Enlarged liver

[BABY1]

Anyone eevr been told ther liver was enlarged? In spite of liver enzymes being normal, but albunim level always running low.

[TexSon]

Re: Enlarged liver

nope.

really trashed my liver at some point with harsh orals (which is why i will never do them again) and sent every tested value either through the roof or through the floor.

thing about the liver is that it is the only organ in your body that has the ability to repair itself.

and true to form, mine did.

now, I treat it like my bestest friend.

never forget boys and girls, a liver will kill you dead in a heart beat, and not think twice about it.


but no, mines never been enlarged.


.

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

Yes the liver does regenrate but peole can't just keep going by that. Liver disease also can happen slowly and when the damage is done, that is when people find out.

[TexSon]

Re: Enlarged liver

Yes the liver does regenrate but peole can't just keep going by that. Liver disease also can happen slowly and when the damage is done, that is when people find out.

true.

[bandaidwoman]

Re: Enlarged liver

Significant liver damage can still have normal liver enzymes. I have seen cirrosis with normal liver enzymes. The low albumin is a good indicator the liver functioning is seriously impaired unless the person has nephrotic syndrome ( leaking protein due to nephritis of the kidneys). If the liver is enlarged and low albumin, check PT/PTT ( another indirect measure of liver function) and I probably would get this person for a liver biopsey.

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

Significant liver damage can still have normal liver enzymes. I have seen cirrosis with normal liver enzymes. The low albumin is a good indicator the liver functioning is seriously impaired unless the person has nephrotic syndrome ( leaking protein due to nephritis of the kidneys). If the liver is enlarged and low albumin, check PT/PTT ( another indirect measure of liver function) and I probably would get this person for a liver biopsey.

Thanks bandaid woman. I have seen the albumin level going down band have read that the use of testosterone can mask albumin result making it appear in the normal range. Low end being 3.4 and that it what it is running now. knowing that steroids can raise this level, it concerns me that this level would be lower if there was no steroids being used?

[bandaidwoman]

Re: Enlarged liver

you are right, if the albumin was low on the steroids, it really concerns me that it may not be significantly lower. How was the liver found to be enlarged? By physical exam or imaging? ( cat scan or ulstrasound)

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

If the liver is enlarged and low albumin, check PT/PTT ( another indirect measure of liver function) and I probably would get this person for a liver biopsey.

PTT (activated was "high" but just over the high end of the range

Is Pt protime?

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

you are right, if the albumin was low on the steroids, it really concerns me that it may not be significantly lower. How was the liver found to be enlarged? By physical exam or imaging? ( cat scan or ulstrasound)

Through a CT, no contrast. Liver area is tender when touched also. We all got the flu, but Fuzo got gut wrnching double over pan whch headed him to the ER. had this last year too and they did nothing. Albumin level has been going on the down since a year ago.

[bandaidwoman]

Re: Enlarged liver

If it has been over a year, any acute viral illness can cause enlarged liver, and not necessarily from the viruses Hep A,B, or C. I would reimage with something without radiation like ultrasound. If the liver size is now normal, then the concern is what is causing the low Albumin. Isolated low albumin can be a sign of seroconversion or progression of HIV, not saying that is what is going on, but that is what's in the differential. If the liver remains enlarged a year after the acute flu like illness, then I would get him to a good internist or hepatologist. Enlarged livers make us worry about deposition diseases like amyloidosis, hemachromatosis or Wilson's disease.

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

As of last night, they said the lver was enlarged and most lkely due to fatty liver, howevr, they do not know the true history of the labs and other things. Think we will see a hepatologist anyeay. thanks so much for your help bandaidwoman.

[bandaidwoman]

Re: Enlarged liver

fatty liver is not benign. It has the same percentage as Hep C for progression to cirrosis. ( anywhere from 25% to 50% depending on who you ask). I am assuming NAFLD or non alcoholic fatty liver disease. I worked at Emory's liver transplant service and this was the number one reason for liver transplant, it has surpassed Hep C. By the way, Vitamin E may help fatty liver disease as well as a statin ( believe it or not).

[BABY1]

Re: Enlarged liver

fatty liver is not benign. It has the same percentage as Hep C for progression to cirrosis. ( anywhere from 25% to 50% depending on who you ask). I am assuming NAFLD or non alcoholic fatty liver disease. I worked at Emory's liver transplant service and this was the number one reason for liver transplant, it has surpassed Hep C. By the way, Vitamin E may help fatty liver disease as well as a statin ( believe it or not).

You are awesome!!!! thanks for the advice. What amount of vitamin e would you recommend and any particular kind? Hasn't drank in 8 years and didn't much even before than so it would not have to do with that issue

[bandaidwoman]

Re: Enlarged liver

The NIH sponsored trial in New England Journal of medicine was just with 800 iu of Vitamin E.