Fatty Liver

[Jigger]

About 7 months ago, I went to my internist suffering from epigastric pain. My internist, who is also my best friend, ran a complete physical on me. The whole nine yards. Two days later he called back and said that everything was just fine except my liver enzymes were slightly high. ALT 70 and AST 58. Their lab scale is 0-59. He was not real concerned about this, but he did want to find out why I was having epigastric pain, so the next day we did an ultrasound of my belly. I had significant fatty liver. I immediately got nervous. I unfortunately have been a very heavy beer drinker since my feshman year in college. I'm 32. So, for 15 years. I'm an avid jogger and kind of thought it would all balance out. This is not the case unfortunately. I would not say that I drank every day, but I drank very heavy when I drank. Needless to say, I have not drank since the day, I got that news. And after studying the liver on the web for the past 7 months, I never will. My enzymes were back in the low normal range within 3 days. And my fatty liver disappeared within 3 weeks. My uncle is a radiologist and he ran an MRI and an ultrasound on me. He said, I was fine just lay off the beer. The internet is full of so much information, I started worrying about my liver. Fibrosis was my main concern and still is. The imaging test that I have had do not show microscopic scarring. My internist as well as my uncle have told me that a biopsy is out of the question. I do not have any other concurrent damage occuring like HEP C. They said that my liver is perfectly fine. My other liver panels have been OK also. Bilirubin( direct and indirect, PT, albumin, ect. My stomach pain turned out to be gastritis. I've had every test in the world run on me to find this out. Hida-scan,barium swallow, and finally and upper endoscopy that revealed gastritis. It has passed and I feel great except for my anxiety and guilt from drinking all those years. I woory because I'm marrying a beautiful girl in May and want to live a long healthy life with her. Do you concure with my internist. He say's I'm very healthy for my age. I run 10 miles a day and have since I was 17. Even with all the drinking. He said a biopsy might show come minimal fibrosis, but it was not compromising my liver and was of absolutely no significance. My uncle, the radiologist agrees. He says--"GET OVER IT"    Can someone have mild fibrosis and live a normal lifespan? I probably do not even have fibrosis, but what if I do. Your in put would be Appreciated----  AL

[EllieC]

Hi and thank you for responding.  I am 47 and about 30 lbs overweight.  I am borderline diabetic, but that was based on one score when I was checked in the doctor's office and not a fasting score.  I have checked my blood sugar at home daily since and it is usually between 96 and 110..sometimes 116.  I have one uncle with adult diabetes but he controls by eating properly.  Can you tell me what the life expectance is for someone with possible stage 2 fibrosis of the liver.  Mine is most likely due to an immune disorder.  I have been tested for everything else and negative (Hepatitis, AIDS, etc.) Can you tell me about the stages and their time frames especially about the life expectancy.  I have not been told I am stage 2, but I read someone in here on one of the posts that when fibrosis is present, without bridging it is considered stage 2.  I can't get in to the Hepatoligst for another 6 weeks and I would like to know as much as possible before I do see him, so I knoow the appropriate questions to ask.  Thank you for any info you can provide.

[roxnsox]

You should go to the liver foundation website and do some reading there.  www.liverfoundation.org.  
How old are you? Are you overweight?  Does diabetes run in your family?  I will try to answer some of your questions if you post again.  

   roxnsox

[EllieC]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and have been trying to find some answers to my questions, but what I read (the abbreviations and terms are greek to me)and try as might I can't find anything close to what I am wanting to know. So, if anyone cares to shed some light I would be most appreciative. I recently had a liver biopsy cause my LFT's are too high. The radiologist did mine and although they said I wouldn't feel anything....it hurt! They gave me a mild sedative, but it was just too mild cause I felt everything. Anyway, I got my results back and all my GI doc said was that I needed to see a hepatologist. I haven't a clue except that they ruled out hepatitis. Here are my results I have calcified granulomas are seen in the liver and spleen. I have severe steatosis with mild periportal and lobular activity with portal and periportal fibrosis without evidence of bridging. Can someone please tell me what this all means. I know I have fatty liver, but I do not drink or take drugs...never have. So can someone please explain and also tell me how serious this is and what will the hepatologist be doing? I know that having fibrosis of the liver is not good...but please someone tell me just how serious this is. Sorry for the length of this post..and thank you in advance.
Ellie

[Jigger]

I probably don't have any fibrosis. I just wonder if I do will it cause me problems in the future. I'm getting married in May and just worry. I feel guilty for all the beer I drank!

[Patrick J.]

Don't feel guilty, those were you "party years". Now it's time to move on, into a new part of your life. If you drink from now on, drink sensibly, or not at all. If you have mild fibrosis (which I highly doubt) it shouldn't affect your lifespan, unless you continued to abuse your liver. BTW, Take Milk Thistle for your liver health. I use the "Solgar" brand.  Pat

[Jigger]

Thanks Pat,

  I have been taking milk thistle and drinking some sort of liver detox tea. I realize those are your party years, but you read about so many people on the web dying of cirrhosis at 30 or even younger. It is scary. I was a heavy drinker. Not every day, but when I did I did it up. I would love to drink in moderation, but I'm not sure I can. I can not get my doctor to give me a direct answer to the whole fibrosis thing. he just say's your fine!! "If you have any it is not significant"  JEFF