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Can Cirrhosis be present after over 20 years sober?
My grandfather used to be an alcoholic but has stopped drinking for over 20 years. Recently the doctor told him he might have cirrhosis of the liver and it may be deadly for him. He is 63, Diabetes type C but keeps a healthy lifestyle. Watches what he eats(my grandma makes sure of that), goes on walks. I am wondering and hoping it is a mistake because they said if it is he might only have 7 years max and I pray it isn't
I never heard of diabetes type C so found this on google is this what you mean?
“Diabetes Class C: onset at age 10-19 or duration of 10–19 years”
Just wanted to be sure you don’t mean Hepatitis C
“Diabetes Class C: onset at age 10-19 or duration of 10–19 years”
Just wanted to be sure you don’t mean Hepatitis C
There are other causes of liver disease than alcohol consumption. There is liver disease from long term chronic infection with hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. There is also non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are other causes as well.
Ok so what kind of doctor is he seeing? Never heard of a doctor saying he might have cirrhosis. Either he does or he does not. What kinds of testing has he had done to make this diagnosis?
Tests that are used to diagnosis cirrhosis:
liver biopsy where they use a needle to take a small piece of liver to examine with a microscope. This is considered the gold standard for diagnosis but it is invasive.
Fibroscan a machine similar to an ultrasound that can determine liver stiffness. Slightly less accurate but still very good and not invasive.
Fibrosure a blood test that can estimate the amount of liver damage.
Supporting tests:
Abdominal ultrasound can detect some of the changes associated with cirrhosis but not used for diagnosis.
Other blood tests like liver enzyme tests. If liver enzymes (ALT, AST) are above normal this would indicate something could be currently irritating the liver.
No one can say someone will die in 7 years there’s no way to make such an estimate. I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis with a liver biopsy 10.5 years ago still doing well at 60 going out to mow the lawn shortly. My doctor has said nothing about my life expectancy as there is no way to make an estimate. I developed liver disease due to being infected with hepatitis C for 37 years before I took one of the new medicines and was cured.
When a patient is in end stage liver disease and very sick they would have weeks or months to live but other than that there is no way to estimate.
What kind of doctor is he seeing? Is he seeing a gastroenterologist? On what basis his he making this diagnosis?
Personally I think he should see another doctor for a more informed discussion of his status. I have never heard of a doctor saying you have 7 years to live. My sister in law who had brain cancer was told she had less than a year. No one can predict that far out as seven years.
Let me know what tests he has had to get this “maybe he has cirrhosis” “diagnosis” or any other questions you have. If you have more information that would be helpful.
Ok so what kind of doctor is he seeing? Never heard of a doctor saying he might have cirrhosis. Either he does or he does not. What kinds of testing has he had done to make this diagnosis?
Tests that are used to diagnosis cirrhosis:
liver biopsy where they use a needle to take a small piece of liver to examine with a microscope. This is considered the gold standard for diagnosis but it is invasive.
Fibroscan a machine similar to an ultrasound that can determine liver stiffness. Slightly less accurate but still very good and not invasive.
Fibrosure a blood test that can estimate the amount of liver damage.
Supporting tests:
Abdominal ultrasound can detect some of the changes associated with cirrhosis but not used for diagnosis.
Other blood tests like liver enzyme tests. If liver enzymes (ALT, AST) are above normal this would indicate something could be currently irritating the liver.
No one can say someone will die in 7 years there’s no way to make such an estimate. I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis with a liver biopsy 10.5 years ago still doing well at 60 going out to mow the lawn shortly. My doctor has said nothing about my life expectancy as there is no way to make an estimate. I developed liver disease due to being infected with hepatitis C for 37 years before I took one of the new medicines and was cured.
When a patient is in end stage liver disease and very sick they would have weeks or months to live but other than that there is no way to estimate.
What kind of doctor is he seeing? Is he seeing a gastroenterologist? On what basis his he making this diagnosis?
Personally I think he should see another doctor for a more informed discussion of his status. I have never heard of a doctor saying you have 7 years to live. My sister in law who had brain cancer was told she had less than a year. No one can predict that far out as seven years.
Let me know what tests he has had to get this “maybe he has cirrhosis” “diagnosis” or any other questions you have. If you have more information that would be helpful.
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