Liver Disease Symptoms?

[LJ2007]

Hi, 37 female with past history of heavy drinking. Almost everyday in my twenties, took three years off when kids where born when I was 30, and then probably two times a week until March of this year when I quit. Three years ago I noticed all my toenails turned white. Podiatrist said not fungal. Dermatologist asked if I was anaemic? Dr. did bloodwork, CBC and Liver function, all normal. Ultrasound was normal except for two old calcified granulomas in the liver which Dr. said was no big deal. Last November I started developing spider angiomas on chest (5) and Dr. sent me for Abdominal Ct Scan which showed normal size liver with two small cysts and two calcified granulomas possibly reprensenting old tuberculosis, no free fluid, patent portal vein. Bloodwork was again normal.  Since March more spiders have developed on my arms and more recently my palms turned very red and splotchy. All bloodtests have been normal (five in the last three years),  Dr. said I'm needlessly alarming and does not believe I have Cirrhosis. He will send me for another ultrasound to ease my mind but with normal bloodwork and other tests he cannot refer me for a biopsy and my insurance wouldn't pay for one unless my liver function tests are abnormal.Dermatologist says spiders are just aging and there is no way I'm pregnant. My questions are:

Is it possible to have three major symptoms of Cirrhosis (Terry's nails (on toes not fingers), red palms, and spiders) and not have liver disease or cirrhosis? Could these symptoms be caused from the past chronic heavy drinking alone or from something else?

What are calcified granulomas in the liver. Ct scan said they probably represent old Tuberculosis but I never had Tuberculosis.

Are ultrasounds and Ct scans a pretty good indicator of liver damage and should I quit worrying about these cosmetic symptoms?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these for me.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Cirrhosis is unlikely given the imaging results and lab tests.  The only way to know for sure would be to do a liver biopsy - but no physician will consider this in light of non-suggestive blood and imaging tests.  

Granulomas can be caused by old infections (not just TB).  Cysts can also lead to this finding.  

If the tests are non-revealing, I would look outside the hepatic system.  A biopsy of the skin lesions can be considered for a more definitive diagnosis.

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.
kevinmd_

[princ]

To summarize my history I am 50, have had hysterectomy due to large cysts in ovaries and ongoing digestion problems for many years. I used to vomit after I ate and finally isolated what I think to be the cause = allergy to wheat. I no longer vomit. However, my stomach is very bloated and yesterday I noticed a lump like feeling under my right rib area to the center of my chest and somewhat on the left. I have had belching, feel gassy but do have what I consider to be normal bowel movements although more frequent recently probably due to my stress. I am scared to death upon discovering the lump. I have had to take pain medication for many years due to arthritis as well as anti inflamatory drugs caused me worse problems. Also I was diagnosed with Iritis and take drops for that. I am waiting for a CT scan. I had a B swallow a few years ago in 2004 which said I was slow to digest move food over.....Not sure what to do?

[princ]

[JOHN GRANDE]

HELLOW SIR MY DAUGTHER IS 20 YEARS OLD.SHE HAS A HIGH LIVER COUNT ONE IS 374 THE OTHER IS 272. HAD A ULTASOUND DONE WAS NORMAL FOUND A MOTIVATED GOLD STONE DID NOT FIND ANY THING ELES WRONG. DID BLOOD WORK 2 TIMES SAME #S CAME OUT .SHE DOES NOT DRINK ONLY A WINE COOLER 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK.SHE HAS BIN ON THE NEWTRASYSTEM DIET FOR 7 MONTHS AND LOST 55 LBS.TOLD US TO GO SEE A SPECALIST.WE ARE A LITTLE CONCERED ABOUT WHATS GOING ON.CAN YOU PLEASE HELP A LITTLE  JOHN GRANDE THANKS

[lizziecee]

Hi John, sorry to hear about your daughter's liver problems.
Unfortunately, you can't piggy back on anyone else's post in order to get an answer from Dr. Pho, the system doesn't work that way. Dr. Pho usually doesn't read supplemental questions, and once he has answered the initial poster's question, he doesn't do any follow up. In order for him to answer, you have to make a new post, pay $16, and the site only allows 2 or 3 questions per day for him.

You might try posting in the Gastroenterology Communities portion of this site. You can access it at Medical Communiies at the top left of the screen. Someone there may know the answer as we often get liver problem questions. That portion of the site is unmoderated and you can post as often as you like.
Liz.

[Liz58]

Hi I have been experiencing server pain in my lower right side and sometime something inside starts to flap around in there I have been vomitting,I have mentioned it heaps of times to four GPs but the not hearing me.I recently went to see a Neurologist to have botoxs to control musle spasms and they did a blood test while I was there and sent me the results three days later.
In the blood test there were some slight variations from a couple of the test.
One of them was a liver function test and another was a test called HbA1c,could someone explain these findings for me please please.

[lizziecee]

Sorry to hear of your problems. Do you have a copy of the blood tests or pathology report after the liver function tests?  Can you write them here for us to look at? You don't give enough information as to the results for us to help you. Please post back with specific results and we will see if anyone on here can help. We are not doctors or nurses, just ordinary people with gastro problems, but it may be that someone can throw some light on your results (greg or bip?).
Take care,
Liz.

[PikaPika88]

Liz is right.  I'm just one of the patient who suffer a lot, a lot and now I learn a lot too.  

LFT in here also call Bio Chemistry Test.  I have a few done.....  As Liz said, you need to post your number and normal range level here.  HbA1c is the test for diabete.  It average out of six months activity in your blood glucose level.  I also have this done every six month.