My mother's doctor is concerned about her liver, based on her blood work. She used to drink a lot, but she says she has not been drinking for 10 years. Can liver problems from past alcoholism really show up this long after she stopped drinking?

Marcy

Unfortunately, liver problems may show up this long after stopping drinking. Alcohol may cause cirrhosis (liver failure), which may not show symptoms for years.

It is possible, however, that there is another problem causing abnormal findings on her blood tests. One possibility is chronic hepatitis (a viral infection of the liver), in which the virus remains active in the liver and causes damage over years. Many other diseases that affect the liver progress slowly and do not produce symptoms until years later. Fortunately there are many new treatments that are available, so most people with liver problems can be helped. Your mother and her doctor need to work together to find the cause of her abnormal readings, and to pursue treatment accordingly.