Understanding Liver Fibrosis: Causes, Treatment, and Next Steps
Liver fibrosis Hello doctor, a few days ago I had an abdominal ultrasound that revealed liver fibrosis. I then went to Taoyuan Shengbaolu Hospital for blood tests and another abdominal ultrasound. The doctor said the fibrosis is manageable and suggested monitoring it again in a y...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss: The ultrasound diagnosis of mild liver fibrosis is a very subjective statement (the objective assessment is through liver biopsy). Therefore, as long as you do not have hepatitis B or C, do not consume alcohol excessively, and have normal liver function, you do not n...[Read More] Understanding Liver Fibrosis: Causes, Treatment, and Next Steps
Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: When to Consider Surgery
Hepatic hemangioma Hello, Doctor! In recent months, I have been diagnosed with a hepatic hemangioma. The examination process during this time is as follows: 1. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels: In 2014, the AFP level was over 11; in August 2015, it was over 12; and in November 2015...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss: There is likely no need for concern; the fetal protein levels have only slightly increased, and their current significance may be minimal. There may be slight discrepancies in the ultrasound measurements. Please continue to monitor patiently. Changhua Hospital cares ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: When to Consider Surgery
Understanding Fatigue and Digestive Issues: A Gastroenterology Perspective
Regarding the issue? Hello, doctor. I often experience extreme fatigue (to the point where I struggle to speak and walk) along with dizziness and excessive sleepiness. Although sleep and rest can alleviate these symptoms, they return after about half an hour. I have consulted bot...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir: ① If liver function is normal, there are no further concerns. ② Difficulty digesting vegetables is often due to not chewing them thoroughly, so please chew well. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shih-Tien[Read More] Understanding Fatigue and Digestive Issues: A Gastroenterology Perspective
Understanding Floating Oil in Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
Persistent fecal oil floatation Hello Dr. Lin, I have noticed a symptom of floating oil in my stool. Here are the relevant details: **Symptoms**: The stool has some floating oil (a slight amount of oil that can be seen reflecting on the water's surface, rather than a thick...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello Xiaoming, please reduce your intake of fried foods. Excessive floating oil in your stool indicates possible indigestion. You may want to test your stool for floating oil and check for any liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic diseases. Some medications (such as weight loss drug...[Read More] Understanding Floating Oil in Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Your Liver and Cholesterol Test Results: Key Insights
Laboratory Report Hello Doctor, the examination results from 11/06 are as follows: Fasting Blood Sugar: 126 Hemoglobin A1c: 6.8 Triglycerides: 87 Total Cholesterol: 198 LDL: 154 HDL: 38 Creatinine: 1.0 BUN: 19 Direct Bilirubin: 0.1 Total Bilirubin: 0.6 Alkal...
Dr. Chen Qifeng Reply:
Hello, 1. Liver function tests and ultrasound interpretation should take into account the history of alcohol consumption and hepatitis to provide a comprehensive assessment. 2. Total cholesterol levels are not high, but LDL is elevated and HDL is low, indicating poor dietary s...[Read More] Understanding Your Liver and Cholesterol Test Results: Key Insights
Does Intense Exercise Affect Liver Function Tests and Blood Health?
Hello, doctor. Does excessive exercise lead to abnormalities in liver function tests such as CCF and GOT? Hello, doctor. Recently, I have been exercising a lot and eating very little. Despite having some anemia, I thought my diet was healthy, but I noticed that my CCF is +1 and m...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir: These tests are mostly insignificant, so there is no need to worry too much. GOT can be released into the bloodstream due to muscle activity, so you can rest for a few days and then retest. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Does Intense Exercise Affect Liver Function Tests and Blood Health?
