Done with the treatment, but enlarged liver!

[pink86]

Hello,

I had Hepatitis C, and I finished my treatment at the end of February 2014, so almost two years now.  I took the PCR test recently and the results came out as "undetected" which is good! However, the doctor asked also to make ultrasound to check my liver and it shows that my liver is "mildly enlarged with 19 cm in length"! Is this normal?

I'm wondering why I have enlarged liver since I don't have the virus anymore? I asked the doctor she said because you have Hepatitis and you should be careful with taking medications because you are not cured! you just have the virus as inactive and it can get activated if you used medication, etc! Her words didn't make any sense to me. She was not a specialist tho! Is she right?

Any ideas anyone? I don't and never drink and I didn't use any medication since I finished my treatment

Thank you

[flyinlynn]

Any recovery of the liver is highly dependent on the extent of liver damage you may have. The more damage you have the longer it will take to recover if ever.

I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in 01/2008 form hep c. I was cured this year but from what I have read I have a 50/50 chance of over many years going from F4 to F3

[pink86]

But if the cause is gone, shouldn't the liver got normal by now? I mean the liver is the only portion that If you cut part of it, it will grow back again.

Thanks for your reply

[pink86]

I'm not saying there isn't any people with hepatitis C  in Saudi Arabia, but it's not the "half of the population" as you described it because there isn't any known study for that yet as they talk in the news. Just because your doctor is Saudi and told you that doesn't make it a fact. :)

However, you are right I'm sure it's high, but the percentage is unknown yet.

[dontworry_behappy1]

A large part of the population in Saudi do have Hepatitis C.  My doctor who is also from Saudi confirmed that fact.  Also, that now there is treatment that is very effective on the type of hepatitis C most common in Saudi Arabia.  The biggest cause is lack of universal protections.  It is absolutely true.

[pink86]

Actually I'm currently in U.S. not in Saudi. Saying half of the population in my country have HCV absolutely not true! LOL

Anyway, I had a specialist doctor in Wisconsin, but don't have one here yet in Michigan. The PC doctor act like it's normal and said because you have Hepatitis! She didn't even get into the room and set with me! She got in and talked to my while she is standing. I asked her to do some other lab works she said we did that already and I'll give you a copy. When I got the copy nothing from what I asked is listed not even a CBC!

I sent the results to my doctor in Wisconsin. If I didn't get an explanation from him, I guess I'll go and see a specialist here.

Did you have an enlarged liver before you started your treatment? I had enlarged liver before the treatment, but I got cured for almost two years now. Shouldn't my liver get normal by now?!

[dontworry_behappy1]

Sorry just looked at the country your from.   Half the population in your country is infected with hepatitis C.   I would get a viral load test just to make sure and see a specialist with or without a viral load.

Best to you... hope everything turns out ok.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Be proactive and get a referral to a specialist to determine the cause.  Your
GP can refer you.  There are many causes of an inlarged liver.   The fact, that you have been cured of Hepatitis C rules out the hep C cause.   I have been cured and don't have an inlarged liver.  If I did.....I would have a referral ASAP.

[pink86]

Thanks for your reply. She is a Primary care doctor. I went to her just to do the blood work. I was shocked by her explanation! Since I'm cured I should have everything normal by now I guess. I sent my results to my previous doctor and I'm waiting for his explanation, but I thought maybe someone had the same experience in this forum.

[CoWriter]

The fact that you got rid of the virus doesn't mean that whatever liver damage you had previously will reverse.  It doesn't always happen.

[dontworry_behappy1]

"Hepatitis" is inflammation of the liver.   Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused from C type.   You could have hepatitis.   But what's causing it should be diagnosed by a specialist!!!   Not a GP, PC or NP.   See a different doctor and get a referral.   Your current doctor lacks education in the medical field.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Find a new doctor.   That is rediculous.  I'm not a doctor and don't know why your liver is mildly enlarged.  But it could be nothing.   I would get a new doctor who cares enough about people to take their profession serious.  Tell her to go read a medical book and go elsewhere.

let us know how it turns out.....Best to you