Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 9/11/2009

Question
Hi Dr. Dahiya,

I like to drink beer. Typically 4-5 per night on the weekends, basically every weekend for the last 20 years! I also take 40mg fluoxetine in the AM and 20mg simvastatin in the PM.

I have liver enzyme tests every 6 months due to my statin and they have been fine for as long as I've been on the statin (>5yrs). Also, 2 yrs ago, I had an abdominal CT scan (for some abdominal pain which has now been gone for almost 2yrs), and all organs, including the liver, were 'unremarkable'. I have no other symptoms. I am mildly overweight.

My question is whether I can feel confident that my liver has not suffered any damage of concern as a result of my blood tests but even more so as a result of the CT scan. Is a CT scan good at detecting fatty liver, cirrhosis, etc...? I've considered my liver to be in great shape every since the 'unremarkable' result, but now I wonder if perhaps I am being unrealistic. I read someone on another message board who said that he had cirrhosis but CT scans never detected it (his liver always was 'unremarkable') but I wonder if he is just a rare exception.

If you could give me your thoughts as a pathologist I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!
Kevin

Answer
Hello Kevin:

A radiologist will be better able to answer your question as to what is the best modality to image the liver.
Blood tests for liver enzymes provide information about the function of liver. If they are within normal range the liver is functioning normally