Managing Fatty Liver and Gastrointestinal Issues: Your Questions Answered
Inquiry and consultation? Hello Doctor: I had a liver ultrasound today. I have been associated with the hepatobiliary and gastroenterology department since many years ago due to elevated liver enzymes. In my younger days, I often stayed up late and had a penchant for sweet foods ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, fatty liver refers to the accumulation of fat in liver cells, which may sometimes cause fluctuations in liver enzyme levels, but typically involves minimal liver fibrosis. Once it progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the liver may exhibit inflammation or fib...[Read More] Managing Fatty Liver and Gastrointestinal Issues: Your Questions Answered
Understanding Liver Nodules: What You Need to Know After Your Ultrasound
Three liver nodules? Hello, I had a health check-up in August this year, and the ultrasound revealed three hypoechoic nodules in my liver (1.44 cm in segment 2, 0.97 cm in segment 4, and 1.64 cm in segment 7), along with mild fatty liver. My AFP levels are normal, and I have anti...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, a 26-year-old male underwent a health check and was found to have fatty liver and three hypoechoic liver nodules measuring less than 2 cm, with a family history of liver cancer. The differential diagnosis for liver nodules is extensive, including benign hepatic steatosis, ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Nodules: What You Need to Know After Your Ultrasound
Is Ascites Always a Sign of Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients?
If my mother has hepatitis C, does the presence of ascites necessarily indicate cirrhosis? Hello, doctor. My mother had slightly elevated hepatitis C levels three months ago. However, she underwent blood tests, ultrasound, and fetal protein tests at the hospital, all of which wer...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Cooperate with the gastroenterology outpatient clinic for diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Simple initial-stage cirrhosis with ascites is not difficult to manage; please follow the physician's medication regimen and limit salt intake.[Read More] Is Ascites Always a Sign of Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients?
Managing Fatty Liver and GERD: A Patient's Journey to Health
I have a question I would like to ask the doctor? Hello Doctor: I have had abnormal liver function since 2003. I do not smoke, drink alcohol, or chew betel nut, but I have always loved sugary drinks. In the past, I also frequently stayed up late, and I only exercised during physi...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, 1. For those prone to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is advisable to pay attention to diet by reducing coffee intake, and limiting chocolate, spicy foods, and high-fat foods. 2. Helicobacter pylori is associated with chronic gastritis, gastrointestinal ulce...[Read More] Managing Fatty Liver and GERD: A Patient's Journey to Health
Managing Hepatitis C in Elderly Patients: Risks and Treatment Options
Hepatitis C virus issues Hello Doctor, my grandmother is currently 91 years old. She recently had a blood test, and the results showed that she has several million copies of the hepatitis C virus. The outpatient doctor has suggested a three-month course of medication. Considering...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: 1. If your grandmother does not have cirrhosis yet, and you are considering the side effects, it should be fine not to treat her. Since she has likely been infected for several decades, if she is 91 years old and has not shown signs of cirrhosis, it is unlikely that she wi...[Read More] Managing Hepatitis C in Elderly Patients: Risks and Treatment Options
Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Concerns About Cysts and Polyps
Hepatic hemangioma Hello Doctor, at the end of last year during a company health check, an ultrasound examination revealed a liver cyst measuring 2.17 cm, multiple gallbladder polyps with the largest being 0.91 cm, and moderate fatty liver. The AFP levels were normal. In May, I w...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss. There may be some discrepancies in the measurement of gallbladder polyps, so please do not worry. Fatty liver is not directly related to gallbladder polyps. As for the liver tumor, further examinations can be conducted as needed. Changhua Hospital cares about your he...[Read More] Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Concerns About Cysts and Polyps
Understanding Your Hepatitis B Test Results: Do You Need Further Monitoring?
