Help please

[BeccaCharlie]

I have many symptoms of liver disease, however, I have had normal bloods and 2 normal ultrasounds but I have Terry’s nails on 4 of my toe nails, I have 9 red cherry anigomas in my chest and back and pale stools. Itchy skin that comes and goes, insomnia etc. I do have a gall stone which was spotted on the ultrasound. Do Terry’s nails always mean cirrhosis or could it mean fibrosis and how accurate are bloods and ultrasounds. Heavy drinker for 17 years!! Only 37, not drinking now. Please help!!

[flyinlynn]

Normally Terry’s nails would effect all your nails not just 4 I doubt you have this condition.

Early cirrhosis has little to no symptoms. It is a silent illness. The most common early symptom would be putting edema swelling of the lower legs and feet. Next would be lowered platelet counts. Later you could develop esophageal varicies but this is without symptoms unless you have a bleeding event. Esophageal varicies are found with upper endoscopy. Another symptom is ascities which can get to the point where the patient appears pregnant due to retaining large quantities of fluid in the abdomen.

What you are experiencing could be many things or nothing. Nine cherry angiomas are likely because you are over 30 they don’t indicate anything.  

[flyinlynn]

Have you spoken with a doctor?

From Wikipedia

Terry’s Nails:

Although the abnormality can occur with normal aging, Terry's nails can also be an indication of an underlying medical condition, most notably, cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, and congestive heart failure.

Cherry Angiomas:

Red moles, or cherry angiomas, are common skin growths that can develop on most areas of your body. They're also known as senile angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots. They're usually found on people aged 30 and older. The collection of small blood vessels inside a cherry angioma give them a reddish appearance.

Pale Stools:
Pale or clay-colored stools are not normal. If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which is comprised of your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color.

Elevated liver enzymes only mean something is bothering your liver not the condition of your liver. Normal results mean your liver is not currently under attack from something.

I have cirrhosis due to being infected with hep c for 37 years. I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I do have hundreds of cherry angiomas but I had them for many years before I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. I do not have Terry’s nails or pale stools. I do not have itching as my bilirubin is normal. I do not have sleep reversal which is different from simple insomnia. Sleep reversal can be a symptom of Hepatic encephalopathy. Even though I have well established cirrhosis my liver enzymes are normal since I was cured of hep c. They were elevated when I had hep c because the virus was injuring my liver.

A common symptom of early cirrhosis is low platelet count. Mine have risen to 110 after I was cured of hep c. Minimum normal is 150.

Ultrasound is not normally used to diagnose cirrhosis but can confirm an existing diagnosis. My ultrasound says coarseness echo texture consistent with existing cirrhosis diagnosis. A normal ultrasound means they don’t see anything wrong with your liver they would see indications that would call for additional testing for confirmation.

My cirrhosis was diagnosed with liver biopsy. Most often today there is either a test called a Fibroscan which is not invasive like a liver biopsy is. Or a blood test called fibrosure. These can diagnose extent of liver disease.

My advice is maintain your sobriety and speak with your doctor for a proper diagnosis. I doubt you have cirrhosis.

Good luck