1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Hepatic steatosis

Posted by ace71 @ace71, Feb 17 8:40pm

I just had my latest ctscan show improvement in my lungs. It also showed hepatic steatosis. I've been on the big 3 for 4 months now. I'm not over weight. No alcohol issues. I'm wondering if anyone else has developed liver issues after starting drug treatment.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Feb 18 10:20am

Have you googled: 'Hepatic steatosis' or 'Can a C Scan of the lungs show Hepatic steatosis'. I wasn't sure what that was so I googled it. Hopefully what is showing for you is a mild showing. One of the things it did say, that you may have already read was: Alternative methods: For a more accurate diagnosis of hepatic steatosis, especially for mild cases, an abdominal ultrasound or a dedicated liver MRI scan might be recommended.
Sorry to hear about those results of the liver, however, how nice that the lungs show improvement.
Barbara

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 18 1:55pm

@ace71 This might be what is known as "an incidental finding" commented on by the radiologist. Unless you have been screened for it before, it may have been present for years. Many people have it to some degree, and it can actually be a familial condition, obesity and alcohol abuse are not the only causes.

If you are wondering how concerned you should be, talk to your doctor. There are blood tests which can show how well your liver is performing.

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ace71 | @ace71 | Feb 18 2:51pm

Thank you. I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment. Everything was fine 4 months ago. I talked to my doctor this morning and she too felt that I'm probably fine but recommended an ultrasound and that test be run every 3 months.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 19 11:20am
In reply to @ace71 "Thank you. I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment. Everything was fine..." + (show)
@ace71

Thank you. I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment. Everything was fine 4 months ago. I talked to my doctor this morning and she too felt that I'm probably fine but recommended an ultrasound and that test be run every 3 months.

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First, I would guess that "I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment" was via kidney and liver function blood tests. Repeat tests now might say the same, because early stage NA-FLD (steatosis) often doesn't have effect on function. So close monitoring is the right answer - my kidney & liver function were tested every 3 months the whole time I was on the Big 3, and for 6 months after I stopped. Now they are monitored every year, and the function remains normal.

I would also like to point out that radiology reports can be tricky.
I had a heart CT with contrast in September. My cardiologist's group has a "two read" protocol - each scan is read independently by two radiologists before it is returned to their office with the test findings. One radiologist interpreted the blockage in one artery as mild, and the other as moderate. The cardiologist agreed with the "moderate" interpretation, and used that protocol to treat me. They also differed on whether there was thickening of the wall in one chamber. He said these differences happen fairly often.

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ace71 | @ace71 | Feb 19 4:09pm
In reply to @sueinmn "First, I would guess that "I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment"..." + (show)
@sueinmn

First, I would guess that "I had my kidneys and liver checked prior to drug treatment" was via kidney and liver function blood tests. Repeat tests now might say the same, because early stage NA-FLD (steatosis) often doesn't have effect on function. So close monitoring is the right answer - my kidney & liver function were tested every 3 months the whole time I was on the Big 3, and for 6 months after I stopped. Now they are monitored every year, and the function remains normal.

I would also like to point out that radiology reports can be tricky.
I had a heart CT with contrast in September. My cardiologist's group has a "two read" protocol - each scan is read independently by two radiologists before it is returned to their office with the test findings. One radiologist interpreted the blockage in one artery as mild, and the other as moderate. The cardiologist agreed with the "moderate" interpretation, and used that protocol to treat me. They also differed on whether there was thickening of the wall in one chamber. He said these differences happen fairly often.

Jump to this post

Great information. Thank you very much!

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