Absolutely terrified with blood results.

[Markb03]

Hi all,

A bit about me.

44M UK about 250lbs (115kg) and 180cm.

Last April I had a MRI to diagnose fatty liver. It was confirmed and this is what the hospital said.

Marked fatty infiltration of the liver with sparing adjacent to gallbladder fossa and further small foci within the right lobe. 5 mm segment VII T2 high-signal focus with progressive postcontrast enhancement is possibly a small haemangioma and is likely benign. No concerning focal liver lesion. Portal, hepatic veins remain patent. 4 mm pancreatic tail cystic lesion noted. No dilatation of the main pancreatic duct. Unremarkable appearances of the remaining abdominal viscera. Splenic cysts noted.

I fell into a bad diet last year to. Drinking soda, lucozade and real bad foods and sweets.

I was about 111kg last jaunary. In my heaviest since then. It's been about 119kg.

Had some blood tests last week and these are some of the results.

Serum alanine aminotransferase level (XaLJx) 162 iu/L [0 - 55] - Above high reference limit

No AST test.

Serum alkaline phosphatase level (XE2px) 104 iu/L [30 - 130]

Serum total bilirubin level (XaERu) 13 umol/L [< 21]

Serum albumin level (XE2eA) 52 g/L [35 - 50] - Above high reference limit

Serum C reactive protein level (XaINL) 2 mg/L [0 - 5]

I think this is all the relevant tests. But please let me know if not.

Since last week I have also had a swelling on my left ribs. At the bottom of my ribs. It doesn't really hurt. But aches a bit of I rest my arm on it. I saw two medical people at my doctors who both said it was a rib issue and I was given naproxen and Omeprazole.

My doctors have sent a text to say contact them to make a non urgent appointment to discuss my results.

I have made an effort to lose weight by walking and using a exercise bike. Walking only started tonight however.

Please tell me I am not at a stage of not being able to reverse this. I am petrified I am and will be dead in 10 years or so.

Can it get much worse in 9 months that it's beyond help?

Please help.

Seems like you have liver damage but the extent is unclear and, luckily, liver is self-regenerating organ. My partner reversed similar problem rlin a space of a few months with diet and getting closer to normal BMI. The fact that the appointment is non urgent is an encouraging sign. Take it as your final warning, I guess and get serious about your health. Sometimes we need those scares to take better care of ourselves. Sending hugs x

Only the doctors can tell you this. What did they say about lifestyle changes/diet when you were diagnosed last year?

I honestly can't remember 😕

Exercise is important, but it's diet that makes almost all the difference. Good luck with getting healthier - I hope your condition improves

It doesn't sound that bad but it's a slippery slope. I'd recommend you get a fibroscan to check how fatty your liver is. Also get your liver function bloods too.

You can deal with this:
No booze
No butter or other trans fats
Red meat No more than once a week
Fruit, veg, lots
Pulses
Nuts
Berries
Oily fish
Chicken/turkey breasts
Virgin olive oil
Bake instead of fry
No refined carbs: white bread, cake, biscuits etc (white flour)
No refined sugar.

Sign onto the British Liver Trust.

You simply need to lose weight and change your diet. Your liver tests are abnormal, but not irreversibly so. Mine were in the 200-300 range due to alcohol consumption. I stopped drinking and got back to exercising regularly and lost a stone. They went back to normal range and have stayed there ever since. You know your lifestyle isn’t good, so now is your wake up call to change it. You absolutely can do it if you are willing to put the work in.

Your results arent horrific but it is pretty bad considering this is diet related and your young age.

You can reverse this to a great extent by losing weight and also eating healthier more natural foods ie foods with as few ingredients as possible
You will never lose weight if you dont massively change your diet, you cant out train a bad diet. I think it would be worth consulting a nutritionist and possibly even therapy to address the route cause of over eating. Cook as much as possible, do portion control (even weigh out ingredients) and track calories will help give some insight.

I genuinely hope I havent sounded really blunt as it's not intended and I know how hard weightless is but the fact you actually want to change is such a big step, many people stick their head in the sand until something worse happens so congrats on that and best of luck

You've had one warning.

Time to start taking it seriously.

It’s very likely reversible but a huge wake up call - keep going like this and it won’t be so reversible.

Just managed to get an appointment with a nutritionist through work. It's only a 30 minute call. But they have all my details. Hopefully they can get me on a plan.

Sorry to hear all this...it's a good thing you want to do something about it. Only you can do it...but you can! I would make sure the Nutritionist you see is properly qualified. It's possible to 'call yourself' Nutritionist and in reality you're actually all about recommending supplements and concentrating on minute (trace elements) in your diet, It might be better to see a Registered Dietician...they are scientifically and clinically trained, regulated by a professional body and have no interest in selling you stuff. In other words, they do not earn commission by getting you to buy supplements/diet foods and drinks. Right now, signing up with the Liver Trust is a good idea and also change your eating habits to something more sustainable and healthy as outlined by a PP.

You may have a bit of a kidney infection btw. You say that you have pain under your ribs and I can see that your serum albumin is slightly raised. This is exactly what I had when I had a chronic low-level kidney infection.