Diagnosed with cirrhosis, do not have any symptoms post blood test and ultrasound. Liver ultrasound normal. Wrong diagnosis?
Patient: Dear Sir, I was diagnosed with chirrosis after a blood test and ultrasound scan 3 years ago but I don t have ANY symptoms at all, I feel fine, play tennis every week. i only drink a few glasses of Martini at the weekend, and if there is some VERY good wine on offer I will have a glass. I had a liver ultrasound scan and the clinic doctor said there was nothing wrong with me. liver was looking OK, the right size and aspect) Do you think it is possible that I was wrongly diagnosed? Doctor: It is possible that you were wrongfully diagnosed, HOWEVER keep in mind that cirrhosis does not give any symptoms until the disease is very advanced. You should get blood test to check you liver function (liver enzymes can be elevated, your platelets can go down, and your coagulation studies can be altered), and there are better imaging studies to evaluate the liver besides the ultrasound, including CT scan or MRI. Also a liver biopsy can be done as the definitive test to diagnose it, but it is oftentimes not necessary. Until you are not sure about the diagnosis, you should avoid alcohol.