My Dr doesn’t know how to interpret my liver scan results??

[ITryEveryday]

I had an ultrasound done to check the elasticity of my liver and today spoke with my Dr and she didn’t know exactly what the numbers meant? How could she not? She told me the results said I’m high risk for fibrosis. I got scared and asked for a printout of my results. I know there are many smart people on this group and I’m well aware you’re not doctors but I’m terrified and my Dr doesn’t understand the results??? I’m going to post my results and if anyone can help me figure this out, that would be awesome!

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Try

Well, as you noted we are not doctors.. My advice is to get a 2nd opinion from a liver specialist. The indication of fibrosis risk means you need to take it seriously. We wish docs were better informed about liver disease but many aren't so it is up to you to get to a liver specialist who can figure our your real situation. Good luck

Wayne

[Alterity]

Good morning,My Dr. always said my ultra sounds were not accurate because it depended on the tech that did it. MRI would be the best, but I agree with NASH2 get a second opinion. Many Dr. do not know what they are dealing with and just say you will be ok, or get you scared and then do nothing. Stay positive, get lots of rest, eat right, stay away from red meat and stress. Find someone who knows about rest. I know Dr. that have told patients they have NASH and you will be ok then died a couple years later. My first Dr. gave me 6 years to live 20 years ago. So yes, you will be ok, if you live your life right. If you don't you will pay for it, because believe me your liver will rebel if you don't treat it right. good luck. If you can find a Dr. who studies the liver is better yet.

[ITryEveryday in reply to Alterity]

I’ve been fasting, eating pretty good, exercising and taking milk thistle and choline. I don’t have diabetes and rarely drank(obviously no drinking now whatsoever.

[Positive001 in reply to ITryEveryday]

Fasting and taking suppliments such as milk thistle will cause further damage to your liver. You need to be eating healthily and regularly every day and drink plenty of water to flush toxins from your liver. Suppliments make the liver have to work harder to process at a time when you need to allow it to rest and give it time to heal. But keep up the exercise and stay off booze and your liver will thank you for it.

[MINTVCX]

As I assemue you had Shear wave elastography (SWE) which is not the same as fibroscan? From my amature point of view besides liver stifness which is higher than normal, your echotexture is heterogeneous (US) and normal should be homogeneous (I have also this finding). Anyway good luck and as the rest said I would also advise you to see hepatologist to see the whole picture.

[Dd4560]

You said you were obese, and I understand that if you have a lot of extra weight, you want to get rid of it quickly, and with a lot of extra weight, it's fairly easy to diet/fast and lose a lot of weight very quickly. However, be careful about losing weight TOO QUICKLY as that in itself can cause further damage to the liver. 2 pounds or 1 kilogram per week is usually what is recommended, but at the same time, depending on how heavy you are, maybe you can do a little more than that per week, just don't over do it. It would be best to speak to a medical professional about it.

[Troutwhisperer]

Hi Try,I am basically in the same boat as you are. The boat I refer to is bigger than any other boat you have ever seen. That’s because it has to be gigantic as there are thousands, maybe millions of us in that same boat with you. My doctor knows very little about fatty liver disease and NASH. My provider is Kaiser Permanente. My doctor informed me in writing via email that my request for referral to a Hepatologist was denied because my condition is not yet critical. THEY will refer me to a Hepatologist when my condition becomes CRITICAL. This is their policy. So thousands of their members are in a terrible situation if they want real help today. So after mulling this over for a couple months the only option is to return to seeing a private physician who is willing to do what my provider refuses to do. I’m sure my premium will increase, but the old adage you get what you pay for applies here. I also believe It will be easier to get the appropriate testing needed to make an accurate diagnosis. On this matter of receiving appropriate testing Kaiser Permanente has been resistant. That is a problem for all of us as managed health care systems have an inherent conflict of interest.

Hopefully you will have no problem in seeing a Hepatologist!

Best Wishes,

Troutwhisperer