Cirrhosis of the liver

So are they saying that you have  cirrhosis? That’s odd to me that all of your liver function tests would come back ok we’re they high at all? My mom had to get a liver transplant was only a social drinker even then really dident drink much but she was on a lot of meds. Are you on a lot of meds? Also her numbers were no where near normal when they did her blood work. That’s kind of scary that all of your tests came back good but yet they still seen that. What did they say the next step was from there?

Hey Liza, I had cirrhosis with fairly normal bloods a few years back. Mine had come from heavy drinking, but I quit the drink in 2009. I had everything checkout out a year after quitting, and the Doc told me I had irreversible scarring and my bloods were coming back as OK and everything would be fine as long as I didn't ever have another drink. I never touched another drink, but had an accident 3 years later where I broke my leg. From that broken leg I got an infection in hospital and it went downhill very rapidly. The infection spread and started attacking my organs and eventually my liver died, so I was rushed to Cedar Sinai as it was the nearest transplant centre. I was put into a medical coma, and 6 weeks later I was fortunate to get a liver transplant.

I was a bit confused as I knew I had cirrhosis, but my bloods were relatively normal. Post transplant, the doctors said that it was "some form of dormant hepatitis" that had been roused by the infection in my broken leg.

So I have cirrhosis, diagnosed by gastroenterologist but bloods were sent to genetic testing and found I have Haemochromatosis, which is iron overload, it’s hereditory but even GPS unaware as 1-200 people have it and it’s not generally tested in ‘full blood’ tests, only for anaemia. I suffered fatigue, joint pain arthritis , degenerated factor joints etc etc . I was fit so looked good but they said years ago it was JUST a virus. If only it were tested for iron overload in the ferritin test!!!! It could have easily been managed and saved me from cirrhosis. I’m 61 & was only just tested last year!!! It’s genetic so have had all my life. My dad died young & Mum has no symptoms but they gave me the genes unknowingly as it was never tested or even heard of. Get all tests that you can. Blood will tell almost everything

Liza, you might ask your doctor to test for an Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. It is a genetic condition that can damage the liver and lungs, and rarely it can cause a skin condition called panniculitis. Genetic testing can confirm Alpha-1, but a blood test to detect how much of the A1AT is circulating can be done as a part of regular bloodwork. Some people have the condition and never have symptoms, but others can need liver or lung transplants. A1AT is a protein made in the liver to protect the lungs. A genetic mutation causes the protein to get trapped in the liver, causing damage to one or both organs. Check out the Alpha-1 foundation for more information. If you have a family history of liver or lung disease, especially if not caused by alcohol or smoking, Alpha-1 might explain it.