Well this week I had my abdominal ultrasound one day & my gastroscopy the next! The gastroscopy showed a couple of slight stomach erosions. Some biopsies were taken. Since I can't take most meds, & even the Carafate (Sucralfate) made the pain worse, I am left with over-the-counter stuff like Gaviscon & Mylanta. Of course I am sworn off aspirin (& other NSAIDs & prednisone) if ever tempted again!
Now the abdominal ultrasound was no big drama...just a little unpleasant when slight pressure was applied over the liver. Relieved to hear that gall-bladder, pancreas, spleen, common bile duct, kidneys & abdominal aorta appear OK.
"Impression: The liver demonstrates a slightly coarsened echotexture which is nonspecific but may be seen with viral hepatitis, chemotherapy, and early cirrhosis. The liver demonstrates generalised increased parenchymal echogenicity which is usually seen with fat infiltration. The liver contour is, however, normal and no discrete liver lesion is identified."
So here's the rap...this is an abnormal picture & is known "unpleasantly" as a teratogenous (if I have spelled that right?) liver...and my Gastroenterologist has ordered some relevant blood tests to exclude a few causes eg viral, autoimmune etc
FBC, UEC, LFT, Hep B S Ag, Hep C Ab, ANA, SMA, IgG, ENA, Copper,
Coeruloplasmin,
Alpha 1 antitrypsin, Iron Studies.
None of this surprises me, but it's a relief to know a bit more of the puzzle...
Now the abdominal ultrasound was no big drama...just a little unpleasant when slight pressure was applied over the liver. Relieved to hear that gall-bladder, pancreas, spleen, common bile duct, kidneys & abdominal aorta appear OK.
"Impression: The liver demonstrates a slightly coarsened echotexture which is nonspecific but may be seen with viral hepatitis, chemotherapy, and early cirrhosis. The liver demonstrates generalised increased parenchymal echogenicity which is usually seen with fat infiltration. The liver contour is, however, normal and no discrete liver lesion is identified."
So here's the rap...this is an abnormal picture & is known "unpleasantly" as a teratogenous (if I have spelled that right?) liver...and my Gastroenterologist has ordered some relevant blood tests to exclude a few causes eg viral, autoimmune etc
FBC, UEC, LFT, Hep B S Ag, Hep C Ab, ANA, SMA, IgG, ENA, Copper,
Coeruloplasmin,
Alpha 1 antitrypsin, Iron Studies.
None of this surprises me, but it's a relief to know a bit more of the puzzle...