Questions after Hepatitis B testing 2 Hello Dr. Lin: I previously underwent the following hepatitis B tests, and I have some questions regarding the test items and results: (1) Test item: Anti-HCV, result: Negative (0.06) S/CO; (2) Test item: HBc IgG (Hepatitis B core antibody), ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, the presence of surface antibodies indicates protection and can help combat hepatitis B infection. If someone is known to be a chronic hepatitis B carrier for many years and later develops surface antibodies (HBsAb), it does not necessarily mean that the hepatitis B infect...[Read More] Understanding Your Hepatitis B Test Results: Do You Need Further Monitoring?
Post-Treatment Monitoring Strategies for Liver Cancer Recurrence
Follow-up after liver cancer treatment? Hello Dr. Chen, My family member has been diagnosed with liver cancer for 2 years and underwent surgical resection at that time. One year and three months post-surgery, two small tumors (1.4 cm and 2.4 cm) recurred. Initially, TACE was pe...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, if financially feasible, you can undergo a P-MRI examination once every three months for a year; however, the National Health Insurance Administration has not approved such frequent monitoring. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Post-Treatment Monitoring Strategies for Liver Cancer Recurrence
Understanding High Viral Load Despite Negative e Antigen in Hepatitis B Patients
e antigen negative Hello, Doctor. I have hepatitis B. Previously, my liver inflammation caused my AST and ALT levels to exceed a thousand, with a viral load of over a million and positive e-antigen. An ultrasound showed a 0.6 cm nodule. After taking Baraclude, my e-antigen turned...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, some patients with hepatitis B virus may undergo mutations to evade the immune system and relieve pressure, leading to the disappearance of the e-antigen, which allows the virus to continue replicating and causing liver inflammation. It is recommended that antiviral medica...[Read More] Understanding High Viral Load Despite Negative e Antigen in Hepatitis B Patients
Managing Liver Tumor Treatment: Patient Guidance and Medication Options
Liver issues? My father has undergone multiple treatments for liver tumors, including several embolizations and radiofrequency ablations. During a follow-up appointment, his alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was still 21.9. When I asked the attending physician, they were unsure of th...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, after multiple treatments for liver cancer, the AFP level remains high. It is recommended to compare the current AFP value with previous values. Common causes of elevated AFP include chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Elevated AFP can still occur in case...[Read More] Managing Liver Tumor Treatment: Patient Guidance and Medication Options
Understanding Liver Cancer Recurrence and Treatment Options: A Patient's Guide
Liver tumor treatment Hello Dr. Chen, Last March, my family member was diagnosed with liver cancer during a health check-up. In April of last year, they underwent surgery for resection, and the pathology report indicated stage 1 or 2. In October of last year, a follow-up CT sca...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, after the surgery, you can undergo a self-paid EOB-MRI in one month to confirm how many tumors are still viable or newly developed. S1 electrosurgery requires experienced personnel and carries slightly higher risks. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian.[Read More] Understanding Liver Cancer Recurrence and Treatment Options: A Patient's Guide
Unexpected Growth of Liver Hemangioma: A Yearly Follow-Up Concern
A continuously monitored hemangioma suddenly increased in size by three centimeters within one year? Three years ago, during a health check-up, two tumors were found in the liver. A subsequent CT scan confirmed that both were hemangiomas, with one measuring approximately three ce...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Ms. Hong, very few hemangiomas will enlarge. Please continue to monitor and consider excision or other treatments if necessary. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Unexpected Growth of Liver Hemangioma: A Yearly Follow-Up Concern
Understanding Liver Tumors: Assessing Cancer Risk and Follow-Up Care
There is a tumor in the liver? Hello Doctor: In February, an abdominal ultrasound revealed two tumors in my liver (0.6 cm and 1.7 cm). During a follow-up in April, another tumor was found (0.8 cm). The previous two tumors had not grown, and the doctor mentioned that they might ha...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, the probability is low, but further monitoring is needed. If necessary, a CT scan or MRI may be performed for evaluation. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Understanding Liver Tumors: Assessing Cancer Risk and Follow-Up Care
Understanding Liver Health: Risks of Cirrhosis and Cancer
Liver issues? Hello Dr. Tsai! I am the patient who consulted you a few days ago regarding my condition. After reviewing my report, do you think I am at risk for liver cirrhosis? Also, would you consider me to be in a high-risk group for liver cancer? Thank you, and I would like t...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: 1. Currently, the report does not indicate the presence of cirrhosis; whether it will develop in the future will require ongoing monitoring. 2. To determine if you are in a high-risk group for liver cancer, you should consult your clinical physician, who can assess your pr...[Read More] Understanding Liver Health: Risks of Cirrhosis and Cancer
Understanding Liver Issues: Could It Be Cancer or Benign Tumors?
