Autoimmune hepatitis*
Is it beneficial to use turmeric for cirrhosis caused by autoimmune hepatitis?
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
Von, Volunteer Mentor
@vdouglas
@vdouglas
Posts: 189
Joined: Mar 06, 2015
@johnbishop Hello @luserm1 – Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are glad you found us. Connect is a good place to share your health concerns, ask questions and learn what others are doing for similar health concerns. I have no medical training or background but I do have an autoimmune disease – polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I take turmeric supplements to help with the inflammation and think it helps some. When I’m trying to find as much out as I can about a supplement, drug or treatment I will use Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) which is great for finding research information. I did a search on your question – Is it beneficial to use turmeric for cirrhosis caused by autoimmune hepatitis? and it returned quite a few links that may be of interest to you.
Can you share a little information about yourself and what you are doing for treatment now? It might be helpful for other Connect members with similar health concerns.
John
Hi @luserm1, You are very disciplined and It’s good that you are concerned because when you are no longer concerned, things get out of control. You need to be sharing some of your secrets with the rest of us.
It’s great that you are so in tune with your glucose response and those morning numbers are very good don’t you agree?
Von
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@rosemarya @luserm1 – I was once diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis by my GI after completing many blood tests for various liver diseases. I do not have the other issues that you describe.
My liver function numbers were not normal was why I had to undergo the testing. When I began treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), I was also treated with prednisone. I seem to recall that there were liver biopsies involved, also. When my GI was not convinced that I had AIH ( because no positive results were coming from prednisone treatment) he referred me to the next level of care – liver specialist. Additional test was able to determine the accurate diagnosis.
Your GI is doing the right thing to make the referral for you to be seen by liver specialist.
I hope you are feeling well. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Rosemary
We’re you also diagnosed with cirrhosis if you don’t mind my asking? I understand if you rather not say.
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3023
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@rosemarya @luserm1 – I was once diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis by my GI after completing many blood tests for various liver diseases. I do not have the other issues that you describe.
My liver function numbers were not normal was why I had to undergo the testing. When I began treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), I was also treated with prednisone. I seem to recall that there were liver biopsies involved, also. When my GI was not convinced that I had AIH ( because no positive results were coming from prednisone treatment) he referred me to the next level of care – liver specialist. Additional test was able to determine the accurate diagnosis.
Your GI is doing the right thing to make the referral for you to be seen by liver specialist.
I hope you are feeling well. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Rosemary
@luserm1, I was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) after doctor performed an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Dye aided to get images of my biliary tree showing the telltale signs of scarring and blocking of my bile ducts.
So- I learned that I had a progressive liver disease. There was some scarring in my liver that was identified by liver biopsies. The term cirrhosis was never used until later.
After my initial ‘shock’ at the diagnosis, I was really comforted and impressed at the depth of knowledge that the liver specialist had. My home GI continued to monitor me, and he frequently consulted with the liver doc.
When you see the liver specialist?
I welcome any questions.
Rosemary
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@rosemarya @luserm1 – I was once diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis by my GI after completing many blood tests for various liver diseases. I do not have the other issues that you describe.
My liver function numbers were not normal was why I had to undergo the testing. When I began treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), I was also treated with prednisone. I seem to recall that there were liver biopsies involved, also. When my GI was not convinced that I had AIH ( because no positive results were coming from prednisone treatment) he referred me to the next level of care – liver specialist. Additional test was able to determine the accurate diagnosis.
Your GI is doing the right thing to make the referral for you to be seen by liver specialist.
I hope you are feeling well. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Rosemary
I see one of them on the 28th, next week. Initially, my GI, wasn’t sure whether it was Primary biliary cirrhosis or AIH. However he’s now thinking it maybe AIH. May I ask what stage cirrhosis?
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3023
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@rosemarya @luserm1 – I was once diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis by my GI after completing many blood tests for various liver diseases. I do not have the other issues that you describe.
My liver function numbers were not normal was why I had to undergo the testing. When I began treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), I was also treated with prednisone. I seem to recall that there were liver biopsies involved, also. When my GI was not convinced that I had AIH ( because no positive results were coming from prednisone treatment) he referred me to the next level of care – liver specialist. Additional test was able to determine the accurate diagnosis.
Your GI is doing the right thing to make the referral for you to be seen by liver specialist.
I hope you are feeling well. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Rosemary
@luserm1, I don’t mean to confuse you, and I’m not avoiding your question, but, I don’t remember ever being given a ‘stage’. When prednisone treatment for possible AIH proved non-effective, I was tested and diagnosed with PSC. I was told that the PSC would develop into cirrhosis. My GI monitored me with 3 month labs and checkups until my PSC developed into cirrhosis. In my case, with a progressive disease, that took years to happen. (And I needed a liver/kidney transplant in 2009)
I think there is something about the individual LFT readings over time that helps the doc to direct the treatment as you are being looked at for AIH or PBC.
Here are a few Mayo links that I want to share with you.
