Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Severe Alcoholic - I think I am dieing

Hi All,

I hope everyone is well. This is a serious topic and I honestly think I am dieing.

I have been drinking heavily for around 4.5 years now (anywhere between 60-100 units per week).

**Stats** - 5 foot 7 (170cm)
**Weight** - 56kg (normally 50kg)
**Age** - 32

**Symptoms** - Weight gain +6kg over the last 2 years( I am naturally very skinny) and **Abdomen looks very bloated/large and unnatural compared to rest of the body and my ribs are showing.** I even look skinnier at 56kg than I did at 50kg, except for my abdomen.

The reason I say very heavy drinking is because 60-100 units per week for a 50kg male I think is considered very heavy drinking.

In this time, I have visited my doctor and I have had 2 ultrasounds. First one was in July 2020 and second was in February 2022. Both times they said the scans came back normal, which is shocking. After reading many topics I was lead to believe that the ultrasound is the gold standard for testing any liver problems/fluid.

So does this mean I am perfectly fine even though 2 ultrasounds say everythings okay?

Thanks guys!
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
683231 tn?1467323017
Heavy Alcohol Use:
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week.

Actually, an ultrasound is not the gold standard for detecting liver damage a liver needle biopsy is.

An ultrasound may be able to detect some of the serious changes that would occur in advanced liver disease it’s not really the best way to diagnose liver damage. However without other symptoms or blood tests indicating liver damage a liver biopsy would not be warranted.

An ultrasound would be able to tell if your swollen abdomen was due from a “beer belly” as opposed to having fluid retention in your abdomen called ascites which is a symptom of advanced liver disease.

My question to you would be how are your liver enzyme tests ALT AST and GGT?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Cirrhosis of the Liver Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Avatar universal
Ro, Romania
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.