Understanding Right Abdominal Pain: Causes and Gastrointestinal Issues
Frequent intermittent dull pain in the right side of the abdomen? Irregular bowel movements are causing abdominal pain. Sometimes I experience constipation, going only once every 2 to 3 days with just a little bit. Other times, after eating something stimulating, I have a large b...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: For right upper abdominal pain, based on the anatomical location of the human body, you should consider: (1) peptic ulcer (duodenal ulcer) (2) ascending colon issues (constipation) (3) biliary diseases (gallstones) (4) kidney diseases (kidney stones with hydronephrosis) (5...[Read More] Understanding Right Abdominal Pain: Causes and Gastrointestinal Issues
Can Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Become Negative with Treatment?
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) Hello, I am a carrier of hepatitis B. Recently, my surface antigen decreased from 1.3 to 1.04, while my surface antibody levels are between 5.6 and 5.56. In previous years, my surface antigen was consistently above 5 or higher. Is there any act...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello, 1. For the treatment of hepatitis B, there are currently five antiviral medications and interferons (both long-acting and short-acting). Antiviral medications reduce HBV-DNA and improve liver function. Interferons have immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. Other mec...[Read More] Can Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Become Negative with Treatment?
Understanding Hepatitis C Transmission Risks and Testing Window
Questions about the transmission routes of Hepatitis C infection? I would like to ask the doctor about the recent outbreak of Hepatitis C in the southern region. If I have sores in my mouth and visit a dental clinic for an examination, without undergoing teeth cleaning or extract...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir: Currently, there is no widespread outbreak of Hepatitis C. Dental clinics generally adhere to high standards of disinfection, and the risk of infection is extremely low. Using disposable instruments (at your own expense) is certainly safer. Hepatitis C is primarily tr...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis C Transmission Risks and Testing Window
Understanding Elevated AST and ALT Levels: Causes and Concerns
AST 961 ALT 246 units U/L The values mentioned are significantly elevated. I do not frequently stay up late and have a habit of exercising. I would like to ask if the soreness in my upper body before the blood test could be the reason for the elevated values. My GGT level is 37, ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: AST: 961 ALT: 246, indicating liver inflammation, requires investigation for the underlying cause. Medications, shock, infections, viral hepatitis, and endocrine diseases can all lead to abnormal liver function, necessitating monitoring of liver function. Excessive exercis...[Read More] Understanding Elevated AST and ALT Levels: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Hepatitis B and C Testing After Fatty Liver Diagnosis
Hepatitis B and C testing? Hello Doctor: A year ago, our school arranged for us to undergo a health check, and my HBsAg was negative and HBsAb was negative. However, I recently went to the hospital for an ultrasound examination, and the doctor said I have mild fatty liver and rou...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Miss: Hepatitis B has likely been ruled out, and Hepatitis C can be tested again. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B and C Testing After Fatty Liver Diagnosis
Can Polio Patients Safely Receive Interferon Treatment for Hepatitis C?
Can patients with poliomyelitis receive interferon? Can my friend, who is a congenital polio patient and also a carrier of hepatitis C, receive interferon treatment? His blood tests show a positive viral load and abnormal liver function. Will this treatment have any impact on his...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Sir: Theoretically, your friend can undergo treatment for Hepatitis C. However, it is important to communicate in advance about the common side effects that may occur during treatment (such as anemia, nausea, weakness, etc.), and to ensure that family members provide ample ...[Read More] Can Polio Patients Safely Receive Interferon Treatment for Hepatitis C?
Can High Doses of Amoxicillin Effectively Eradicate H. Pylori?
Can medications for Helicobacter pylori eradicate the bacteria? Hello Dr. Tsai: Following up on the previous question, I underwent a breath test for Helicobacter pylori at a teaching hospital, and the results indicated that it was not eradicated. Therefore, the physician has requ...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: Amoxicillin is metabolized by the kidneys, and if kidney function is normal, it should not affect future liver or kidney function. The success of treatment may depend on the drug concentration; increasing the dosage is intended to enhance therapeutic levels. Additionally, ...[Read More] Can High Doses of Amoxicillin Effectively Eradicate H. Pylori?
