The importance of reading your medical records when living with MASH

Today, I sat down to go over my upcoming summer doctor appointments because ’tis the season for my annual upper and lower gastrointestinal scopes and scans, my yearly MRI, and other tests related to having metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). I had two appointments this week, and I’ll have three more next week. It’s a lot to track when you’re already busy. There is always more prep waiting in the wings.

For every doctor I see, every hospital visit I survive, and every test I take, there are records. To make sure I have a complete picture of my health, I go through those records. You might be surprised by the little bits of information they contain and how useful they can be when you’re trying to map out a healthier future.

I use an app called MyChart, which is connected to most of the doctors and hospitals where I’ve been a patient. It acts as a portal and lets me schedule visits with my healthcare providers, which is mainly what I use it for, along with asking my doctors questions. Before appointments, it prompts me to look over prescriptions and previous health concerns.

I appreciate being able to review past visits and read doctors’ notes, even when I don’t fully understand them. It gives me a chance to look things up, flag what concerns me, and ask my doctor for their overall take on my health. If your doctor’s office offers access to a health portal, take advantage of it.

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Closing the gap

It still surprises me to learn that I had sepsis twice. Believe it or not, as close as I came to death with that terrifying diagnosis, not a single healthcare provider mentioned it to me at the time. That is one of many reasons to see what your medical chart says: Sometimes our healthcare teams fail to communicate important information clearly or quickly. Knowing what your records reveal can help close that gap. You need answers, and sometimes you have to hand your doctor the starting point.

While you’re poking around in your medical files, don’t be intimidated. When I first started managing my MASH, I was often confused by terms used in my blood work and test results. I found clarification through my healthcare team and sometimes by checking reliable online sources to understand definitions and what my numbers might mean. This is how you establish a baseline for yourself and begin building a healthier plan. You can’t address what you don’t know or understand.

Before spending time studying your health history, start identifying healthy goals for yourself. Those goals become clearer when you know your baseline. A spike in blood sugar? Maybe you’re dealing with the metabolic side of MASH. I often deal with hypoglycemia, which means keeping snacks with me so I don’t crash. A low red blood cell count could point to something like anemia, which may result in a prescription for iron to help repair the situation. I am always a bit gobsmacked by what the numbers in my chart reveal. It’s even better now that I understand more of them.

Reading is something many of us do for pleasure, but as a self-admitted news junkie, I read to pick the meat hidden between the bones of every story. Medical records can be dense, awkward, and full of terms that make you almost wish you’d gone to medical school. Still, they are part of your story.

I encourage you to read them. Information is a powerful tool for your health and for reshaping your life after a MASH diagnosis. Be your own Sherlock Holmes, or even his little sister, Enola Holmes. Bring questions. Ask for plain English. Track patterns. Notice what changed and what didn’t.

It is worth your time, I promise.

Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.