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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Abstinence From Alcohol Treat Liver Disease?

I have been seeing a GI doctor lately regarding high LFT test. 87/41. Ferretin 458, All other levels within normal range, A liver biopsy showed iron stores in the liver (stage 2 fibrosis) and less fat than they anticipated (diagnosis from US was fatty liver). I am 29 years old and have been drinking since high school, I was a social drinker for the most part but realized this damage must have been from drinking. I have not touched alcohol since 3/5/2011. If i abstain from alcohol will my liver ever heal and will i have to abstain from alcohol for the rest of my life? I am not an alcoholic, no police trouble, no driving, no black outs, not daily or even weekly drinking.
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Well....for good or for ill, alcohol is not anymore the entire story. The iron stores are elevated and one should consider iron overload. This can occur from red wine and can, by itself cause liver irritation/cirrhosis. And, can also be from a congenital tendancy to absorb too much iron OR other sources of iron (taking too many vitamins). Might want to have sophisticated studies of iron absorption to determine it. There's 3 stages of cirrhosis... some, significant, and dying ("Child's classification"). You have some. Significant liver cirrhosis does not necessarily affect longevity (if someone stops entirely). Since other causes of liver scarring can be present (iron, and... not sure if hepatitis was checked for, although it is UNLIKELY) it would be recommended to not add to the risks and not to drink at all. Damage heals up. Scarring does NOT. And... if the liver is totally replaced by scar, that's when it becomes fatal.
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Will Abstinence From Alcohol Treat Liver Disease?

Well....for good or for ill, alcohol is not anymore the entire story. The iron stores are elevated and one should consider iron overload. This can occur from red wine and can, by itself cause liver irritation/cirrhosis. And, can also be from a congenital tendancy to absorb too much iron OR other sources of iron (taking too many vitamins). Might want to have sophisticated studies of iron absorption to determine it. There s 3 stages of cirrhosis... some, significant, and dying ( Child s classification ). You have some. Significant liver cirrhosis does not necessarily affect longevity (if someone stops entirely). Since other causes of liver scarring can be present (iron, and... not sure if hepatitis was checked for, although it is UNLIKELY) it would be recommended to not add to the risks and not to drink at all. Damage heals up. Scarring does NOT. And... if the liver is totally replaced by scar, that s when it becomes fatal.