letter received from gastro

[Sophia1968]

Good morning to you all, I would really value your opinions on the letter I received yesterday from gastro ( to my doctor) basically it said bloods are still normal and liver screen was unremarkable which I know is good as it means normal so I’m really pleased with that, I just wish I knew what was tested lol, it also said ct scan ( for kidneys) which I had in Jan 23 showed diffuse steotosis which I know, but then it said there was no cirrohsis …..reading that really got my hopes up , but I don’t want to get too excited incase I’m jumping the gun, my question is I have heard so many times that ct scan or ultra scan can not tell for sure if there is cirrohsis, also if the fat covers a large area as in diffuse then is it possible to hide what is going on underneath, the other reason I can’t get my hopes up is cos he could not find the ultra sound that I had, my docs can see it but not him, this was the one that worried me cos it said severe liver impairment , or can diffuse fat mean the same , I assumed severe liver impairment meant cirrohsis, he also said the kpa 21.5 could be less since weight loss so he is arranging another one and then will see me again after in about 6 to 9 months , I do feel better since reading the letter just in knowing that the liver screen was ok, but I do feel apprehensive because of the other scan and still not knowing how the actual situation stands as I still need the fibroscan, really would appreciate your views, thank you for listening xx

[Oldbits]

Hi Sophia, it all sounds so very positive to me. Yes you're anxious (understandable when you have a scare) but a liver can function normally with some form of cirrhosis as it rarely completely goes. "Cirrhosis is scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage. The scar tissue prevents the liver working properly." Is the description from the NHS but your liver screen/bloods are fine so your liver is working and you're obviously doing all the right things. We were told US scan is the best way to see if the surface of the liver has any scaring by the the consultant at kings college transplant unit. As this is worrying you, you could always ask if you could have an other US or ask if 'impairment ' meant they couldn't see? They may ask for another scan before your next appointment anyway. But all in all it really sounds so positive but when you have anxiety it can be hard to accept. Keep going with what youre doing 🤗

[Sophia1968 in reply to Oldbits]

Thank you for your reply my lovely, that’s a bit worrying cos I assumed ct scan was more accurate than ultra sound, the ultra sound was the one with the bad findings, maybe I will ask what it all means like you suggest, I kvow I should have another ultra sound scan and was offered a couple of months ago but I I was too scared to go after the last one, so I told the dr I didn’t want one , really stupid of me I kvow 😥… thank you for taking the time to reply, much appreciated xx

[Oldbits in reply to Sophia1968]

Oh please dont stress, everything else you said sounded so positive. My hubbie has cirrhosis and his bloods are good and hes otherwise fit as a flea now. Just gets tired... But his was caused by AIH and then alcohol and picked up in blood tests, there will be different ways of checking depending on the cause or if further investigation is required but as his was obvious from the US he had a biopsy to confirm as an US is the best way to see the surface . Weve been told you can have scaring that doesn't affect the liver function. They now send him off for US to check there are no nasties every 6 months.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Oldbits]

Thank you hun, I think the real problem with me is the not knowing for sure, scans read bad, bloods read good, one scan ok, the other really bad, I kvow I will cope no matter what they say, but it is all this being in limbo not knowing if I have cirrohsis or not is the real thing that stresses me, I kvow people will say as long as you are ok now and look after yourself don’t worry, but I just want to know if I have cirrohsis or not, I guess the next fibroscan will clarify a bit as to whether it is still high or was a false high xx

[Oldbits in reply to Sophia1968]

I get that, Ill keep everything crossed for you. It's hard dealing with an unknown, hope you get a scan soon 🤗

[Sophia1968 in reply to Oldbits]

Aww thank you so much my lovely, all the best for your husband as well bless him xx

[kensimmons]

Sounds like you are fine. Just keep doing what you are doing and don't stress.

[Sophia1968 in reply to kensimmons]

Thanks hun , makes sense doesn’t it xx