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Enlarged liver/frequent infections
I am a 21 year old female and over the past year and a half i have had an enlarged liver. When my test orginally came back with my liver enlarged i was tested for Hepititis a b &c and Hiv, and both were negative. I had blood work done for two months after the orginal test and it appeared that my liver was returning to normal so my doctor told me not to worry anymore. About a year later i got blood work done again, and my liver was enlarged again, over the past year i have also been sick with a variety of things (ear infections, eye infections, bacterial skin infections around my lips, Bacterial Vaginosis, Yeast infections, the list is endless)Also recently i had a pap done which showed abnormal cells, i will be having a repeat in 6 months. My Liver has now been enlarged for 3 months, and i am sick of getting blood work done ever 2 weeks and never getting any awnsers as to why i am constantly sick... please help any information or advice would be greaty appreciated.
I should also add that i have had a repeat Hepititis tests and hiv test which again were negative.
I should also add that i have had a repeat Hepititis tests and hiv test which again were negative.
Hi I have been drinking for nearly 3 yrs, it used to be 1/4 of Vodka 3 times a week, (21units) , which then become 100 units a week from Jan 2007 , then dropped down to 50units a week, i have diagnosed with 7cm enlarged liver, i am terrified, i am not an alcoholic, but i am having lots of personal problems at home, with girlfriend..etc, my face looks sick and flushed, i used to be body builder at gym, now, i cant even run for 2 mins, i put on weight, i have been asked to go for blood test and ultrasound scan of the liver
can some1 give me some advice please?
can some1 give me some advice please?
Those are all good things, that you don't drink, aren't overweight and eat a good diet.
You will get to the bottom of this, try not to worry too much.
Hopefully your bloodwork will offer the doctor some clues.
That's great you have had an ultrasound (indicating there are no masses, tumors or lesions) and you don't have mono, another good thing.
I realize you don't want to worry your Mom but on the other hand, if she is supportive to you you could use the support dealing with this. She will feel bad if she finds out later on that you didn't tell her!
Im a Mom, I know this is true. Sometimes it is better to deal with the doctor with a support person persent.
If you don't feel comfortable involving your Mom right now, how about a friend?
Hopefully it is no big deal and the doctor will be able to give you some answers. You might want to ask him about a biopsy and also ask him if he tested your AFP. It helps to get copies of your bloodwork results, that way you can go over it and learn what it all means. There are websites that explain each thing they test for in detail.
A liver biopsy is the only test they have that can really "see" what is going on in your liver. It is not a big deal like it sounds, you are in and out in a few hours.
Good luck with it, post your results when you get them and stay positive!
Just not knowing what is going on is very stressful. Hang in there.
You will get to the bottom of this, try not to worry too much.
Hopefully your bloodwork will offer the doctor some clues.
That's great you have had an ultrasound (indicating there are no masses, tumors or lesions) and you don't have mono, another good thing.
I realize you don't want to worry your Mom but on the other hand, if she is supportive to you you could use the support dealing with this. She will feel bad if she finds out later on that you didn't tell her!
Im a Mom, I know this is true. Sometimes it is better to deal with the doctor with a support person persent.
If you don't feel comfortable involving your Mom right now, how about a friend?
Hopefully it is no big deal and the doctor will be able to give you some answers. You might want to ask him about a biopsy and also ask him if he tested your AFP. It helps to get copies of your bloodwork results, that way you can go over it and learn what it all means. There are websites that explain each thing they test for in detail.
A liver biopsy is the only test they have that can really "see" what is going on in your liver. It is not a big deal like it sounds, you are in and out in a few hours.
Good luck with it, post your results when you get them and stay positive!
Just not knowing what is going on is very stressful. Hang in there.
I can awnser a couple of those questions for you. Im not sure what level in my liver are high, but my doctor tells me that it is something to be concerned about because people rarely rise above the normal unless something is wrong and mine are much higher than the normal levels. I have been tested for mono as well as my iron levels. I have had an ultrasound (over a year ago) also i am not over weight at all. I am a vegetarian so my eating is all around pretty healthy not alot of greasy foods. I also am not a big drinker and i haven't drank at all over the past 2 months. I am scheduled to have blood work done this friday and i have an appointment on mar 1st, i will ask my doctor to explain the results to me and i will post them here, or send them directly to you (via e-mail) for more advice. Lately i have been feeling exhausted no matter how much i sleep and i also have another ear infection (eerrrr). I haven't told my family yet that something is wrong, we have had alot of people with cancer in my family, and last time my liver was enlarged my mother was so upset,I would hate to put her through this again and find out that nothing is wrong. So you advice and caring words are greatly appriciated, i cannot thank you enough, you are the first person to give me any kind of information and advice. Please keep in contact my e-mail is laura_cutie69***@****
Thank-you to all who replied
Thank-you to all who replied
That must be a very frustrating (and frightening) situation for you. Hepatomegaly ( that is what you have, it means "enlarged liver") can also be caused by mononucleosis, did they test you for mono? At your age I would think they would have tested for that but check and see, that is a common cause for hepatomegaly. You should also be tested for hemochromatosis, that is a situation where you have too much iron in your blood, that too should be tested for and ruled out. There are other blood disorders that can cause it, you should also see a Hematologist if possible. It is a genetic condition, do others in your family have it? There are other blood disorders and underlying diseases that can cause it, you should also see a Hematologist ( blood disorder specialist)if possible. I believe some heart conditions can also cause it, that is another area they need to rule out.
