Liver Ultrasound

[Santa01]

Hi, I have just been for a liver ultrasound for some elevated blood tests (ALT) There was no biopsy done, and I was in and out in 10 mins.

Just wondering if other ppl had experience of this or would a biopsy be done at a later stage after reviewing the scans? Hoping that no biopsy is a good sign...

Many thanks

Not a doctor but, from what I know, liver biopsies aren't done that often. There are other ways to measure some liver issues.

Hi,

my husband has been referred for the same for raised alt levels. Can I ask what your level was if you don’t mind?

It was 44, think the range is up to 41 for a female, what was your husband's, has he any other symptoms@lifeinthehills thank you for your response

Usually the blood tests and Ultrasound is enough. Think the liver biopsy can be quite risky so isn’t done routinely.

My ALT number was over 500 earlier this year! They really are reluctant to do biopsies because of the risk of bleeding and/or infection. With me i kept having repeat liver panels and they watched and waited. It very very slowly went down. If it had gone up id of had the biopsy.

Liver biopsy is like having minor surgery and would need to be booked in with hepatologist etc. ultrasound scan is more than enough for slightly elevated ALT. Commonly associated with central advisory and fatty liver disease.

*central adiposity

That's just a little elevated. It could just be a fluctuation. Was it just the one test that was out or did they test twice with an interval in between? See what the ultrasound says.

I did have a blood test afew months back but nothing was mentioned then, then I had one about 4 weeks ago when the alt of 44 was mentioned, then an ultrasound was recommended, I have had breast cancer so maybe I'm higher risk 😞

Thankfully I haven't had to have any hospital tests for quite some time but I wouldn't expect to have a biopsy taken during a routine ultrasound appointment.
Several years ago I was referred for a liver ultrasound because my lft's had been deranged for months and were showing no signs of improving.
I'd been off sick from my job in the NHS for several weeks because I felt so ill and the ultrasound was done by one of the Consultant Radiologists who I knew professionally. He found nothing untoward after the first quick scan but once he'd pulled up my blood results he decided he better have another look just to be on the safe side. After he'd finished he was confident that my liver was fine and suggested that in the absence of any other cause my dodgy lft's could simply be as a result of an infection and that they would eventually return to more normal levels - which they did after many months.
Leading up to my long period of ill health (and eventual diagnosis of chronic fatigue) I had had an ingrowing toe nail which became so badly infected that I needed months of antibiotics from my GP both before the nail could be removed and afterwards. The Radiologist knew nothing about this and whilst I can't say that it was an infection that caused my problems I can't think of any other reason.