pathology report

a live biopsy report reads.
Slight portal tract inflammation and slight fatty changes are
present, minimal fibrosis is seen. A moderate amount of
hopatocellular Iron is present. Is this a sign of a liver
disease. Whats the prognosis for this person. He was a
heavy drinker. What about the hepatocellular Iron?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

This is a nonspecific report suggesting slight fatty changes (which  can be caused by alcoholic fatty liver or NASH - non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.  Liver fibrosis are changes that can be caused by chronic liver disease.  

It is impossible to predict a prognosis based on a single liver biopsy result without knowing the patient's presentation and other lab tests.  

Hepatocellular iron can be caused from iron overload diseases like hemochromatosis.  

If this is a consideration, this should be discussed with this person's personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[Sarah Connors]

If you are the same person with a few earlier posts, the following are my suggestions in general & regarding the biopsy report. Please correct me where I am wrong.

[Liver test]

thanks, so these are early signs of possible cirrhosis

[Sarah Connors]

You

[Liver test]

Thanks,
Is their any treatment to get my iron back to normal. I
belevie this is why I don' feel well. My body feels like
its chemically imbalanced. My appointment with my Dr. is not till
next week. My LFT test are still ok.

[Sarah Connors]

[Liver test]

My Ferritin was almost double. My Dr. said thats no big
deal. That now problerly explains why I have the iron
in my biopsy report. What is ferritin? The amount of iron
in your body.   Thanks.

[Liver test]

Thanks, ferritin was almost double when I got it tested.
Doctor said no big deal. That may now expain why I have
moderate iron in my liver? Hopefully the damage is done and
my liver will stay the same. Also I have had symptoms of
liver disease but most have gone away. Is this normal or
a good or bad sign. My biopsy shows damage, just how much.
Thanks again

[Sarah Connors]

[Liver test]

Thanks again.
* Test results that I have had. Had a liver spleen results
came back normal. Also right upper quadrant ultrsound. Results
came back as NORMAL. Said the liver was (homogeneous and texture
without focal lesion). Iron test- Iron 72 (range 45-182)
Transferrin 231 (range 180-329) TIBC 325 (range 241-421
Ceruloplasmin 22 ranage (18-36) Ferritin 550 range 22-322.

* skin looks good had numerous doctors visits and the liver
never was mentioned as enlarged.

* symptoms- most have gone away or gotton better.
   Lost 20 pds., tired, growling in the stomache area,
   uranate alot, dry mouth.
* Liver function test still normal. I know I have damage.
  I hope I don't develope cirrhosis or any other possible
  disease that will shut down my liver.

Thanks again for your time. Besides alchol anything else
should I stay away from that may affect my liver. I don't
take any meds.

[Sarah Connors]

[Liver test]

ok thanks my appt. is not for 2 weeks.   thanks again

[Liver test]

would you recommend a ERCP test for sclerosing cholangitis
based on the enlarged portal tracts and minimal fibrosis.My
doctor says my biopsy looks good as long as I stop drinking.
I've read on Sclerosing cholangitis and this could be the
start of it????   Thanks

[Sarah Connors]

[Liver test]

Thanks again, I'm going to see another Dr. this week as the
Doctor that performed the Biopsy said I'm all set as my
liver should last for 50 years as he put it. When I ask
him about other test or symptoms I have ,he says no big
deal and is not looking to do other test. He did'nt even
think I needed any follow up. Seems these doctors just want
you in and out as quick as possible. Should I show the
Dr. my biopsy report and then ask him for certain test.
I have been to this Dr. before but he took liver function
test that came back normal twice in 5 months and he thinks
that nothing is wrong with me. When I mention symptoms he
makes nothing of them and says some of them are in my mind.
My goal is to get test that will confirm I have no
liver disease that will cirrosis (cirrhosis) my liver in the future.
This is hard to do with these doctors as they seem to be
in a world of their own. Nothing for Nothing but they
make good money off my appt. and they should listen to me
a little although most of my info. comes from the internet
which they seem not to like. How should I approach the doctor
this week. He knows I worrried sick about this and also blames
some of my symptoms on stress. thanks I'll get to the bottom
of this eventually but its been 6 months so far. Other than the
ercp is the U/s a good measure of how your bile ducks look.
I also had a liver splean that dye was enjected into my veins.
Thats was a few months ago and game back good. What do that
test for.

[Liver test]

sarah the pathology report states

Slight portal tract inflammation and slight fatty change
are present, minimal fibrosis is seen   ( grade 0 1 /4+)

Like I said Doctor said my liver will last a long time
with these results. Are these normal results for someone
who has had a history of alchol abuse. Or is it possible
it could be from a liver disease, like I'am worried about.
                              Thanks confussed

[Sarah Connors]

[Liver test]

went today to gastro. He did not seem concerned about
anything. He said my biopsy which I showed him the
report showed nothing really wrong. Was not willing to do
any test as he has performed 2 liver function tests
over the last 4 months and they are normal. Also said
scherosing cholangitis is rare and not caused by alchol.
Says I'm fine and thinks its in my head. Should I go to
my primary doctor or make an appointment with another
gastro. Thanks for all you help and I am very worried
about this.