What is a hepatologist

[wendymcbride]

Never heard of of a hepatologist? Is it a stomach Dr

[Karaliz]

No, a hepatologist is a Dr who specialises in the liver.

[wendymcbride in reply to Karaliz]

My liver enzymes are elevated now but no one ever cares to look into it. I actually need to take pain medicine for the pain that my digestion causes me. Does pbc cause pain?

[Ballymahon2 in reply to wendymcbride]

You should see a hepatologist do you live in america or you cansee a gastroenterologist

Your primary doc should refer you

Good luck

[wendymcbride]

I have creepy ant feelings under my skin when my food digests. I have a real fear of it because the feeling is awful. I thought I was crazy and googled it and it brought me to this website.

[Ktltel]

Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders

Stella ❤

[wendymcbride]

I have autoimmune hepatitis. Never knew there was pbc. So there is special test for it? I just feel relieved that the ants under my skin feeling is not in my head.

[Ballymahon2 in reply to wendymcbride]

Some people wendy have overlap syndrome pbc/ aih

You should get it checked

[jane1964]

Hello as others have said a hepatologist specializes in the liver while a gastroenterologist deal with the whole digestive system including for example diabetes so less specialized in the liver so a hepatologist is better to see for pbc.The initial testing is a blood test looking for an autoimmune antibody called AMA and liver function tests looking to see if anything especially alkaline phosphatase is elevated.

[jane1964]

I read somewhere that gastroenterologist deal with diabetes I expect endocrinologist do too the dividing lines seem somewhat blurred.I know I was referred to gastro from my hepatologist when they decided I needed a colonoscopy.I think gastro consultants do sometimes see pbc patients but a hepatologist is more specialized in liver only and so better for a relatively rare condition like pbc.

[Hidden in reply to jane1964]

Yes...it is best to see a hepatologist for pbc. I think some folks see GI’s if the doctor feels knowledgeable enough to treat or if it is a challenge to find a hepatologist in that geographic locale. My primary doctor is a GI & he referred me to a hepatologist. He was not familiar with pbc. Both my GI & hepatologist perform colonoscopies.