UltraSound Results

Had an US over abdomen after raised liver enzymes; weekend drinker and was overweight too.

Have since dropped two stone and reduced drinking significantly but can’t shake the fact an ultrasound isn’t always accurate for fibrosis etc…

Results from 2023 US are noted below:

CLINICAL INDICATION:

UABDO US Abdomen FH

CLINICDET = rise in LFT-

ULTRASOUND ABDOMEN REPORT:

The liver is normal in size and diffusely fatty with areas of focal

fatty sparing adjacent to the liver and smooth borders. No obvious focal hepatic lesion noted.

Normal flow demonstrated in the portal and hepatic veins.

The gallbladder is normal. No evidence of wall thickening, dilated biliary ducts or calculi.

The kidneys, pancreas body and spleen(10.4cm) are normal in size and echopattern.

No ascites.

COMMENT:

Fatty liver noted.

The GP mentioned following the weight loss and lifestyle changes the reduction in LFT enzymes to just over borderline were a clear indication of the positive changes etc…

Just wondering in light of everything above whether a FibroScan is going to help answer if there is permanent damage or muddy the waters so to speak !

Will appreciate any advice but accept we’re not a forum full of doctors 😂

[Aotea2012]

Well done. Those lifestyle changes will have really helped your liver health. Carry on doing what you’re doing. I wouldn’t bother with a fibroscan personally, you have fatty liver which is wholly reversible if you carry on with those changes you’ve made.

[Hidden in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks ! It was hard work at first then pretty routine. Idle hands have us comparing the different diagnostic methods and mentions that they should be used in combination; where one can miss something the other finds.

It’s clear like many folk on the board that anxiety has a big part to play here too !

[sophiaS1980]

Dropping weight is a great thing but a person with a fatty liver shouldn't be cutting down on alcohol but stopping alcohol completely.

[Hidden in reply to sophiaS1980]

It's interesting that the opinion on this is as you cited; though the response from the GP of moderation in general in relation to diet and getting exercise doesn't lean into how serious the condition can be.

The FibroScan results gained today were 4.7 KPA and F0 which is obviously positive too, but potentially supports the laissez-faire approach general practioners can have to liver disease - it's a suspicion a of mine that a hepatologist would favour your position which despite the "healthy liver" results I am inclined to embrace.

[sophiaS1980 in reply to Hidden]

Most Hept. would tell one with a fatty liver to STOP alcohol, GP knows very little about the liver, that's why we have specialist.

[looby24]

Congratulations on the weight loss. I'm on this forum primarily for my husband who unfortunately was recently diagnosed with cirrhosis (he had scans back in May that showed severe fibrosis but doctors did not treat and he was not told of the significance/danger of this and he went on to have a variceal bleed) however due to these circumstances I have now taken an active interest in my fatty liver and I'm extremely aware of the dangers of not acting upon it. Having said that, I'm finding it difficult to lose weight despite eating really well. I heard that liver issues can make it hard to lose weight. So I wanted to ask you if you did anything in particular to achieve your weight loss. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to looby24]

I am sorry to hear about the circumstances of your partner, it's encouraging you're taking an active interest in your liver health.

In terms of weight loss, it was a case of keeping it really simply; eat less and move more. I maintained a calorie deficit and since working from home is fairly sedentary had to make a real effort to take on walking.

I'd advise starting with smaller walks and working your way up to longer or more frequent outings. It was useful to try and visit different places as the same walk can get quite boring quickly and zaps the motivation to get out !