what does diffuse hepatocellular disease

[gss2003]

imply from an ultrasound report?

[gss2003]

exactly that fatty liver shouldn't cause swollen ankles and should not really exist even 2 years after ceasing drinking.

i did get a lose does HZTC for 20 days or so and then the PCP didn't prescribe again. I'll see with the Hepatologist this Friday.

Read that fatty liver & cirrhosis can commonly be confused/mis-diagnosed on an ultrasound.

[boron]

Anyone proposed you any treatment with diuretics? Fatty liver itself should not cause water retention. I think you have the right to know what is with your liver (biopsy), since from this further treatment exists.

[gss2003]

yes, who knows. hopefully not CHF. was a heavy, heavy drinker for many years.

[boron]

Hm, swollen ankles...well, yes, this is a sign of water retention, now only is it from liver, heart or kidney.

Enlarged liver may also be fro congestive heart failure. So, if you solve this fluid issue first, maybe liver will shrink somewhat.

[gss2003]

i try and really limit salt, definently below 2000 mg/day.

I have an appointment with a hepatologist on Friday and bringing copy of recent labs and ultrasound summary. hopefully gleen something or determine next steps.

have consistent swollen ankled and pain/discomfort in liver region.

[boron]

15+ from fluid retention would cause ascites. If you lay down on the back, press with the side of one hand on the middle of abdomen, and hit yourself with the other hand from the side of abdomen, you would feel like a wave - if it is ascites (fluid). If it is fat, there is no wave, or at least not obvious wave.

If you think, you use a lot of salt, you may want to lower the salt intake. Less salt in the body, less water in the body.

Almost anything you eat (fats, carbohydrates and proteins), may turn into a fat within the body. Being overweight will not heal fatty liver, no matter what you eat.

[gss2003]

yes, agreed, trying to get one done. But may have to go ABN route and pay myself. The doctors probably don't think it's medically necessary. I would rather know obviously for purposes of levels of ongoing monitoring with scans, blood tests, etc.

I eat very well. Low fat, no fried foods, limited red meats, etc. And I've gained 15+ pounds, which I believe is mostly fluid retention.

[boron]

Fatty liver is also from overweight, or from high-fat diet. So, beside dropping alcohol, only some serious diet can reverse fatty liver into normal liver. But again, to distuinguish fatty liver and cirrhosis, a liver biopsy would be needed - it is done through the abdominal skin.

[gss2003]

It said fatty infiltration too, but I've read that fatty liver and cirrhosis can be commonly confused on ultrasound alone.

labs appear normal, but have fatty liver even after 2 years post any drinking.

[boron]

This is a question for a doctor who made an ultrasound.

It may be a fatty liver, hepatitis or cirrhosis, but this often can't be said from ultrasound alone. Liver biopsy can only show it for sure. If it is hepatitis, it can be diagnosed with liver tests (blood test).