Liver problems Hello Doctor: On January 23, I had a blood test, and the results showed GOP 153 and GPT 382 with no hepatitis B. The fetal protein levels were normal. Today, an abdominal ultrasound was performed, and the doctor noted two small black spots, which led to a CT scan. ...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: You should trust the conclusions drawn by clinical physicians based on ultrasound and computed tomography diagnoses. Please return for regular follow-up examinations. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Dr. Tsai An-shun.[Read More] Understanding Liver Issues: Could It Be Cancer or Benign Tumors?
Understanding Liver Function Abnormalities After Emergency Contraceptive Use
Liver dysfunction Hello Doctor, I took emergency contraceptive pills on December 9, which I bought at a pharmacy. Later, I visited an obstetrician-gynecologist for insurance purposes, and the doctor prescribed me another dose of emergency contraceptive pills, two pills to be take...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: 1. Liver enzymes may be affected by lack of sleep, medications, and food, and are not necessarily caused by emergency contraceptive pills. 2. As long as liver cells are not continuously damaged, the enzyme levels can return to normal quickly. Changhua Hospital cares about ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Function Abnormalities After Emergency Contraceptive Use
Should You Consider Out-of-Pocket Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B?
Is treatment for hepatitis B out-of-pocket? Hello, Doctor: I have been a carrier of hepatitis B for about two years now. My liver enzyme levels have been around 50-65 during my quarterly check-ups, and my E antigen is positive with a viral load of approximately 100 million. Since...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir. You may consider performing a biopsy to confirm the degree of fibrosis in order to determine whether to initiate medication. Once you start the treatment, do not discontinue it easily. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian.[Read More] Should You Consider Out-of-Pocket Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B?
Managing Chronic Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Family Planning
Follow-up treatment directions for hepatitis B? Hello, doctor. I have been a carrier since childhood. When I was 20 years old, my liver enzymes spiked to 1400, but after treatment, they returned to normal levels. However, at 27, my enzyme levels rose again to over 600, so I start...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir. 1. The viral load is only over 200, and medically, long-term medication is not recommended. However, personal considerations may allow for self-funded long-term medication. If you decide to stop the medication, it is essential to ensure proper follow-up. 2. There ...[Read More] Managing Chronic Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Family Planning
Can Liver Tumors Progress to Liver Cancer? Understanding Your Risks
Can a liver tumor transform into liver cancer? Hello, doctor! In September of this year, I went for a check-up due to gastrointestinal discomfort, and an abdominal ultrasound detected a 0.6 cm tumor on my right liver. During a follow-up visit in December, it had increased to 0.8 ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss. Please do not worry; the chances are likely low. Just continue to monitor any changes in size. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian.[Read More] Can Liver Tumors Progress to Liver Cancer? Understanding Your Risks
Understanding Liver Nodules: Concerns and Next Steps for Patients
Questions about liver nodules? I recently had a health check-up and found the following results: 1. A 1.3 cm liver cyst in segment 8. 2. A hyperechoic nodule in the liver measuring 1.1 x 1.3 cm in segments 7 and 8. 3. Hypoechoic nodules in the liver measuring 2.8 x 2.1 cm in segm...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, please bring the copied images to a medium or large hospital's gastroenterology department for further examination and confirmation. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian.[Read More] Understanding Liver Nodules: Concerns and Next Steps for Patients