mystery liver problem and hats the difference between enlarged and fatt liver?

hi
wondering if i can get some advice please.

im 31 from uk, not overweight, exercice,jogg,cycle few times a week.but recently have been due to bein unwel, im sufferig from hypoglycemia symptoms (neg for diabetes) will be seeing dr about it, also stomach problems ith ibs and chronic diarhea (diarrhea) also pain in the upper right abdomen where the liver is, could be an ulcer in the deudenum as im positive for h.pylori so will get that treated, also looking to get a colon scopy soon( reason is because have history of colon cancer in family).

i am neg for all hep viruses and neg for autoimmune hep.my alt has been in the 60s,80s 100s for many years last records show since 2003 also few ultrasounds had ben done shoing liver is fine,

i recently had another ultrasound shows fatty and inflamed liver, this could be due to my occasional drinking but the last time i drank was over 2 years ago and if i did srik would be once or twice in a month and only done that for a few years, but it can cause it also diet may be blamed.


my question is, whats causing the high alt? can anyone suggest anything or give advice, i know bipsy would confirm alot of things, would you say i should be concerned ad push the dr to do more checks? if so what ca i get done?scan?

[tony5]

also whats the difference between enlarged liver and fatty, are the both the same?

[tony5]

any ids guys?

[aMom21]

Hi Tony,

Fatty liver is exactly what it says, too much fat in the liver.  An infammed liver is a swollen liver or hepitis.  Fatty liver can cause an increase in liver enzymes.

Hope this helps.  Take care.

[tony5]

so fatty liver is just fat in the liver

enlarged liver means swollen liver due to inflammed/hepatitis?

[mikesimon]

A fatty liver may cause inflammation which can result in an enlarged liver.

There are several types of fatty liver disease - simple fatty liver disease (steatosis), non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),  alcoholic fatty liver.and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which can be very serious.

The point is a fatty liver can cause inflammation and result in an enlarged liver and elevated liver enzymes. Since viral and autoimmune hepatitis have been ruled out in your case I think your fatty liver might well be causing your elevated liver enzymes.

It appears that insulin resistance may play a significant role in the development of fatty liver. I would want to follow up with a hepatologist to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Here is a site which discusses this subject in some detail.

http://www.medicinenet.com/fatty_liver/article.htm

Good luck,
Mike

[tony5]

thank you very much, never thought of insulin resistance, my diet is always high in sugar, it had almost become a repacment of meals, eating 3 choclate bars and fizzy drinks every day with more junkfood, especially plenty of lucozade, which is high in glucose, so i do admit my diet has been really bad for many years, the only thing is my alt was raised when i didnt have fatty liver thats my concern, what could have caused it at that point for many years? i've only developed fatty liver within a period of 2 years. my chelestrol was quite high when i got it checked,

i did go o the hepatologist, he didn't do any checks after this, he blamed it all on fatty liver and to exercise have a healthy diet and not to eat 3 hopurs before i sleep, i normally have a habbit of eating just before i sleep.

i have my appointment again in 2 weeks, i wil raise concern about insulin resistance,

i am having to see a gastroentologist for my diahrea and stool problems, including stomach pains, i do have family history of colon cancer so i am going to be checked for this, could a possible colon cancer spread to the liver for 5 years cause this? thats one thing i havent ben tested for liver cancer, do you have any info on this and how much of a risk i could be at of this illness

thanks a million

tony

[mikesimon]

If colon cancer is in your family history then you should definitely get that checked out.

I think a major change in your diet is a really smart move. I don't understand all of the aspects of insulin resistance but I do know that a diet full of sugars/carbohydrates in not in your interest.

Hypoglycemia can occur in a patient with insulin resistance even though that may sound counter-intuitive. It's too complicated for me but I know the two disorders can co-exist.

I wouldn't jump to "liver cancer" Tony.
You could discuss it with your doctor and hopefully that will relieve your anxiety.

Here are sites about liver cancer symptoms. I think you'll agree that, from what you've said, these symptoms don't sound like you.

http://livercancersymptoms.org/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liver-cancer/DS00399/DSECTION=symptoms

My advice is to start eating a healthy diet, try not to worry too much and make a list of questions that you want to ask your doctor. We tend to forget when we're at the appointment so a list can be very helpful.

Good luck,
Mike

[tony5]

thab you again

you're the first person to have made alot of sense to me, thank you soo much mike,
im going to be eating healthy, less sugar in my diet, lot of exercise, also suspecting gluten intolerance, going for a blood test fot that, i have my appointment with the hepatlogist and a gastroentologist soon, so will make a list of questions

thanks again

tony

[mikesimon]

It is my pleasure Tony.
I wish you the very best.
Mike

[tony5]

hi

just wanted to update you, again thankyou for your help, i have lost quite abit of weight and also have changed my diet, i have also began taking vitamin E, just got my results
for LFT, the ALT is 34 right down to normal, after 8 years of raised ALT, the dr was shocked that it had come down, vitamin E i believe has helped me more then anything else, but yeah such a relief to see my lfts normal after soo many years.

im still fairly ill, i dont have many of the symptoms i had before, they more on the weaknes side, maybe due to the dieting, again thanks mike, you been great, because of what you advised i was able to work this out, things cant be fixed in one go, so one at a time and this hopfully is my light at the end of the tunnel

many thanks mike

[mikesimon]

I'm thrilled for you Tony. That is really great news!
Now you just gotta star feeling better and I think you will given a little time.
Your number do look great!

Stay well,
Mike