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Fatty Liver, and uncertain
For about two years I have struggled with a strong case of health anxiety. I got a degree in rehabilitation and sometimes the classes we take tend to inform you about all the bad diseases that can plague your body. I tend to worry about this a lot. Last July while in NYC after eating a greasy meal I got a bad pain on the right upper quadrant of my stomach. My PCP thought it was gallstones so he had an ultrasound of my abdomen ordered.
In turn the technician who completely violated his duties went on to tell me the results and that in fact I did NOT have gallstones but a swollen liver and that I should go to the doctor immediately. Mind you this was on a Saturday. I was frantic, afraid and uneasy. When I got to my doctor on Monday he told me it was just fatty liver. The actual Recommendations from the ultrasound said, "Fatty liver with prominent portal triad markings...hepatitis possible, clinical correlation recommended" Of course with the knowledge I had my health anxiety began to sky rocket. My doctor said just to diet and all would be ok.
The hepatitis aspect of it frightens me horribly. I do have 3 small tattoos that I got in my college years. The last about 4 years ago. I began thinking maybe it was hepatitis. Since August and even before then my doctor has ran tons of blood tests. CBC, platelets, hepatic panel, etc. The rational mind would say they would have caught hepatitis by now but the anxious side of me says that maybe they missed something. Is this possible? Is it possible that they could have done sooooo many blood tests and missed hepatitis? If it was Hep C would I be showing symptoms already? (jaundice, etc) I am so worried. I am only 24 and don't have time to be worried about health issues. Just finished school and at the top of my career. I would appreciate some sincere help. Maybe somebody can interpret those ultrasound results better for me.
Thanks again,
Lynn
Also, I have been on birth control pills for 10 years now could that be correlated to the fatty liver. I had heard about this before. I have STOPPED taking them, begin working out and eating better and am wondering if that was the cause how long before my liver begins to heal.
I am 24, about 5'2 and weight 157lbs overweight I know but I thought my liver would be doing better.
In turn the technician who completely violated his duties went on to tell me the results and that in fact I did NOT have gallstones but a swollen liver and that I should go to the doctor immediately. Mind you this was on a Saturday. I was frantic, afraid and uneasy. When I got to my doctor on Monday he told me it was just fatty liver. The actual Recommendations from the ultrasound said, "Fatty liver with prominent portal triad markings...hepatitis possible, clinical correlation recommended" Of course with the knowledge I had my health anxiety began to sky rocket. My doctor said just to diet and all would be ok.
The hepatitis aspect of it frightens me horribly. I do have 3 small tattoos that I got in my college years. The last about 4 years ago. I began thinking maybe it was hepatitis. Since August and even before then my doctor has ran tons of blood tests. CBC, platelets, hepatic panel, etc. The rational mind would say they would have caught hepatitis by now but the anxious side of me says that maybe they missed something. Is this possible? Is it possible that they could have done sooooo many blood tests and missed hepatitis? If it was Hep C would I be showing symptoms already? (jaundice, etc) I am so worried. I am only 24 and don't have time to be worried about health issues. Just finished school and at the top of my career. I would appreciate some sincere help. Maybe somebody can interpret those ultrasound results better for me.
Thanks again,
Lynn
Also, I have been on birth control pills for 10 years now could that be correlated to the fatty liver. I had heard about this before. I have STOPPED taking them, begin working out and eating better and am wondering if that was the cause how long before my liver begins to heal.
I am 24, about 5'2 and weight 157lbs overweight I know but I thought my liver would be doing better.
Thank you for that! You have made me feel much better. I have an excellent doctor. I really do.
I think some of this anxiety stems off of my aunt who died last October from Cirrhosis of the liver. However, she drank since she was 13 and died at 52 and she never let up on the drinking.
All of me tells me I am overreacting. I could go to an STD clinic locally or lab but they charge a lot. My doctors visit is just a co-pay. I guess I could wait for my appt. August 12th and on that day ask him for the test.
I appreciate all your help.
I think some of this anxiety stems off of my aunt who died last October from Cirrhosis of the liver. However, she drank since she was 13 and died at 52 and she never let up on the drinking.
All of me tells me I am overreacting. I could go to an STD clinic locally or lab but they charge a lot. My doctors visit is just a co-pay. I guess I could wait for my appt. August 12th and on that day ask him for the test.
I appreciate all your help.
Lynn, before you get to concerned about if you have hepatitis C or not you
might want to call your doctor and ask if you've been tested for hepatitis C.
If not tell the doctors office that your having serious anxiety about it and want to be tested. Fatty liver doesn't mean that you will be tested for Hepatitis C
in addition to a Liver panel. You have a right to to tested and know if you have Hepatitis C or not. But you have to ask for the test. Call you doctors office and let then know you anxiety and concerned you might have about possible having Hepatitis C. Don't take no for an answer. Everyone should be tested at least once for Hepatitis C. If you feel your having symptoms this would justify getting tested.
Again, let us know the outcome
DWBH
might want to call your doctor and ask if you've been tested for hepatitis C.