Understanding Liver Complications After Chemotherapy: A Patient's Journey
Liver lesions caused by chemotherapy? Hello, my father underwent surgical treatment for rectal cancer two years ago and was doing well. However, he experienced a recurrence two years later and was transferred to the hematology department at the same hospital. He has been taking o...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: I would like to discuss the reasons for liver function deterioration. Your attending physician must have pondered and searched for causes without success, which is why they responded that the cause of liver deterioration could not be identified. (1) Infection (bacterial, v...[Read More] Understanding Liver Complications After Chemotherapy: A Patient's Journey
Right Upper Abdominal Pain After Coughing: Causes and Specialist Guidance
After catching a cold, I experience pain in the upper right abdomen when sneezing, running, or laughing? Hello, I have been coughing for nearly a month and although I have seen a doctor, I am not completely better. About two weeks ago, I started experiencing noticeable pain in th...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: You described experiencing a dull pain in the upper right abdomen near the right flank for the past two weeks. If this pain is accompanied by a persistent cough, especially when taking deep breaths, it may be necessary to rule out pneumonia in the right lower lobe. Additio...[Read More] Right Upper Abdominal Pain After Coughing: Causes and Specialist Guidance
Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Is It Hepatitis?
Elevated liver enzymes? Hello doctor, my SGOT is 105 and SGPT is 102. My liver enzymes seem to be significantly elevated. I had a health check-up over a month ago, and I just received the results last week. Could this indicate hepatitis?
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: Elevated levels of GOT/GPT indicate liver inflammation; however, the underlying cause may require further investigation, including tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, or excessive use of herbal medicine, among others. Please co...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Is It Hepatitis?
Understanding the Link Between Thrombocytosis and Liver Function Abnormalities
Liver dysfunction and thrombocytosis? I would like to ask about my recent health check-up at school where I was found to have abnormal platelet levels (which has been confirmed as essential thrombocythemia). Additionally, I also had abnormal liver function tests: on August 4th, m...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello, GPT is a specific indicator of liver cell damage. It is recommended to consult a hepatologist to determine the cause of the elevated liver enzymes. Please be mindful of any use of herbal medicines or medications that may potentially cause hepatitis, and try to avoid organi...[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Thrombocytosis and Liver Function Abnormalities
Is Your Hepatitis B Vaccine Still Effective? What You Need to Know
Hepatitis B vaccination administration I would like to ask the doctor, I received the hepatitis B vaccine over ten years ago, and I am unsure if the vaccine is still effective in my body. If it is still effective and I receive a booster dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, will it ha...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, sir: The hepatitis B vaccine often induces an immune memory effect, so sometimes even if antibodies are undetectable, there may still be protective immunity (if exposed to the virus, the immune system can rapidly produce antibodies). Receiving additional vaccinations is ha...[Read More] Is Your Hepatitis B Vaccine Still Effective? What You Need to Know
Understanding Elevated SGPT Levels: Implications for Liver Health and Pregnancy
Elevated SGPT (Serum Glutamate Today, I told my obstetrician about my liver enzyme results, and the doctor said that an SGPT level of 108 is indeed high and may indicate an underlying liver issue, possibly hepatitis C or hepatitis B. If it is one of these two, will it affect the ...
Dr. Chen Qifeng Reply:
Hello, it is important to first confirm whether the mother has hepatitis B or hepatitis C. If not, the likelihood of fatty liver disease is highest. Only hepatitis B can affect the baby, but there is also a risk of transmission through contamination with the mother's blood d...[Read More] Understanding Elevated SGPT Levels: Implications for Liver Health and Pregnancy
Managing Liver Abscess: Treatment Options and Next Steps
Treatment of liver abscesses? Hello Doctor, my father is 67 years old. Ten days ago, he was diagnosed with a liver abscess and immediately underwent drainage surgery and was started on antibiotics. However, the drainage tube has been difficult to manage due to the thick pus, and ...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello, your father is likely suffering from a complex liver abscess. The purpose of replacing the drainage tube with a larger one is to facilitate the expulsion of purulent material from the body as quickly as possible. This, combined with antibiotic treatment, will help control ...[Read More] Managing Liver Abscess: Treatment Options and Next Steps