One year ago I took my last drink after I was diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis stage C. My blood tests showed the following areas were out of range and high: glucose, globulin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphate, AST and RDW. The areas that were low were: creatin, albumin, A/G ratio, red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets and lmphocytes. I have a hiatial and umbilical hernia, grade III varicies and have developed hepatic encephalopathy due to damage from too much alcohol, mixed with high levels of ammonia. My recent ultrasound, just 10 months after the first, shows I have moderate spleenomegaly with a size of 17.99cm x 16.95cm. My varicies are still grade III. I have no edema or ascites.
Three months after the 1st blood result, I showed great improvement. All tests were back in range with the exception of having high bilirubin (2.1), ammonia (60), and a low platelet count (88). Now that a year has passed the only blood results I'm dealing with is a continuation of high ammonia, bilirubin and low platelet count. My RDW has since increased as well.
You would think my liver has greatly improved. I do exactly as my doctor says. However, due to portal hypertension my varices are bad and my spleen is twice the normal size. I also hear the ammonia can come from portal hypertension (p.h.) causing my blood to bypass my liver.
So is it normal for a patient to have cirrhosis with a well functioning liver in some ways, but still be affected with this blood flow problem? I have hopes that my liver is getting better. With my issues from portal hypertension, it makes me think otherwise. I'd also like to know what it would take to reduce my p.h. or help my spleen from getting any larger. I was already treating my high blood pressure with a beta blocker which my doctor says will also help with the p.h. My blood pressure on average has been 100/55 for quite some time - even before my diagnosis.