Question 1

what are all the reasons for having a liver ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

There are many: But common ones include abdominal pain (in the right upper quadrant where the gallbladder is located) or for evaluation of elevated liver enzymes.

Question 2

ct scan showed 1cm cyst on liver. gi ordered ultrasound in 6mnth. do i need 2nd opinion to be sure just a cyst? gi also said afp but no reason why.

Accepted Answer

When: Cysts are small it can be hard to know with certainty that they are indeed cysts on ct. Either MRI or ultrasound can be used to make a firm diagnosis of a cyst. There is one caveat about ultrasound; it can be hard to find small cysts particularly in larger patients. If you have no history of cancer and all your tests are negative follow-up ultrasound in 6 months is very reasonable.

Question 3

what could be a reason for gall bladder swelling seen via ultra sound in an advanced liver cancer patient?

Accepted Answer

It can be Cancer: The liver tumors may be due to Cancer of the gall bladder which often spreads into the liver unless it is treated, removed early. ACT scan can often show whether the Gall bladder is normal or if it is deformed due to cancer arising in the Gall bladder.

Question 4

what could cause an elevated liver profile, determined by bloodwork? having an abdominal ultrasound in 2 days, and i am scared.

Accepted Answer

Fatty liver...: Alcohol and fatty liver are the two most common causes of elevated lfts (e.g. Ast/alt).  The list of other, less common possible causes is long and includes chronic hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, drugs, granulomatous diseases and metabolic liver diseases.  Good luck!

Question 5

i am having low and high alkaline phosphatase result. ultrasound and x-ray report shows a healthy liver. what could be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Many sources: Alkaline phosphate is high due to multiple reasons. They get high due to problem in liver, bone or intestine. It's unclear if your level gets to normal. It will be wise to discuss with pcp.

Question 6

good morning, my alt level on my recent blood work shows a result of 48u/l, should i be concern? what would be the cause of this high result? should i do further test besides ultrasound on my liver? ultrasound results indicate i have fatty liver. not sure

Accepted Answer

Not too high: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, fatty liver can explain the minimal elevation in ALT. If you drink alcohol, stop entirely. If you are even minimally overweight, lose weight.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 7

elevated lfts. liver ultrasound says homogenous coarse echotexture. been on crestor (rosuvastatin) for 1 yr+ lfts normal before crestor (rosuvastatin). is this a cause to worry?

Accepted Answer

Stop the statin: Statin drugs for high cholesterol frequently cause abnormal liver function tests.  You should stop Crestor (rosuvastatin) and check whether or not the liver tests return to normal.  If they do, you might be able to use a different statin.  If they don't, you need to check for other causes of abnormal liver function.

Question 8

ultrasound of liver shows a 2.4x1.5x3.2cm hypoechoic, avascular mass with internal debris may represent a complex cyst. any cause for concern?

Accepted Answer

Some: Some, but not a whole lot.  If indeed this is a complex cyst, these are common and benign.  In cases where there's ambiguity (when you see the word "may,") then depending on symptoms and sometimes lab values, this study would either be repeated in time to assess for change, or a more detailed imaging technique such as CT or MRI would be used to evaluate the lesion in more detail without waiting.

Question 9

i am 24 years old with unknown cause of elevated liver enzymes for more than 6 months with negative ultrasound can i use milk thistle as a liver tonic?

Accepted Answer

Yes: However, it is unlikely to benefit you; most studies show no value. Health doesn't come from taking pills. You need to discover the cause. I trust you've been tested for hepatitis b and c, hemochromatosis, wilson's, autoimmune hepatitis, and antitrypsin deficiency. Elite athletes tend to run high transaminases & that's healthy. If you're sedentary, think about a new focus on fitness instead.

Question 10

can a gallbladder problem cause heart burn? normal ultrasound of gall/liver but still get pain when pushed on along with random pinching.

Accepted Answer

Heartburn: Heartburn symptoms are indigestion & internal upper abdomen discomfort that occurs after eating. While gallstones can cause heartburn like symptoms, you already note that your gallbladder is normal. Look for other conditions such as esophagitis or gastritis. See a gastroenterologist for evaluation & try antacids like Tums (calcium carbonate) to see if that helps you. Heartburn is not created by pushing on the abdomen.

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Doctor answers about:

Reasons for liver ultrasound

A member asked:

What are all the reasons for having a liver ultrasound?

A member asked:

Ct scan showed 1cm cyst on liver. gi ordered ultrasound in 6mnth. do i need 2nd opinion to be sure just a cyst? gi also said afp but no reason why.

A member asked:

What could be a reason for gall bladder swelling seen via ultra sound in an advanced liver cancer patient?

A member asked:

What could cause an elevated liver profile, determined by bloodwork? having an abdominal ultrasound in 2 days, and i am scared.

A member asked:

I am having low and high alkaline phosphatase result. ultrasound and x-ray report shows a healthy liver. what could be the cause?

A member asked:

Good morning, my alt level on my recent blood work shows a result of 48u/l, should i be concern? what would be the cause of this high result? should i do further test besides ultrasound on my liver? ultrasound results indicate i have fatty liver. not sure

A member asked:

Elevated lfts. liver ultrasound says homogenous coarse echotexture. been on crestor (rosuvastatin) for 1 yr+ lfts normal before crestor (rosuvastatin). is this a cause to worry?

A member asked:

Ultrasound of liver shows a 2.4x1.5x3.2cm hypoechoic, avascular mass with internal debris may represent a complex cyst. any cause for concern?

A member asked:

I am 24 years old with unknown cause of elevated liver enzymes for more than 6 months with negative ultrasound can i use milk thistle as a liver tonic?

A member asked:

Can a gallbladder problem cause heart burn? normal ultrasound of gall/liver but still get pain when pushed on along with random pinching.

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