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Normal ultrasound, still a liver scare
by Chris_73, Jul 04, 2008 10:13AM
Hi everyone!
I have a question about the ultrasound of the liver (or abdominal ultrasound as a whole) and liver function tests. I went to see my gp two months ago complaining general itching (pruritus) and vague right upper quarter abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed nothing, but liver function tests revealed a slightly elevated AST (56), a GGT of 177 and total bilirubin of 22. The doctor said that there is unlikely to be anything seriously wrong with me (the upper normal referance value for bilirubin is 20 at least with the lab they use, and GGT, upper normal 70, is "a bit of joke, indicates nothing but boozing" according to the gp).
I was, however, worried enough to have an ultrasound in a private hospital. It revealed nothing at all, and the radiologist said not to worry.
Some weeks ago I spotted a spider naevus in my nose, and went back to my gp. He shrugged it off and said that it's nothing and there should be at least five and more likely in the torso area to indicate a liver disease. He also said that pruritus and spider naevi are end stage symptoms, and it would be quite weird for a guy who jogs 7 miles twice a week and lifts waits to be in an end stage cirrhosis. I have a history of heavy drinking for 12 years or so, which I told the doctor as well. He adviced to cut it down, of course.
So, what puzzles me is that do I have a liver disease (cirrhosis)? The pruritus is only mild to moderate, but it does not seem to go away. I have no other symptoms, and my high albumin (53) certainly does not point to an end stage liver disease. I feel fantastic, no nausea, tiredness, weight loss or the like - yesterday I ate two steaks and a mountain of potatoes after an hour at the gym!
Sorry for the long question, but the doctors certainly don't care to listen as they think I'm OK. But I do have some abnormal LFT ratings and a symptom and a sign of chronic liver disease. Has anyone heard (or experienced) of anyone being in perfect health + showing a clean ultrasound and yet having a developed cirrhosis? I know it's possible in theory, but is the chance like 1/1000?
I have a question about the ultrasound of the liver (or abdominal ultrasound as a whole) and liver function tests. I went to see my gp two months ago complaining general itching (pruritus) and vague right upper quarter abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed nothing, but liver function tests revealed a slightly elevated AST (56), a GGT of 177 and total bilirubin of 22. The doctor said that there is unlikely to be anything seriously wrong with me (the upper normal referance value for bilirubin is 20 at least with the lab they use, and GGT, upper normal 70, is "a bit of joke, indicates nothing but boozing" according to the gp).
I was, however, worried enough to have an ultrasound in a private hospital. It revealed nothing at all, and the radiologist said not to worry.
Some weeks ago I spotted a spider naevus in my nose, and went back to my gp. He shrugged it off and said that it's nothing and there should be at least five and more likely in the torso area to indicate a liver disease. He also said that pruritus and spider naevi are end stage symptoms, and it would be quite weird for a guy who jogs 7 miles twice a week and lifts waits to be in an end stage cirrhosis. I have a history of heavy drinking for 12 years or so, which I told the doctor as well. He adviced to cut it down, of course.
So, what puzzles me is that do I have a liver disease (cirrhosis)? The pruritus is only mild to moderate, but it does not seem to go away. I have no other symptoms, and my high albumin (53) certainly does not point to an end stage liver disease. I feel fantastic, no nausea, tiredness, weight loss or the like - yesterday I ate two steaks and a mountain of potatoes after an hour at the gym!
Sorry for the long question, but the doctors certainly don't care to listen as they think I'm OK. But I do have some abnormal LFT ratings and a symptom and a sign of chronic liver disease. Has anyone heard (or experienced) of anyone being in perfect health + showing a clean ultrasound and yet having a developed cirrhosis? I know it's possible in theory, but is the chance like 1/1000?
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