The verdict from my hepatologist -- OK for now, but I must lose weight
So this afternoon at 2:30pm was my appointment with my hepatologist to discuss the state of my liver. Ironically, while on the way to hear his verdict on my liver, I heard the verdict on Michael Jackson. I surprised myself by how much I ended up caring about the result -- a lot more than I expected.
Anyway, back to my liver. The doc says that since my blood tests (those six vials of blood they took last time) came back all negative, he was leaning towards me not needing to get a liver biopsy. I showed him the area around the recently (mostly) removed mole on my chest -- he'd previously been a bit concerned about a sorta spiderish-looking bit nearby (not the mole itself) that could have been a sign of nasty liver troubles. But when I showed it to him today, he smiled and said it looked completely fine. And then he seemed a bit more comfortable with his decision that I'd not need that liver biopsy. Cool! (Phew!)
So, he says I have Fatty Liver Disease, and thus need to lose weight. I'm quite cool with that; I've already decided for several other personal and health reasons that I want to do that. But this would be the biggest, most important reason. He says that if I lose enough weight I can actually reverse the Fatty Liver Disease, and it can go away! BUT: if I don't do so, I might be up for cirrhosis, of the liver in five years, or even diabetes. OK, still more motivation! I'm getting the point, really I am!
I asked about drinking alcohol, since last time he said I should stick to zero alcohol. He said that smallish amounts are fine, which is my preference. I like bits of alcohol occasionally, as a random treat, so I'll keep doing that, though perhaps a bit less -- not have it unless I'm especially in the mood for it (not have any just for the sake of variety, which I've done in the past). But I'm happy to hear that I don't have to stay at absolute zero. Cool.
And I don't have any more followups scheduled with my hepatologist, though he said to come back any time if I ever felt the need. Nice guy! I asked him whether, if I actually do quite well and lose significant weight before next February, might my general checkup blood tests show improvement in the liver enzymes? He said yes, that I could conceivably, manage to get them back to "normal" by then. So that's my new goal. I wanna at least see measurable improvement by then, preferably full remission. An important and worthwhile goal.
In the meantime, if anyone wants to do anything with me that includes some form of exercise, I'm even more likely to say yes!
Anyway, back to my liver. The doc says that since my blood tests (those six vials of blood they took last time) came back all negative, he was leaning towards me not needing to get a liver biopsy. I showed him the area around the recently (mostly) removed mole on my chest -- he'd previously been a bit concerned about a sorta spiderish-looking bit nearby (not the mole itself) that could have been a sign of nasty liver troubles. But when I showed it to him today, he smiled and said it looked completely fine. And then he seemed a bit more comfortable with his decision that I'd not need that liver biopsy. Cool! (Phew!)
So, he says I have Fatty Liver Disease, and thus need to lose weight. I'm quite cool with that; I've already decided for several other personal and health reasons that I want to do that. But this would be the biggest, most important reason. He says that if I lose enough weight I can actually reverse the Fatty Liver Disease, and it can go away! BUT: if I don't do so, I might be up for cirrhosis, of the liver in five years, or even diabetes. OK, still more motivation! I'm getting the point, really I am!
I asked about drinking alcohol, since last time he said I should stick to zero alcohol. He said that smallish amounts are fine, which is my preference. I like bits of alcohol occasionally, as a random treat, so I'll keep doing that, though perhaps a bit less -- not have it unless I'm especially in the mood for it (not have any just for the sake of variety, which I've done in the past). But I'm happy to hear that I don't have to stay at absolute zero. Cool.
And I don't have any more followups scheduled with my hepatologist, though he said to come back any time if I ever felt the need. Nice guy! I asked him whether, if I actually do quite well and lose significant weight before next February, might my general checkup blood tests show improvement in the liver enzymes? He said yes, that I could conceivably, manage to get them back to "normal" by then. So that's my new goal. I wanna at least see measurable improvement by then, preferably full remission. An important and worthwhile goal.
In the meantime, if anyone wants to do anything with me that includes some form of exercise, I'm even more likely to say yes!