If not tell the doctors office that your having serious anxiety about it and want to be tested. Fatty liver doesn't mean that you will be tested for Hepatitis C
in addition to a Liver panel. You have a right to to tested and know if you have Hepatitis C or not. But you have to ask for the test. Call you doctors office and let then know you anxiety and concerned you might have about possible having Hepatitis C. Don't take no for an answer. Everyone should be tested at least once for Hepatitis C. If you feel your having symptoms this would justify getting tested.
Again, let us know the outcome
DWBH
Not that I know of. I have an appt. in August, the 12th to be exact but my nerves have me wanting to go in sooner.
On May 14th he did run a Hepatic Liver Panel or something of that sort. He said if I see anything we should be worried about, I will call you.
He hasn't and so I'm scheduled for the 3 month follow up.
I'm not sure what the Hepatic Liver Panel tests for.
I will let you all know.
On May 14th he did run a Hepatic Liver Panel or something of that sort. He said if I see anything we should be worried about, I will call you.
He hasn't and so I'm scheduled for the 3 month follow up.
I'm not sure what the Hepatic Liver Panel tests for.
I will let you all know.
Did your doctor also test you FOR hepatitis C? I misses this part why'll typing a response. Let us know the outcome.
DWBH
DWBH
By the way, I did get that tattoo 4 plus years ago and just a year ago begin feeling pain in the upper right side. Never have my eyes turned yellow, experience jaundice or any symptoms I have read on Hep C. But I am actually going to a local clinic to get tested later this week.
I also need to add that intelligent diagnostics, to me, means that you do tests and THEN you can discount possible reasons
Also, keep notes about what you want to be tested for, and keep copies of all your tests. this is in case one gets overwhelmed by the medical process or if one wants to find a better doctor. Or if one wants to ask more questions about blood test results etc on this forum.
Also, keep notes about what you want to be tested for, and keep copies of all your tests. this is in case one gets overwhelmed by the medical process or if one wants to find a better doctor. Or if one wants to ask more questions about blood test results etc on this forum.
No, my doctor actually never ordered an actual test for HCV. I am just assuming or letting my fears control me into thinking it could be that.
I am just worried. You're right asle. I should just go get tested once and for all. I appreciate all your help!
I am just worried. You're right asle. I should just go get tested once and for all. I appreciate all your help!
So they ran an HCV test and you are waiting? I'm sure it is frightening to have these symptoms and not know the cause.
If it is hcv, there are treatment options available. You are young and sound like you are in pretty good health.
If it is another liver disorder, there are also options. Nobody wants to have a sick liver, but there are ways to treat. Nutrition is going to be a big part of it.
Try and calm down the health fears and focus on all of the positive aspects of your life until you find out what is really wrong. I know it is not easy. You have come to a supportive forum who can point you in the right direction no matter what is wrong with you.
Best of luck!
Karen:)
If it is hcv, there are treatment options available. You are young and sound like you are in pretty good health.
If it is another liver disorder, there are also options. Nobody wants to have a sick liver, but there are ways to treat. Nutrition is going to be a big part of it.
Try and calm down the health fears and focus on all of the positive aspects of your life until you find out what is really wrong. I know it is not easy. You have come to a supportive forum who can point you in the right direction no matter what is wrong with you.
Best of luck!
Karen:)
Welcome to the forum.
Firstly, I want to say that it doesn't matter what age you are, one should always take time to deal with health issues and take control of your health.
It doesn't matter how you contracted HCV, if you have it how you deal with it is important. If you may have contracted it 4 or more years ago through tattooing, then your symptons of first contracting HCV will well and truly be over.
Secondly, there is no point worrying about what you don't know.
Get tested for HCV once and for all, and then you can structure how you will deal and treat with that information.
And finally, you need a new doctor. To have an ultrasound recommendation that further tests for HCV should be undertaken, and then have your doctor say just 'diet', is dangerous. 'Just a fatty liver' is also sloppy medicine.
You need to be tested for HCV.
It is important to get a referral to a Liver Clinic, where an hepatologist (liver specialist) or a gastroenterologist can see you.
Come back with any questions you may have. There are quite a few wiser people on here who can give you good advise.
And don't worry about what you don't know.
Good luck.
Firstly, I want to say that it doesn't matter what age you are, one should always take time to deal with health issues and take control of your health.
It doesn't matter how you contracted HCV, if you have it how you deal with it is important. If you may have contracted it 4 or more years ago through tattooing, then your symptons of first contracting HCV will well and truly be over.
Secondly, there is no point worrying about what you don't know.
Get tested for HCV once and for all, and then you can structure how you will deal and treat with that information.
And finally, you need a new doctor. To have an ultrasound recommendation that further tests for HCV should be undertaken, and then have your doctor say just 'diet', is dangerous. 'Just a fatty liver' is also sloppy medicine.
You need to be tested for HCV.
It is important to get a referral to a Liver Clinic, where an hepatologist (liver specialist) or a gastroenterologist can see you.
Come back with any questions you may have. There are quite a few wiser people on here who can give you good advise.
And don't worry about what you don't know.
Good luck.
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