Road to diagnosis: the history of Susan Horava’s puree

For years, I have trusted the words “you are in good health” during my annual physique.

As a person diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (SOPK) at 16, I had fought against my metabolism all my life, looking at my Yo-Yo weight of 50 pounds several times. As an adult, when my weight slipped, I was heading for pre-diabetes; When he dropped, my A1C numbers have improved.

To stabilize my metabolism, I was finally prescribed a common medication for resistance to insulin. I thought I was doing everything correctly. But a silent threat was brewing – the one that went unnoticed for more than a decade.

For seven years, my straps have shown high liver enzymes, which are types of proteins that accelerate chemical reactions in the body. More specifically, liver enzymes Alanine transaminase (Alt) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) were high, which can point out damage to liver cells or liver steatosis.

I felt good, I rarely drank alcohol and my primary care doctor postponed the results of the blood test, saying: “Do not worry about these figures.” So I didn’t do it.

When I left the state, a new doctor noticed the same raised enzymes. She ordered tests for hepatitis and abdominal ultrasound. The hepatitis test has returned negative. But ultrasound has revealed a liver disease associated with the metabolic (MAFLD).

Advice? “Lose a little weight and everything will be fine.” No one mentioned the potential of serious consequences or that the foie gras could be reversed if it is taken early.

Years have passed and I continued my relatively healthy lifestyle: no meat, a lot of fruits and vegetables and an occasional exercise. I gave myself to food and sugary drinks without a second reflection. I was known as a good baker and I enjoyed a daily visit to the wheel to get my caramel coffee drink. I did not know that everything I drank or ate affected my liver.

My doctors and I ignored the persistent enzymes of the high liver, assuming that they were not a problem.

Almost 15 years after these first blood tests of the liver, my body began to go up the alarms. The serious muscle contractions rocked me at night. Dull pain has persisted in my upper right abdomen, accompanied by frequent indigestion and unusual daytime fatigue. The blood revealed anemia and iron supplements have been prescribed without explanation.

Fatigue has supported, but the pain and indigestion have persisted. I started taking pills daily for stomach bloating and gasoline pain. Frustrated when nothing released my burning indigestion, I turned to a gastroenterologist. As he examined my file, his concern was palpable. “Why were these symptoms and straps ignored?” He asked.

Fatigue, high liver enzymes, pain, indigestion and muscle contractions were all red flags of a liver in difficulty. He ordered a battery of tests: genetic screening for liver diseases (alpha-1), an improved blood test for liver fibrosis (ELF) to check the scars, blood clotting assessments and imaging.

At the time, I was perplexed and wondered if necessary. After all, it was just an indigestion … at least I thought.

During work, a notification pinned on my phone – my test results were. Puree is a more serious MAFLD stadium, which means that my mafld had advanced.

A frantic online research has confirmed the severity of the situation. I already knew the fat in my liver, but Mash meant that I now had inflammation and liver damage.

Later in the day, my gastroenterologist called, amazed by the results. A liver biopsy has been ordered. Three days after the procedure, he recalled, his heavy voice with regret: “I’m really sorry. You have a metabolic cirrhosis.”

Cirrhosis. The word struck as a freight train. Permanent scars in the liver. I did not drink or take drugs. How could I have cirrhosis? It turns out that puree can cause cirrhosis. My liver, marked beyond repair, would never be the same again. Anger jumped not only to the diagnosis, but to the years of alert signature rejected. Why had no one acted on these howling indicators?

I channel my frustration in action, joining defenders of liver education to educate others on the dangers of hepatic steatosis. I want to end the false idea that liver disease is only linked to alcohol or drugs.

Today, I transformed my lifestyle: no added sugars, homemade meals and regular exercise. My liver is “happy” but permanently marked. This should not be your story.

The liver, the second second organ of your skin, fulfills more than 500 vital functions. Knowing the importance of your liver and the potential complications of liver steatosis, including puree, can help you take the right measures now. In its early stages, foie gras is reversible. If I had known 15 years ago, I could have worked to heal mine.

If you suffer from diabetes, sopk, obesity or high liver enzymes, do not wait for the symptoms to require attention. Ask your health care provider of test options, such as an ultrasound or fibrosis test. Do not let silence steal your health. Talk, get tested and take control. Your future me will thank you.