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Avatar universal

Ultrasound reading, ALT and drug abuse

I thought this was the closest related forum to post this question,

I quit painkillers on 9/2013. I abused them the last year I was on at about 10x10/325s daily.  I did 1300mg 2x daily usually but only about 4 hours apart.  

In late June 2013, my ALT was 58, then i went on a daily binge until I quit on 9/20/13.  5 weeks later I thought I was going for peace of mind testing and my ALT was 108.  I had an ultrasound done at 7 weeks clean and it was "suggestive of fatty liver; no hepatic tumor."

I thought APAP enzymes return to normal very quickly and I thought NASH or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (I don't drink) was not triggered by APAP?  

So is my only likely outcome that my readings are indicative of cirrhosis? I am very very concerned.  I wouldn't have thought I would have given myself cirrhosis.  

I'm in my 30s, quit smoking 7 weeks ago, am slightly overweight from the binge but have been this weight when my enzymes were normal.  I also have cleaned up my diet tremendously in the past 7 weeks.  I think the only real culprit are the pain killers.  How likely did I give myself cirrhosis? Most people are thinking I am way overreacting, but I need a better opinion.
3 Responses
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517301 tn?1229797785
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
tylenol causes toxic metabolites in large amounts which damages the liver whereas in much smaller amounts the liver is able to compensate.  It could be NASH--the only way of knowing would be a liver biopsy.  I think you will be fine.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for taking the time to respond. One follow up question.  What about the chances of NASH? Why does APAP rarely result in chronic liver disease when it destroys the liver so much quicker than alcohol?  Thank you.
Helpful - 0
517301 tn?1229797785
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
i dont think you have cirrhosis but for peace of mind you can have a CT scan or MRI.  chronic APAP use typically doesnt result in chronic liver disease,  you may have a touch of fatty liver that will resolve with weight loss and healthy lifestyle
Helpful - 0

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