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What Does Elevated Liver Enzyme Level Suggest?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Sep 2015
Question: went to dr my liver enzynes where slightly elevated the range was fro 15 to 45 my came back at 60 my dr sent me for a liver sonogram which came back as a fatty liver infiltration and a smal area of sparing which is very common also suggested comparison of previous films if any and if not to have another sonogram in 4 to 6 months to see stability and is clinical needed mri of abodmen with and with out contrast if needed this has made me so upset could this be liver tumor or cancer the rest of the sonogram was mormal gallbladdder slpeen pancreas kiddnesy no acites please help im so worried
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
fatty liver does not turn into cancer of the liver

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Fatty liver is presently one of the more common liver problems seen at the moment.
It does not evolve into liver cancer at any point so there is no risk of fatty liver eventually becoming liver cancer.

There is a chance of the fatty liver worsening to cause inflammation of the liver and eventually affecting the ability of the liver to work properly but this is not due to liver cancer.
It is due to continued fat build up and inflammation/irritation of the liver.

As mentioned, fatty liver is very common, at the moment ,it can sometimes be found in some children.
Since you already use a healthy diet, this should be continued, focusing on reducing carbohydrates because it has been found that the carbohydrates are transformed into fat and stored in places such as the liver, muscle.

Low carb diets help fatty liver.

The use of statins (cholesterol medication) may also help as well.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (7 hours later)
thank you what does sparing infiltration there was also a gall blader polyp found on the sonogram which was 0.4mm should i worry this could be cancer and why would they ask for a mri im so worried about this i am over weight and borderline diabertic but may sugars are very controlled please tell me am i sick some doctors do not explaine these things

0.4cm gallbladder polyp
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
sparing means a small amount

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sparing infiltration means that there is little infiltration (sparing means a small amount).

The gallbladder polyp is also not likely cancer, polyps associated with cancer tend to be greater than 1 cm ( rarely smaller), though some persons state 1.5 cm
In persons with smaller polyps such as yours, if there are no symptoms of gallbladder disease then monitoring is the main treatment (repeat ultrasounds approx every 6 months )

The MRI would more clearly take a look at the liver and any other areas but it does not mean that you have cancer

Please feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (14 minutes later)
Thank you if there was any cancer would they see this on the sonogram ? So low fat low carb diet will make the liver healthy again what happens of the liver numbers go up and not down
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
sonagram would show suspicious changes

Detailed Answer:
HI

Suspicious changes would show up on a sonagram. It is not a detailed as some other forms of imaging but it can show up changes

The low carb diet would reduce the risk of progression of any further changes to the liver. It may not revert to normal but would reduce/stop progression.

If the liver enzymes continue to increase, it would indicate that there is a continued or worsening problem with the liver function

If anything else unclear, feel free to ask

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (11 minutes later)
And worsening meaning cancer or liver failure
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
no indicator of cancer in report stated

Detailed Answer:
HI

Worsening does not mean cancer at this point because the ultrasound report does not indicate any evidence of cancer but it may indicate worsening inflammation of the liver.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Does Elevated Liver Enzyme Level Suggest?

Brief Answer: fatty liver does not turn into cancer of the liver Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Fatty liver is presently one of the more common liver problems seen at the moment. It does not evolve into liver cancer at any point so there is no risk of fatty liver eventually becoming liver cancer. There is a chance of the fatty liver worsening to cause inflammation of the liver and eventually affecting the ability of the liver to work properly but this is not due to liver cancer. It is due to continued fat build up and inflammation/irritation of the liver. As mentioned, fatty liver is very common, at the moment ,it can sometimes be found in some children. Since you already use a healthy diet, this should be continued, focusing on reducing carbohydrates because it has been found that the carbohydrates are transformed into fat and stored in places such as the liver, muscle. Low carb diets help fatty liver. The use of statins (cholesterol medication) may also help as well. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions