Possible cirrhosis? Question

[jcepp]

Hello everyone,
I'm almost 44yo, and chronic hep b probably since birth. The infection might have developed into cirrhosis, but need another test to confirm it ( Fibrospect 2). We have been monitoring the disease every 6 months. An mri was done to rule out hcc, and going to repeat it,some time this or next week. The last mri, the liver lesion was a cyst,but on the mri also says abnormal findings "Liver has a micronodular appearance. Mildly fatty infiltration consistent with cirrhosis". My gastroenterologist, never mentioned anything about cirrhosis, until the order to schedule the mri was mailed to me,and from the ultrasound, the abnormal findings were:" Coarsened echotexture of the liver". Then I asked the doctor and he scheduled the " Fibrospect 2" test,to detect cirrhosis. My question is: if I have cirrhosis, why I feel completely normal? All blood test ( Related to liver functions) are all good. Since I suffer from depression/anxiety too, I even asked the gastroenterologist if taking antidepressant will harm the liver. He said not to worry about because this medications are relatively safe and I'm not into liver failure. Started treatment last year ( Viread 300mg daily). The only thing wrong so far related to cirrhosis is an enlarged spleen ( 16.4 cm). The rest as I said, I feel completely good. Is this because of the cirrhosis is " Compensated"?. I know another member wha has compensated cirrhosis for almost 10 years, but she takes medications for fluids accumulation. Thanks for your replies,and stay healthy everybody.

[flyinlynn]

In have had liver cirrhosis for 9.5 years now due to hep c and am still compensated. I do have some lower leg swelling called edema I take a duretic to reduce this  excess fluid.

I also was found to have esophageal varicies on upper endoscopy that needed banding back in 2012. But you soon not feel the varicies. You would only know you have them if they bleed and you start throwing up blood.

The development of ascities is a sign the person is becoming decompensated.

As I am now cured of hep c and my liver is no longer under attack my liver enzymes have returned to normal. Elevated liver enzymes have no relationship to extent of damage they only indicate injury is happening but not the extent of damage done.

I also have an enlarged spleen and a low platelet count. My platelets were about 85 before my hep c was cured but now are about 110 still low but improved.

Good luck