How damaged is my liver?

[Analogueanimal]

Aged 25, I started drinking in 2014, I used to drink very little, maybe once a month or so and eventually started drinking 2-3 times a week. I used to drink around 180ml of vodka or whiskey. In 2015, the frequency was more - I would drink 4 times a week (same 180ml a night). This continued for a little more than a year till 2016. I used to drink once or twice a week in 2017. I had a Liver function Test and my enzymes were slightly higher. Then I stopped for a few months, I didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms. End of December, I drank everyday for a month. However, in 2018, I have only drank 1-3 bottles of wine or 180-250 ml of whiskey a month.

In short:

2014 : Once a month

2015 : 180ml whiskey or vodka 1 or 4 times a week for a year

2016 : 180ml whiskey or vodka 1 or 4 times a week till the end of the year

2017 : 180-250ml vodka 1-2 times a week for half a year. In December, I drank everyday

2018 : A bottle of wine or 180ml vodka 1-3 times a month

I have developed constant abdonominal discomfort, sometimes it is painful and sometimes it is tolerable. I don’t have any other symptoms. The pain used to disappear when I stopped drinking but from the past 2 months, the pain has been constant. When I go for a run, I can my liver going up and down. I got an ultrasound done and it shows there is a diffuse increase in echotexture - Fatty liver. However, the liver is normal in size. Pancreas and everything else is normal. My doctor has suggested a fibroscan to check if the pain can be from stiff liver and I am waiting for my LFT tests.

Was my drinking too much to cause scarring, fibrosis or cirrhosis? I am really scared.

PS, I am not a smoker.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Analogue

The odds are that you are more afraid than you need to be. Everyone is different so it isn't possible for anyone to tell you your status without the testing. A lot of things can cause difficulty for your liver but the best thing about alcohol is that you can just not drink it. Absent some other genetic driver, if you stop consuming things that are bad for the liver it has a good chance to manage itself. Develop a healthy diet with no alcohol and you will benefit yourself. From there the testing can help you understand what you have to deal with. At your age be sure that the doctors examine genetic and autoimmune factors as you need to know if you might be dealing with some variations that are creating a challenge for you. The Fibroscan is one important step in understanding your liver status.

Wayne

[Analogueanimal in reply to nash2]

I was pretty addicted before. I liked the feeling of it and I drank but I don't feel the need to drink again, I like to wake up fresh and early. I have almost stopped drinking, the last time I drank was a few beers 2 weeks ago at a wedding party. Will talk to my doctor about genetic and autoimmune factors. None of my family members are addicted to alcohol if that is related to anything.

[nash2 Partner in reply to Analogueanimal]

addiction is a pretty individual thing. I'm glad you seem to be able to manage changing your habits. If you do have a liver issue it is important. Best of luck with it.

Wayne

[Analogueanimal in reply to nash2]

Got my LFT results. Strangely, everything is very normal.

[nash2 Partner in reply to Analogueanimal]

Blood tests are often normal even with liver disease. Good that they are OK but you need the Fibroscan to tell you about how much damage has been done.

Wayne

[huldc in reply to Analogueanimal]

is good that you are going to stop drinking....keep it up! Liver have no nerve, so it won;t feel pain until it gets really bad. If you only have some symptoms but blood test is normal, the best thing is to take liver supplement. This way, you have an insurance of repair the already damage, protect and maintain your liver. For me, i take Livolin Forte, this supplement really help my liver problem. u can check out the details on ebay or ecrater