iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersInternal Medicineliver cirrhosis

Does my ultrasound report show liver cirrhosis at 25?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 25-year-old and a former heavy drinker who has reduced drinking in the past few months. I am also a diabetic type I patient who has good control over it with a healthy weight and normal blood pressure. I take insulin for type 1 diabetes, Bricanyl inhaler, which is used occasionally, and had injections of vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplement, and tablet Sertraline 50 mg daily for the last six weeks. I had blood tests every six months, with LFT showing an increased level of bilirubin, albumin, and ALT.

I recently had an ultrasound of the liver and was very worried as the ultrasound showed mild cirrhotic liver changes. Although the ultrasound features depict the liver being of normal size and echotexture, with no HCC, and no liver lesions and portal veins and artery also showed antegrade flow. Previously, I also had an MRI a few months back, which depicted an enlarged right lobe with 172 mm homogeneous signal, with a bit enlarged liver with no signs of cirrhosis and no liver lesions in the scan. And I also had an ultrasound long back, which also showed a normal liver. I am very anxious about my ultrasound report as it depicts cirrhosis, but the previous reports showed no cirrhosis. I want to know

  1. Which is the better diagnosis?
  2. Is my liver really cirrhotic?
  3. What does 'mild' mean?

Please give your opinion.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. As your recent report of ultrasound suggests mild echo texture, which means less coarse, so we need to believe in the recent reports only. I just want to ask a few questions

Please, answer these questions, so that I can guide you better. Wish you good health and thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your concern. I always have to go for a blood test every six months due to diabetes. A recent blood report is nearly two months back, in which hemoglobin was 129 g/l, total white cell count 5.7 K/uL, platelet count 275,000 mcL, AST serum 16 U/L. The liver function test includes serum total protein 74 g/L (normal range: 64 - 83); serum albumin 46 g/L (normal range: 35 - 50); serum ALT level 9 U/L (normal range: 10 - 35); serum alkaline phosphatase 61 U/L (normal range: 40 - 150); serum bilirubin level 9 umol/L (normal range: 0.0 - 21); serum globulin 28 g/L (normal range: 20 - 39) along with iron tests which include serum iron level 14.4 umol/L (normal range: 4.4 - 27.9); serum transferrin 2.18 g/L (normal range: 2.0 - 3.2); transferrin saturation index 26 % (normal range: 0 - 55) and urea and electrolytes that include serum sodium 139 mmol/L (normal range: 136 - 145); serum potassium 3.8 mmol/L (normal range: 3.5 - 5.1); serum urea level 1.6 mmol/L (normal range: 2.5 - 6.7); serum creatinine 48 umol/L (normal range: 50 - 98). I have also tested for the genetic disease hemochromatosis and the result was negative. I also have blood reports which are of the past six months. They include serum total protein 79 g/L (normal range: 64 - 83); serum globulin 31 g/L (normal range: 20 - 39); serum bilirubin level 19 umol/L (normal range: 0.0 - 21); serum ALT level 12 U/L (normal range: 10 - 35); serum alkaline phosphatase 57 U/L (normal range: 40 - 150); serum cholesterol 3.2 mmol/L; serum HDL cholesterol level 1.7 mmol/L; cholesterol/HDL ratio: 1.9; serum non-HDL cholesterol level: 1.5 mmol/L; along with these, there were GFR tests that include serum creatinine 49 umol/L (normal range: 50 - 98); serum prolactin level 329 mIU/L (normal range: 109 - 557) and urea and electrolytes that include serum sodium 140 mmol/L (normal range: 136 - 145); serum potassium 4.0 mmol/L (normal range: 3.5 - 5.1); serum urea level 2.4 mmol/L (normal range: 2.5 - 6.7).

Previous to these tests, all tests had a normal liver function. Yes, I do have some itchiness over my back, lower abdomen, and shoulder, which occurs when I am very stressed. A year back when I had no symptoms, my urine was pale and normal, no spider red veins, no swelling in my legs or abdomen, my HBA1C was 48, and my diabetes type 1 was good to moderate in control. So, my question is how can I develop cirrhosis in just a few months? And is the MRI more or less accurate than ultrasound for liver cirrhosis?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com,

I understand your worry, but in your case, the gap between the two reports was almost 4 months. And, four months' time is sufficient to develop changes in the liver parenchyma. MRI is superior in diagnosing liver parenchymal changes and diseases like cirrhosis. but I would say, in your case, the most important factor of alcohol consumption is still present. as you were taking alcohol regularly may be in small quantities during these four months. So, the main causative factor was still present. I think you also agree with me. so, I would recommend you have a new MRI done again, if possible.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 21, 2023
Reviewed AtApril 16, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

Consult this doctor
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Read answers about:

liver cirrhosis

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.