So the new set of labs my GI doc ordered came back, and I have a follow up appt with him next week to talk about the results. As of now, according to the lab who ran the tests, scoring based on lab results, etc... looks like they're saying I have stage 3 NASH. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Basically, fatty liver disease that's progressed to a more serious level in which inflammation and damage is occurring. This type of liver disease can happen to anyone, btw, not just people who are overweight or have diabetes, or on meds that trigger it and do damage, etc. Many skinny people have it, and many don't know they do.
Liver enzymes, as it turns out, can go in and out of the normal range, which is why people can have this problem for years and not know they have it. If you get your yearly blood work done and all looks fine... you still don't need to worry, unless you develop symptoms that prompt your doctor to investigate further. But you have to be your own advocate when it comes to your health.
NAFLD and NASH have a genetic component. In other words---it's hereditary. Unfortunately, I didn't have access to my dad or his relatives, his health, etc. And my mom kept most everything to herself, with the exception of my oldest sister. I was never told anything, really, except what was blatantly obvious going on with her. My family situation is, and has been, off. WAY off. And I don't have access to my siblings, nor do I want to. But knowing what I know about myself will at least help my kids and grandkids. They will at least have knowledge of what may come if they don't take very good care of themselves, especially their liver.
Symptoms. I'll deal with them as I have until this point, but there's basically nothing I can do but wait for my appointment next week and take things on a day-to-day basis. It's what I've been doing anyway, so no change there. Still, the symptoms suck, no matter what I do. The worst is the pressure in the upper part of my abdomen, the dull aching pain that accompanies me throughout every day, the sweating that is often triggered just by sitting up straight. There are several symptoms, let's just suffice it to say I have most.
What exactly IS Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis? It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a form of liver disease that is NOT due to alcoholism or heavy drinking. It would be pointless to re-invent the wheel, so I won't even try. A Google search will bring up plenty about this problem, but be sure to go to good sources, because you may not get the whole picture. Many health issues can cause this, and sometimes it happens... just because. You would be surprised what can trigger this disease.
I'm uncomfortable, and it's my hope that when the time comes and we're at a 100% certainty level... whatever I do for this will get rid of the discomfort, pain, and otherwise miserable effects.
I will wait for my appt next week, wait for the EGD and colonoscopy, and see if they will be doing a liver biopsy at that time as well. It was mentioned at my last visit that I may need one, so why not while I'm under already? Get it over with and make good use of my drug-induced stupor. It will be up to the doc, though. The lab work they do for this includes a grading/staging algorithm that they use to determine stage/grade of the disease. Many times they opt not to do a biopsy, but it depends on the situation. NAFLD... could go either way. But NASH...doctors often opt for the biopsy simply because of the inflammation and damage that occurs with this level.
We will see. As for now.. I'm tired an am going to put this on hold for now....
Laters taters.
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