Undergoing Diagnosis

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, I would like to say that I am so glad to have come across this forum.  I have been searching for an active community to touch base with.  I guess, I am now the new guy on the block when it comes to Liver disease......

I am 49 Y.O. and am waiting to get an appointment with a liver specialist.  Just had tons of blood work done yesterday.  I am scared and confused - especially about my symptoms and was wondering what the forum thinks of them.

Back in March, I started to get pitting edema in my legs, my belly got very bloated and swollen - but not to the point of having my belly button pop.  It was sort of "just" uncomfortable.  I also started to itch.  Not intensely, but I noticed it.  I went and got an ultrasound, and the tech asked me if I was an "alcoholic".  I was a little confused by this question - especially coming from a tech.  In terms of alcohol - I mean I drink when I go out with my friends on the weekends - maybe a few times a year, wine at dinner on special occassions, etc. Summer BBq's and that sort of thing, but months could go by without drinking alcohol.  Anyway, my doctor told me that I have something wrong with my liver and ordered these new blood test and gave me a name of a liver specialist.  What is interesting is that five years ago I had a Total Thyroidectomy due to Hashimoto Thyroidist - an autoimmune thyroid disorder.  I understand that there is an Autoimmune Hepatitis.   Does anyone know anything about this.  What is more interesting is that my mother had the same thing, had her thyroid out, and passed away during a liver transplant in 1991.  Could this be coincidence?  In terms of symptoms, the swelling went down in my belly and my legs, I'm not as tired, I am still anemic, no bleeding, no nevi, no weightloss or wasting.   Can you have mixed symptoms from different stages of hepatitis?

[Trinity4]

According to what I read you have not been diagnosed with hepatitis c?  If that is the case and the doctors think your symptoms may be related to autoimmune hepatitis you may want to post on the hepatitis autoimmune forum.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-Autoimmune/show/224

[FlGuy]

As you know, Hepatitis is a generic term.  There are several flavors; an alphabet full and autoimmune and others.  When your doc ordered those tests did he give you results?  I'd guess that they include basic bloodwork plus a liver panel - maybe some antibody tests for some of the lettered ones.

[CourageToHeal]

Thanks Trinity!

You are correct, I am not yet diagnosed.  They pulled all my hep blood panels yesterday.  I will take your advice and post on that forum also.  I'm just confused at this point.  

Thanks Again.....

[CourageToHeal]

Hi there!

Other than the tech asking me about alcoholism, they seem confused.  Yes, the bloodwork included all the "heps" and the Alpha Fet Protein.   Looks like I am just going to have to wait this out.  They told me it could take over 3 months to be dx correctly.    I appreciate your response.  To be honest, self diagnosing is driving me insane.

[FlGuy]

There is nothing wrong with self-diagnosing.  You've come to the place where we cure, diagnose and treat all sorts of maladies and diseases, medical knowledge is not needed.  Have a problem with your colon and lower digestive systems and plumbing? We have those kind of experts too.

[Trinity4]

That's right FlGuy and if you aren't scared when you get here you will be by the time you leave. :)