I got my radiology report from the hospital ( Cat Scan disk and report.) I have to bring it over to my doctor where they have their own cat scan machine. I will have another scan done thursday following them finding 2 nodules on my lungs in june. So, this is to see if they grew.
So, Im reading the report I am suppose to hand in to my doctor and it says I have a fatty liver without focal Mass. Whats that?? Is enbrel causing this? No one said anything to me. I dont need a doctor who is only going to tell me what he wants. If you know if this is serious let me know please.
involving the liver that affect people who drink little or no alcohol.
The mildest type is simple fatty liver (steatosis), an accumulation of fat
within your liver that usually causes no liver damage. A potentially more
serious type, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is associated with liver-
damaging inflammation and, sometimes, the formation of fibrous tissue.
In some cases, this can progress either to cirrhosis, which can produce
progressive, irreversible liver scarring, or to liver cancer.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects all age groups, including children.
Most often, it's diagnosed in middle-aged people who are overweight or
obese, and who may also have diabetes and elevated cholesterol and
triglyceride levels.
With the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in Western
countries, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has become a growing problem.
Although its true prevalence is unknown, some estimates suggest it may
affect as many as one-third of American adults.
Because early-stage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rarely causes any
symptoms, it's often detected because of abnormal results of liver tests
done for unrelated issues. Treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
include weight loss, exercise, improved diabetes control and the use of
cholesterol-lowering medications. [QUOTE=lorster] Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a
range of conditions
involving the liver that affect people who drink little or no alcohol.
The mildest type is simple fatty liver (steatosis), an accumulation of fat
within your liver that usually causes no liver damage. A potentially more
serious type, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is associated with liver-
damaging inflammation and, sometimes, the formation of fibrous tissue.
In some cases, this can progress either to cirrhosis, which can produce
progressive, irreversible liver scarring, or to liver cancer.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects all age groups, including children.
Most often, it's diagnosed in middle-aged people who are overweight or
obese, and who may also have diabetes and elevated cholesterol and
triglyceride levels.
With the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in Western
countries, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has become a growing problem.
Although its true prevalence is unknown, some estimates suggest it may
affect as many as one-third of American adults.
Because early-stage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rarely causes any
symptoms, it's often detected because of abnormal results of liver tests
done for unrelated issues. Treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
include weight loss, exercise, improved diabetes control and the use of
cholesterol-lowering medications.[/QUOTE]
I wanted to add that I got this off a GI site on the internet. You should
find out if yours is the type that can cause you damage and problems
down the road. Than you can take measures to correct it.
Thinkthinn, I know that a fatty liver can be caused by alcohol or obesity or meds, and that it can be a reversible condition, but this is all I know. I'm just guessing about the other part, but I tend to think the "without focal mass" means without a lesion on your liver--so just the fatty liver as a condition.
You mention Enbrel, but I noticed that you are on MTX, as well. I'm not on either of these drugs, but I know that liver scarring is a possible side effect of the MTX. Your doctor will be able to tell you correctly what this is. When is your appointment?
Anyway, I just thought I'd bump this up for you--maybe someone else will know more. Good luck!
(Duh, I didn't realize Lori was posting such complete responses--I'm sorry!).
You know, I think that even if you had overdone the drinking when you were younger, you really would have had something show up before now that would show some type of damage (if not in this test, then in something else over the years). I doubt this is caused by drinking from that long ago... but, again, I don't know much about this.
Try to relax until your doctor can tell you what he thinks it is. Good luck! I know you'll feel better once you have a chance to have it explained. :)
Hey ThinkThin...don't worry, OK? I too was told that I have a "fatty liver" about 3 years ago ...this was found during another procedure which involved testing. My doctor said it was an incidental finding and nothing to worry about. I am not obese either! I am 5'4" tall and 137 pounds. Not as thin nor as tall as I used to be (shrunk from 5'6"...used to be 125 lbs.) but then not as young either. I am 58. I have been on MTX for 6 years now....told not to worry unless liver panel shows a problem. Blood tests have all been normal.
Thank you all and Molly bee I was 5'6' too at one time and 125 lbs. Those days are gone. I live on a diet just to stay at this weight.