confused about ultrasounds

[5Treasures]

Hi everyone. I have had breast cancer twice. The last time was in 2023.

I have had a few health scares since and have been mentioning grumbling niggling pains under my right ribs for a while.

Always worried about mets so I had a CT in May 2024. Mildly fatty liver but all good apart from that. My bilirubin has gone up and down for 10 years so I’ve been told I have Gilbert’s Syndrome by a liver consultant. It was 45 in May when I had the CT.

My bilirubin has been 15 from August 2024 to Feb 2025 when it went up to 20.

I had an ultrasound November 2024. All fine

Had 2 ultrasounds end of Jan 2024. One radiographer said Mildly enlarged liver. The other said all is fine?! Bloods all within range.

Had bloods done last week - bilirubin 32 but conjugated bilirubin within range. All other liver function things were fine.

My breast surgeon said let’s get another ultrasound for reassurance so I did on Thursday.

The ultrasound report is brutal! it states - we cannot rule out early chronic liver disease. It talks about the walls of the liver being bumpy (sorry I don’t have the report so that’s the wrong terminology)

I do have niggly discomfort sometimes. But how on earth can a report go from being mildly enlarged liver by one radiographer and fine by another in January ….. to 2 months later a report like that?! I don’t understand. He has referred me for an MRI and I am TERRIFIED!

I’m not overweight. I take Letrozole for breast. I probably drink more than I should at weekends but not loads and 2 bottles of lager another night a week.

I’m scared of what they will find. And so confused.

I’m frightened to eat and certainly not drinking. Why would it change so fast? Could he be wrong? But I do have pains.

[Sunnyskies33]

Hi. Try not to panic. See what the MRI shows. Was a Fibroscan done at any point? Liver surfaces can start to get bumpy in early fibrosis stages. There are several levels of fibrosis prior to a scarring level that is considered cirrhosis. The earlier levels can be stopped and even reversed if the cause is found and stopped. I would definitely not drink alcohol at all regardless of cause (get help for reducing/stopping if needed) and be sure to eat a healthy Mediterranean diet and if you are able get exercise daily. The British Liver Trust nurse hotline can help you while waiting for your MRI. Wishing you the best.

[5Treasures in reply to Sunnyskies33]

Thank you very much for replying, for the advice and the positivity. I haven’t had a fibroscan

I have changed my diet immediately (even though I’m scared of eating at all!) and I won’t be drinking a drop.

I just really don’t understand how ultrasounds 2 months apart can be so different. I keep hoping he has been over zealous but I do have discomfort.

[Sunnyskies33 in reply to 5Treasures]

It is important to eat...lean proteins like fish, chicken breast, beans, tofu, nonfat cottage cheese and yogurt are good along with veggies, fruits, unrefined grains, olive oil. Livers need to be fed but don't like things like added sugars, fatty goods, fried foods, alcohol or refined white breads. Also fish with omega fats are good...like salmon.

[5Treasures in reply to Sunnyskies33]

Thank you so much. That’s really helpful.

[lovedoncebefore]

I totally understand. I’ve been told for years I have polyps in my gallbladder by the NHS Uclh hospital. I’ve since moved to Hertfordshire and I am told I do not have any polyps in my gallbladder? I said oh maybe they have now gone but I was told once you have polyps they are permanent? So where did they go? Since 2012 I have had ultrasounds at Uclh and been told that the polyps are the same then an ultrasound at my local hospital have said none only a fold in the gallbladder. I questioned the radiologist and said I have been monitored by Uclh but she said no polyps? Like you I do wonder if this just comes down to the skill of the radiologist. Very confusing. I also have been told I have mild fatty liver and do suffer right side under rib pain. I hope all goes well with your scan.

[5Treasures in reply to lovedoncebefore]

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry you are going through confusion too, it’s so worrying.

It’s reassuring to know you have pain with a mild fatty liver. I just keep thinking it must be really bad due to the niggling pains, I’d be less worried without those. I wish you well too!

[mtk0925]

ultrasounds are really user dependent I wouldn’t panic just yet I would definitely get the MRI to see what’s going on

[5Treasures in reply to mtk0925]

My biggest fear is it’s cancer linked to my breast cancer and it’s just not showing up on Us

[5Treasures]

Hello all. I just wanted to update you after my mri. I spoke to the liver consultant yesterday for my results. There is absolutely nothing on my mri. Not even a fatty liver. The relief! I have no idea how I could have such a damning ultrasound to nothing on an mri. The liver consultant read that ultrasound report and said I am concerned. Yeah so was I.

This has been a huge wake up call. I’m sticking to the no alcohol and the healthy diet. I want to think you for your replies , you all kept me slightly more sane when I was going out of my mind. I wish you all well with your health xx

[Sunnyskies33 in reply to 5Treasures]

Great news!