“What does all of this mean? ”
I have not been doing well the last few years, constantly tired, very difficult time doing a normal activity or equal activity to those my age. I have always had chronic lung issues, starting as an infant with RSV. Every year I get a few terrible cases of bronchitis, which more recently develops into pneumonia. I have been requiring more prednisone and antibiotics to fight these infections off. I was always told this is because you grew up with smokers. I have accepted this.
About 4 years ago I started getting weird pains in the right side of my upper stomach. I went to the ER and was told I had lung lining inflammation, made since with my lung history. The pain has come and gone, they always either said gallbladder or lungs. But no one ever investigated much beyond that and told me to exercise more.
So, I just recently moved to a large city, with a major medical university, so I am not sure if that plays a part? I was in a very small rural area before. Long story short, I explained my lung issues, as well as mentioned my mom died at 62 with COPD and my dad at 70 with COPD and he took one listen and immediately had me do a test where you blow into a tube and it reads your lung health, well for a 35 year old female my lung health was WAY low. He said I am very young for COPD, but he definitely thinks that is what was going on. I did grow up with smokers and did smoke from 17-28.
He also ordered blood work. He called a few days later and asked me to come in. My liver enzymes were high. He ordered a full liver workup to include an ultrasound. Well everything on my blood work looked great except something called Alpha 1 was slightly low (87, 90 was the lowest), but then I got my ultrasound results back today (not sure they intended to release all my labs before the doctor saw me.) and it says diffusely coarsened, hyperreflexia & attenuating echo patterns, consistent with moderate-caliber diffuse hepatic parenchymal fatty changes. Liver majored 16.7 cm in length.
My follow-up appointment is on Monday, and honestly, I am terrified. What does this mean? I googled what low Alpha 1 means, and I literally read one article and refuse to read anymore. Especially since my 15 year old son's liver enzymes were high as well at his well-child check at the beginning of September, but his pediatrician didn't ask for any follow-ups, just said to exercise more.
I just really need to understand 1. What does this ultrasound result mean? 2. With these symptoms and results, am I actually looking at a potential issue?
About 4 years ago I started getting weird pains in the right side of my upper stomach. I went to the ER and was told I had lung lining inflammation, made since with my lung history. The pain has come and gone, they always either said gallbladder or lungs. But no one ever investigated much beyond that and told me to exercise more.
So, I just recently moved to a large city, with a major medical university, so I am not sure if that plays a part? I was in a very small rural area before. Long story short, I explained my lung issues, as well as mentioned my mom died at 62 with COPD and my dad at 70 with COPD and he took one listen and immediately had me do a test where you blow into a tube and it reads your lung health, well for a 35 year old female my lung health was WAY low. He said I am very young for COPD, but he definitely thinks that is what was going on. I did grow up with smokers and did smoke from 17-28.
He also ordered blood work. He called a few days later and asked me to come in. My liver enzymes were high. He ordered a full liver workup to include an ultrasound. Well everything on my blood work looked great except something called Alpha 1 was slightly low (87, 90 was the lowest), but then I got my ultrasound results back today (not sure they intended to release all my labs before the doctor saw me.) and it says diffusely coarsened, hyperreflexia & attenuating echo patterns, consistent with moderate-caliber diffuse hepatic parenchymal fatty changes. Liver majored 16.7 cm in length.
My follow-up appointment is on Monday, and honestly, I am terrified. What does this mean? I googled what low Alpha 1 means, and I literally read one article and refuse to read anymore. Especially since my 15 year old son's liver enzymes were high as well at his well-child check at the beginning of September, but his pediatrician didn't ask for any follow-ups, just said to exercise more.
I just really need to understand 1. What does this ultrasound result mean? 2. With these symptoms and results, am I actually looking at a potential issue?
Female | 35 years old
Complaint duration: 35 years
Medications: Spiriva
Conditions: COPD, liver enzymes, Alpha 1
2 Answers
Hepatologist|HepatologyHepatologist
You may have alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency which would put you at risk for lung and liver disease. You should continue seeing a pulmonary doctor and chances are that a hepatologist would be good to see as well. Don't worry about the US results too much. May be more important to check a liver fibroscan or doing other tests to check for fibrosis of the liver.
Fatty liver (steatosis) can be genetic and/or acquired due to diet and/or alcohol abuse. It can lead to cirrhosis and cancer, but can also be treated. In western society, it's a likely cause for hepatitis. Alpha 1 likely pertains to alpha one antitrypsin. It's an enzyme disorder that can lead to chronic lung disease and vascular problems.
All the best,
All the best,
