoms I’m getting are my liver starting to recover from the alcohol, being overweight, the virus and antibiotics / paracetamol.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Anon99999

Test results vary according to both the individual’s whole health and the laboratory analysing the results and should always be interpreted by the user’s own health care professionals.

We suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional.

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

[Anon99999 in reply to BritishLiverTrust8]

Thank you, I have seen the GP this morning who has done some up to date bloods which should come back in the next few days and still awaiting for the liver specialist referral.

[Anon99999]

Updated result came back as

ALT 95

AST 49

GGT 157

So all improved. Unfortunately I ended up drinking for 1 week after 6 weeks of abstinence which resulted in a 3 day hospital stay with Alcohol Hepatitis (ALT of 400, Bilirubin 25) and withdrawal requiring fluids and diazepam, my bloods improved and they let me home with Vitamin B and Thaimine prescription. I am done with alcohol now.

Recovering from that I then got an infection in my elbow and Cellulitis which resulted in 4 days IV antibiotics 8000mg a day and 2 weeks Oral at 4000mg a day which wiped me out.

Recent bloods show Bilirubin, full blood count etc. all back in normal range but ALT and GGT both around 180, GP said expected after the antibiotics and is arranging follow up bloods.

Ultrasound in hospital showed enlarged and swollen liver with mild spleeneology, normal liver appearance.

Still waiting for the Gastro appointment, I’m worried that I have pushed things over the edge now.

Current symptoms

Muscle wasting and joint pain

Not digesting food properly

Gynomastacia

Lack of libido and testicular atrophy

Pale gums

Nail changes - loss of lunar on some fingers

Bags under my eyes

Insomnia

Hair loss on head

Sleep disturbance, could not sleep more than 30mins, this is very slowly improving, I managed 2 hours last night then a few lots of 1 hour in between waking throughout the night.

Other symptoms which have improved a lot the last week and I think were mainly the alcohol withdrawal

Feeling really ill and weak

Dizzyness and off balance

Brain fog

Muscle twitches / jerks

I’m now 7 weeks alcohol free and about 10 days since finishing the antibiotics. Is there any chance what I am experiencing is still the inflammation and not cirrhosis? How long can it take for the inflammation to go down?

I’m drinking plenty of water now and eating a healthy diet of lean meat, veggies, nuts, fruit, whole grains, protein shakes, every 3-4 hours to try and stop the muscle wasting but food is not getting digested properly, could this be the inflammation still?