Petrified I've got liver disease

[Worriedvmuch]

I have had symptoms for a while and now I have very blotchy palms/fingers and soles which are burny/itchy.
I had private bloods done, and my LFTs are all within range except ALT, which is 59. Today I have also found a couple of little bright red spots on my skin, which I also know can be caused by liver problems.
DH have used wine as a crutch for some years, and a few months ago we majorly cut back, and had a month off completely. However I fear the damage was already done, and I am so anxious and frightened.
I am struggling to function today, I'm so upset and shaky, and I've hardly eaten. I feel like I'm about to break, if that makes sense.
Part of this is also the shame and embarrassment of telling family if that is what is wrong.
I do have an appointment with the gp and will discuss it all with them, but I just needed to get it out.
I'm also menopausal, which isn't helping my emotions.

Did not want to read and run. It sounds like you are getting a bit too worried. If your blood results were worrying, your private lab would have flagged it up for a referral.

I am not a doctor but a quick web search seems to say that higher ALT levels can also be unrelated to liver damage, eg diabetes or virus (mononucleosis, etc).

It is great you want to reduce alcohol (always a good idea I think even if you had Mel Gibson's liver) and are keen to give your liver a break, but the body is a complex machine and it sounds like you are on the right track with a GP assessment booked.

Relax. Know you are doing and have done something good already.

The liver can repair itself. But not indefinitely.

So perhaps it’s good that youve had a fright now and can consider your eating and drinking habits and come up with a plan to be more healthy.

Tell your doctor about your stress and see if you can get counselling. It’s really good and gives you other ways to look at your problems. Turning to unhealthy food or alcoholic drink when you have a problem isn’t ideal. Good luck OP

I belong to sober groups on Facebook and the number of people who come back from the brink of liver damage is truly astonishing. You must stop drinking. If you are finding it hard to envisage life without booze I recommend reading Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck. That man worked miracles on my drinking. I'm coming up to 18 months without it.

When you say wine as a crutch, how much wine?

@Northernsoullover what sober groups would you recommend on Facebook? I am doing a 30 day dry challenge, because I was drinking too much, too often. I am 14 days in and I think I want to keep going after the 30 days - I prefer life sober so far.

OP, try not to worry yourself unduly. Have a chat with the GP, or even call 111 tonight and ask to talk to a healthcare professional about your fears, they may be able to reassure you.

Thanks for the lovely comments.
That's encouraging re coming back from it. I'm hoping that it's a good sign that I don't have jaundice or dark pee or ascites.
It's very frustrating that I've already got the alcohol levels down to within the government guidelines, yet it may be too late to make a difference.
I had a month off, and then for the past 3 weekends have had a couple of glasses. I've not had any at all during the week, I've broken the habit. I do have to say that the thought of literally zero ever again doesn't fill me with joy, but if it's that or serious illness, then it's a no brainer.

@craggymaggie do you have any symptoms or did you stop before you got to that stage?

Worried I have had itchy hands and feet and it's down to menopause.

@Pieceofpurplesky thank you. Mine are red and blotchy too, which comes and goes. Do you have that?
They're red with little white blotches all over them

Have you had a look at COVID rash? May be worth a test...

Definitely never too late to stop drinking though, it can only do you good.

I’ve had raised ALT results - think it was at 80 at one stage - and I was also really worried about liver disease (it’s in the family). I asked for a liver scan based on the blood tests I had and it turns out I have a small number of gall stones. It may be something similar - raised ALT can mean all sorts of things.

[quote Worriedvmuch]@craggymaggie do you have any symptoms or did you stop before you got to that stage?[/quote]
No symptoms of serious ill-health, just fatigued and headachey all the time with a poor appetite and a lot of heartburn. All of that has stopped since I knocked the drink on the head.

Your symptoms could be menopausal though. It sounds as if you have managed to get your drinking down to acceptable levels already, so well done for that.

@flatoutpanic thanks. I'll have a look. It isn't a rash as such though, it's under the skin rather than on the surface x

@craggymaggie yes, I've had reflux etc a lot over the years, and like you it has improved greatly in the past few weeks

worried, just don't drink, take vitamin b complex and vitamin b1. You'll be fine.

@jessstan2 thanks - but I'm not sure how you could know I'll be fine. I really wish I could just believe you x

Don't try to self-diagnose. You're not a doctor and you can't interpret bloods. See what the GP says. If they're worried they can refer you for a scan.

You have to believe it yourself. I'm only going on what you are saying. I had hugely elevated liver enzymes, now normal. I was determined! I drink plenty of water and eat quite well too.

I know, self diagnosis is stupid. I guess the problem is that I know I was abusing alcohol for a long time. I have googled things trying to be reassured, however in many cases it ends up panicking me more 🤦🏼‍♀️

@jessstan2 do you know what caused yours to be raised? Were all your LFTs raised?

My ALT is way higher than yours and the Drs aren't worried. I've had ultrasound under contrast, CT under contrast and all ok. I have a blob on my liver but if it was cancer then I'd be dead by now. It corresponds with chronic fatigue which I've had bouts of since cancer treatment three years ago. One GP assumed I was an alcoholic due to my levels. I don't drink much - go for weeks with nothing and then husband and I share a bottle of wine over three days. Gin and tonic now and again. My advice is to eat lots of veggies, drink tons of water and keep off the booze.

Thank you @Flyingarcher, I'm glad to hear your issues are being well dealt with 😊

@Worriedvmuch my hands and feet get really itchy and have like tiny dry blisters on them

Thank you. Mine are sometimes itchy and sometimes burning. The colour they go really freaks me out 😕

Hello, you've don't the right thing by making an appointment with your GP. In the meantime, you could call the British Liver Trust's freephone helpline on 0800 652 7330 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) or email [email protected]. It is run by liver nurses. I hope that helps!

Hello again, sorry, in our previous message it should have said 'you've done the right thing'. (Not 'don't')