Health anxiety over liver function tests

[Blackberryandcherry]

Hello, I had a blood test this morning through a private health screen offered at work and my levels of AST and ALT liver function tests have been marked as abnormally high (from memory they were 50 and 90). The Doctor was very surprised but not overly concerned and has recommended I come back in 3 months for a re-test. My BMI is 20 so I am not overweight and I eat healthily.

The problem is I am now suffering from extreme health anxiety - I’ve spent all morning on Google worrying and wondering if I have a serious liver problem.

I did start antibiotics the day before the test due to a suspected infected wound (very minor and GP wasn’t 100% sure it was indeed infected). In addition, I have just finished a 3 month course of herbal supplements to address digestive issues - I’ve googled all of these and none of them in isolation should cause liver problems but I’m now wondering if it’s just been too much for my system and I’ve overloaded it.

I’d not had any alcohol in the past 3 weeks but I did have quite a bit over summer due to several weddings and hen do’s etc. Normally I would class myself as a moderate drinker, but I would drink more for special events and holidays etc.

I have a holiday booked to Tuscany in 3 weeks time which I’m also now panicking about as not sure if I should be enjoying the wine or not.

Can anyone offer any advice? I can’t see a situation where I can wait 3 months for a re-test as I’m already out of my mind with worry.

Please don't be overly worried and stay off Dr Google. Liver Function tests are really sensitive measurements and many things can 'derange' them even taking nurofen or similar.

Out of range measurements are usually insignificant and that's why your Dr isn't concerned.

There is a danger of reading the individual test results in isolation and almost always unless you have active 'symptoms' nausea, bowel issues, abdominal pain for example - or you are jaundiced - they mean absolutely nothing and this is why private health testing unless requested by your doctor is not always a good idea and can cause unnecessary panic!

Forget it and just retest in 3 months !

I’ve had abnormal liver results before and then been retested and they’ve been normal. If the doctor isn’t concerned you shouldn’t be either. If you’re young and have a good diet I would lay off the supplements for now.

When you say you're a moderate drinker what does that mean? It's hard to tell what you normally have in a week because you say you had a lot in the summer but then nothing for 3 weeks.

Personally I'd stay off the wine in Tuscany or at least just have one glass with an evening meal. Why are you panicking about the holiday though? Can't you enjoy it without alcohol?

I don’t usually drink during the week, and on a typical weekend I might be drinking a bottle of wine over 3 nights.

If I was on a weekend away I might have 2-3 drinks a day, and the same on holiday, but then I might have a few weeks or a month off when I get back. I do have a handful of big nights out with friends where I drink a lot more and this would be 4 - 5 times a year.

I’m 39 now and I did drink a lot more when I was a student and in my 20’s.

The Tuscany holiday is largely traveling to different vineyards hence the wanting to drink whilst I am there, but of course I can limit and incorporate alcohol free days.

Thanks for this. I am beginning to wish I hadn’t gone to be honest it’s causing me quite a lot of stress.

OP fgs, just enjoy your holiday!!! It could be anything and no one but you seems bothered.

Go to Tuscany, drink the wine and the aperol spritzes and enjoy yourself. You are not drinking at a level that would ordinarily cause liver damage.

Thank you - appreciate this. I’ve ended up massively stuck in head about it and then terrified myself on Google.

I honestly wouldn’t worry.

I have a fatty liver, my husband has a fatty liver, my friend has a fatty liver etc.

none of our doctors have ever said anything to us about it. Not saying that’s what you have but just saying we do have elevated liver function tests and no one is concerned about it.

Certain antibiotics can impact on LFT’s and cause unreliable readings…you should have the test repeated at a later date.

Ps herbal remedies or other treatments ( eg, I have to avoid biotin before my thyroid tests as it’s known to effect results ) can also have all sorts of unintended effects so another reason to get it re done at a later stage. Try not to worry.

Thank you! I hope that’s all it is.