All the problems you are having are troubling, someone has got to figure out the underlying cause of this for you!
Are you overweight? Do you eat poorly? NonAlcoholicFatty LiverDisease ( which simply means fat has collected in your liver and is clogging it up so it is not functioning properly)that can also cause this condition, it can be diagnosed through ultrasound. NAFLD is epedemic in our country, so that should be checked for. They are seeing more and more young people with this condition so you should be tested for it. Other problems such as biliary disorders, leukemia, heart problems and other blood disorders can cause this also, all of these things should be checked.
I would suggest that you see a liver specialist ( Heptologist) and get a second opinion right away. If you can't find a Heptologist then see another Gastroentrologist be either way, you need a specialist I think. You have to find out why this is happening before you can be treated for it. Don't let them blow you off and send you home with no answers,request a referral to someone who can answer your questions.
I am wondering what tests you have had done already and what the results of all your blood work say? Do you have any other illnesses or disorders? Are you diabetic, etc?Were there any areas of your bloodwork that were not in the normal range? Did they do a platelet count? Did they test your Alpha Feta Protein (AFP)level?
Have you had any of these tests done?
Ultrasound of the liver
Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen
Blood tests of liver function
Liver biopsy
If not, I would say that is the first step. At this point, I feel someone should have done more extensive testing to get more definitive answers for you. Are your parents available to go with you to the doctor? You need and deserve some answers, maybe if you have someone with you at the doctor ( like a parent or friend) they can help you advocate for you.
You have to find out what it is you are dealing with. Be sure not to drink any alcohol! Do not take any medications that you don't absolutely need either. Eat a low fat low sugar diet, all those things will make things easier on your liver. Alcohol is a very bad idea when you are having a liver problem, stay away from it if you happen to drink.
If you are seeing your "regular" doctor or a Gastroentrologist ask for a referral to a liver specialist.
If you do have your bloodwork results, post them here and I will try to help you figure out what it all means. Look on the paper and see what your AST/ALT numbers are.
I am just a person with a liver problem myself who has done a lot of research on the subject and I am not a doctor or medical professional, you really need a good doctor who will work this until he can give you some answers and some solutions.
Liver problems can be difficult to diagnose, try not to get discouraged. Don't let them send you home with no answers, make them help you find a doctor who CAN figure this out because at this point it is "chronic." It has gone on too long for you to still have no answers.
All the problems you are having are troubling, someone has got to figure out the underlying cause of this for you!
Are you overweight? Do you eat poorly? NonAlcoholicFatty LiverDisease ( which simply means fat has collected in your liver and is clogging it up so it is not functioning properly)that can also cause this condition, it can be diagnosed through ultrasound. NAFLD is epedemic in our country, so that should be checked for. They are seeing more and more young people with this condition so you should be tested for it. Other problems such as biliary disorders, leukemia, heart problems and other blood disorders can cause this also, all of these things should be checked.
I would suggest that you see a liver specialist ( Heptologist) and get a second opinion right away. If you can't find a Heptologist then see another Gastroentrologist be either way, you need a specialist I think. You have to find out why this is happening before you can be treated for it. Don't let them blow you off and send you home with no answers,request a referral to someone who can answer your questions.
I am wondering what tests you have had done already and what the results of all your blood work say? Do you have any other illnesses or disorders? Are you diabetic, etc?Were there any areas of your bloodwork that were not in the normal range? Did they do a platelet count? Did they test your Alpha Feta Protein (AFP)level?
Have you had any of these tests done?
Ultrasound of the liver
Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen
Blood tests of liver function
Liver biopsy
If not, I would say that is the first step. At this point, I feel someone should have done more extensive testing to get more definitive answers for you. Are your parents available to go with you to the doctor? You need and deserve some answers, maybe if you have someone with you at the doctor ( like a parent or friend) they can help you advocate for you.
You have to find out what it is you are dealing with. Be sure not to drink any alcohol! Do not take any medications that you don't absolutely need either. Eat a low fat low sugar diet, all those things will make things easier on your liver. Alcohol is a very bad idea when you are having a liver problem, stay away from it if you happen to drink.
If you are seeing your "regular" doctor or a Gastroentrologist ask for a referral to a liver specialist.
If you do have your bloodwork results, post them here and I will try to help you figure out what it all means. Look on the paper and see what your AST/ALT numbers are.
I am just a person with a liver problem myself who has done a lot of research on the subject and I am not a doctor or medical professional, you really need a good doctor who will work this until he can give you some answers and some solutions.
Liver problems can be difficult to diagnose, try not to get discouraged. Don't let them send you home with no answers, make them help you find a doctor who CAN figure this out because at this point it is "chronic." It has gone on too long for you to still have no answers.
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