Will ferritin be high in hepatic abscess?

Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Will ferritin levels rise in cases of liver abscess? First, we need to understand the significance of ferritin testing. I can also tell you that ferritin does not necessarily increase during a liver abscess. The main form of iron in the body is present as serum ferritin. Clinically, its relationship with the aforementioned diseases is something we can discuss. The first one is related to iron-deficiency anemia. Generally, early stages of iron deficiency do not directly cause significant anemia, but they will lead to a reduction in iron stores. There are many methods for determining serum iron content in clinical laboratories, but none are as sensitive and reliable as serum ferritin. The second point is its relationship with tumors. Ferritin acts as a soluble tissue protein that stores iron in the body. It consists of a protein shell and an iron core, with the iron core having a strong capacity to bind and store iron, maintaining the supply of iron and the relative stability of hemoglobin. The liver is the site of synthesis of serum ferritin and also the organ that clears it. Normally, only a small amount is found in the serum, so during acute or chronic liver damage, or liver cancer, a noticeable increase occurs. Therefore, when liver abscesses affect liver function or cause destruction of liver cells, it can also lead to increased ferritin levels. However, in the early stages of a liver abscess, if treatment is proactive, ferritin levels might not increase.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Can people with liver abscess eat chicken?

In principle, patients with liver abscess who are not allergic can consume some chicken soup, but it should be low in oil and salt, and lightly flavored. We can remove the chicken skin and then stew it lightly. Patients can drink small amounts of chicken soup multiple times to supplement their normal nutrition and enhance their immunity. Since a liver abscess is a consumptive disease, patients repeatedly experience high fevers, low fevers, sweating, and profuse sweating. They need foods that are high in protein and light to boost their immunity and promote a faster recovery from the disease.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Will ferritin be high in hepatic abscess?

Will ferritin levels rise in cases of liver abscess? First, we need to understand the significance of ferritin testing. I can also tell you that ferritin does not necessarily increase during a liver abscess. The main form of iron in the body is present as serum ferritin. Clinically, its relationship with the aforementioned diseases is something we can discuss. The first one is related to iron-deficiency anemia. Generally, early stages of iron deficiency do not directly cause significant anemia, but they will lead to a reduction in iron stores. There are many methods for determining serum iron content in clinical laboratories, but none are as sensitive and reliable as serum ferritin. The second point is its relationship with tumors. Ferritin acts as a soluble tissue protein that stores iron in the body. It consists of a protein shell and an iron core, with the iron core having a strong capacity to bind and store iron, maintaining the supply of iron and the relative stability of hemoglobin. The liver is the site of synthesis of serum ferritin and also the organ that clears it. Normally, only a small amount is found in the serum, so during acute or chronic liver damage, or liver cancer, a noticeable increase occurs. Therefore, when liver abscesses affect liver function or cause destruction of liver cells, it can also lead to increased ferritin levels. However, in the early stages of a liver abscess, if treatment is proactive, ferritin levels might not increase.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Does liver abscess have a connection with drinking alcohol?

Patients with liver abscesses are prohibited from drinking alcohol, because the main component of alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which needs to be metabolized by the liver and directly damages it. Excessive drinking can exacerbate the burden on the liver, worsening the condition. Therefore, patients with liver abscesses must absolutely avoid alcohol. If a patient insists on drinking, they should only do so in moderation three months after the abscess has healed. However, it is generally advised not to drink at all. It is beneficial for the liver if patients consume fresh vegetables and fruits and maintain a light diet, avoiding greasy and rich foods. This diet can also prevent the adhesion and aggregation of platelets, reduce the decline in white blood cells, and promote blood circulation and dispel stasis.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Clinical manifestations of liver abscess

Clinical manifestations of liver abscess include irregular, purulent fever, especially noticeable in bacterial liver abscesses. The fever is irregular and typically high, preceded by chills, followed by persistent pain in the liver area, which worsens with deep breaths or movement. Depending on the location of the abscess, it can lead to corresponding respiratory and abdominal symptoms, often with a history of diarrhea. If the abscess ruptures, it can evolve into purulent peritonitis with pyothorax. Special signs include liver enlargement, and in the intercostal space corresponding to the abscess, there's localized edema and clear tenderness. Some patients may exhibit jaundice. If the abscess breaks into the chest cavity, lung abscesses can occur, or if it perforates into the abdominal cavity, peritonitis may develop.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Reasons why liver abscesses do not liquefy

The reasons for the non-liquefaction of liver abscesses, in my opinion, are several. The first is that the abscess is very large, and the second is the inappropriate use of antibiotics. So, what can we do to solve this problem? Firstly, liquefaction of a liver abscess takes time, and it is difficult for a large abscess or a single large abscess to be absorbed on its own. Therefore, it requires combining with percutaneous drainage. Often, even if the abscess has not fully liquefied, fine needle aspiration can still be performed to extract the pus for culture, and then identify the sensitive antibiotics. After administering a sufficient amount and course of the sensitive antibiotics, the liquefaction of the liver abscess can be accelerated and the pus can be expelled sooner.