endoscopy

[Honeysuckle123]

Hi all

I was diagnosed a while ago with “possible borderline cirrhosis” through an ultrasound, blood tests and a fibroscan score of 20. The bloods are all normal and the consultant just says it’s hard to tell if I definitely have cirrhosis or not. My question is, I keep reading here that people are being offered endoscopy’s to check for things but I’ve never been told I should have one. Is this right? I’m slightly panicked now that things could be going on which just aren’t being picked up as unfortunately he’s a lovely guy but I’m never convinced he seems totally on the ball. Also to say I’m on the 6 monthly bloods and ultrasound pathway. Any help appreciated.

[Kristian]

They probably only bother with an endoscopy if there were signs of portal hypertension present on your ultrasound. So, essential an enlarged liver and spleen. If both weren't seen then they may not feel an endoscopy is necessary yet.

[Honeysuckle123 in reply to Kristian]

Thank you Kristian 🙏

[Aotea2012]

Yes agree with Kristian. Unless there were signs of gastrointestinal bleeding or portal hypertension they’ll probably give an endoscopy a miss. I only have one every couple of years but have six monthly bloods and ultrasound.

[Honeysuckle123 in reply to Aotea2012]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[Sophia1968]

Hi I feel very much left in the air like you, an ultra sound scan two years ago (which I had for another reason , not the liver) showed severe fatty liver (no one told me) a year later my scan had got even worse , the damage had increased, this worried me and I started the ball rolling with my dr ( not much of a roll unfortunately) a ct scan for another reason picked up diffuse fatty liver and when I spoke with my dr , she said my scans showed severe liver impairment…… I had a fibro scan done and was shocked at the kpa which was 21.5…… nothing has been done since, I have been told to lose weight which I am, three stone so far since April when the fibro scan was done….. I worry like you about what is going on inside, my bloods are good , but surely I need a camera to check nothing is going on inside like varices, also there is no mention of scans to check for cancer etc, my dr won’t refer me , she just says try not to worry too much about my liver, but she is not a specialist and prob does not realise just how serious and worrying this is, I am literally getting no answers or help from anyone apart from the lovely people on here, so I totally understand how you feel, hope you get help esp as your dr is referring you to a liver dr, im not getting anything, I’m also a type2 diebetic with high blood pressure and a rare wheat allergy who also had cancer five years ago, so I can’t believe why I am just left with no help ….. on the plus side my blood pressure and diebetic numbers are much better now due to the weight loss , good luck to you hun going forward xx

[Honeysuckle123 in reply to Sophia1968]

Aw bless you Sophia x it’s just so frustrating isn’t it? You’ve done absolutely brilliantly with the weight loss though, that’s amazing, well done. I’m trying so hard to lose weight but it’s such a slow process with me (mid 50’s, thyroid problem and menopause all playing their part unfortunately). I would keep plugging away at the doctors to get some answers but I know how hard it is. Good luck to you to x

[Sophia1968 in reply to Honeysuckle123]

Thanks hun, yes I’m also 54 this year and also have trouble losing weight and have all my life due to poly cystic ovaries , being insulin resistant as well and now obviously surgical menopause due to my cancer hysterectomy , this is why I have had to work so hard, I exercise which is a first for me but it is really helping, I do aqua fit on a Monday, swimming on a Tuesday, half hour gym on Wednesday, then home exercise on thur Fri and sat , then Sunday swimming again lol, I love swimming and had not been for 40 years , so I’m enjoying life as well now, doing something that I absolutely love …. I joined a membership at my local pool so may even try Zumba and Pilates in the future , I kvow all this will help even if it is beyond repair , but it is hard work so again I totally understand where you are coming from xx

[Honeysuckle123 in reply to Sophia1968]

Xxx

[Liversheep]

Can only speak for my doctor & the protocol that he follows. Cirrhosis Dx requires endoscopy, even when no signs exist of high portal pressure. Simply a thing they always do & never overlook. I was as clean as a whistle. Compensated but cirrhosis confirmed based on historic scans & FibroScan stiffness. I knew it would be ok, but had to get that baseline & cover all the bases.

[Honeysuckle123 in reply to Liversheep]

Thank you for your reply 🙏 yes I’m a little concerned that my doc hasn’t requested an endoscopy but I’m trying to go along the lines of he knows what he’s doing, fingers crossed. His two line letter after my latest six monthly ultrasound just said “liver showing as stable” and that was it so still no nearer knowing whether things are gradually getting better or, god forbid, worse.