Cirrhosis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/home/ovc-20187218
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/primary-biliary-cirrhosis/basics/definition/con-20029377
Autoimmune Hepatitis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/home/ovc-20167530
I do hope that you find some information to help you prepare for your appointment next week. have you prepared a list of questions that you want to ask the doctor? How can we help you with that?
Rosemary
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@rosemarya @luserm1 – I was once diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis by my GI after completing many blood tests for various liver diseases. I do not have the other issues that you describe.
My liver function numbers were not normal was why I had to undergo the testing. When I began treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), I was also treated with prednisone. I seem to recall that there were liver biopsies involved, also. When my GI was not convinced that I had AIH ( because no positive results were coming from prednisone treatment) he referred me to the next level of care – liver specialist. Additional test was able to determine the accurate diagnosis.
Your GI is doing the right thing to make the referral for you to be seen by liver specialist.
I hope you are feeling well. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Rosemary
Thank you this information is quite helpful. In my case, my LFT’s have also been elevated for years (2004) but I was told i had a fatty liver and diet was the best course of action and no medications were prescribed. This diagnosis of cirrhosis just happened recently in the last 6 months. Though the cirrhosis is severe , my liver is still functioning at this point. However, its imperative to find out what has and is causing the cirrhosis. That’s where I am at right now. Again, thank you for the information and the links. After I research I may have some questions. God bless
Liked by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@kanaazpereira Hello @luserm1,
I’d like to introduce you to Connect members @atorset, @myminnie @gretagean, @mommynumberone, @avonlady38, @vmbreier, @eroch, @lady1994, @klisa24, @billylin, @lizhope33, who’ve discussed autoimmune hepatitis, and I’m certain they would be able to offer more insight.
You may also wish to view these conversations:
– Lupus/ Autoimmune Hepatitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lupus-autoimmune-hepatitis/
– Sister has auto immune hepatitis:https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sister-has-auto-immune-hepatitis/
With regard to your initial question about the benefits of turmeric, here’s a study published in one of the gastroenterology journals:
Antioxidants in liver health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526841/
I also found these discussions about turmeric on Connect:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/turmeric/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/turmeric-taken-with-synthroid/
Thank you and I’ll share whatever new information I come across of after I see this liver specialist this coming week.
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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
@kanaazpereira
@kanaazpereira
Posts: 1979
Joined: Oct 09, 2016
Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
Hi , I saw the first liver specialist last week and he reviewed all my labs, elastrography and biopsy results. He told my lab work and biopsy results were inconsistent with AIH. He stated that the cirrhosis was caused by fatty liver. Since there is no treatment for fatty liver, he told me that watching my diet and exercising “should” keep it from progressing. He told me that “for some reason my liver was still functioning ” though I’m at a stage 4 and so I did not need a liver transplant.
I’m right now waiting to be seen by the second liver specialist. I’ll update you all as soon as I’m seen. God bless
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3023
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
@luserm1, I been thinking of you and I just wanted to drop in and say , Hi. I hope that you are finding some answers to help you move forward.
Rosemary
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
Hi Rosemary, well I saw the second liver specialist and he’s not ready to rule out AIH. He’s going to send the biopsy tissue samples to get analyzed at UT Southwestern in Dallas. I return to see him in December for the results. In the meantime, I need to get an US next month to monitor for liver cancer. Apparently I’ll need to get one every 6 months. So I guess it’s nack to waiting again.
Thanks for following up with me.
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3023
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
@luserm1 – It is wonderful to hear that you liver doctors are giving you a complete work-up and also monitoring you closely!
Waiting is not fun! As far as the 6 month US (ultra sound) – at least they are noninvasive procedures.
While you are waiting, did these liver doctors make any medicine recommendations to your GI?
Hope you are feeling okay.
Rosemart
luserm1
@luserm1
@luserm1
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 15, 2017
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
No not yet. I have an appointment coming up with my GI so I’m going to ask then.
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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3023
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@kanaazpereira Hi @luserm1,
I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we’d love to hear back from you.
@luserm1, It sounds like your doctors are working together on this!
Keep in mind, that correct diagnosis can often take multiple tests that compare results over a period of time.
Rosemary
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
@kanaazpereira
Hello @luserm1,
I’d like to introduce you to Connect members @atorset, @myminnie @gretagean, @mommynumberone, @avonlady38, @vmbreier, @eroch, @lady1994, @klisa24, @billylin, @lizhope33, who’ve discussed autoimmune hepatitis, and I’m certain they would be able to offer more insight.
You may also wish to view these conversations:
– Lupus/ Autoimmune Hepatitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lupus-autoimmune-hepatitis/
– Sister has auto immune hepatitis:https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sister-has-auto-immune-hepatitis/
With regard to your initial question about the benefits of turmeric, here’s a study published in one of the gastroenterology journals:
Antioxidants in liver health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526841/
I also found these discussions about turmeric on Connect:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/turmeric/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/turmeric-taken-with-synthroid/
Liked by Von, Volunteer Mentor, John, Volunteer Mentor