Liver function after pregnancy/c-section/painkillers

[ouchthishurts]

Posted this in general health, but thought I might try here too!

I had my second DC by c-section 2 weeks ago. Routine blood tests at 10 days post-section showed my platelet count was high, and some 'raised' liver function results (in, I think, 3 of the 5 tests, the GP did explain which but I didnt understand/remember). My GP was not vey worried - all other blood tests fine, my platelet count has been repeated and is falling - and has asked me just to repeat the bloods in a months time to look at these functions. He sad one of the reasons he wasnt partic worried about the liver results was because they were all compeltely normal last July (which was just after the birth of my first DC), plus have just had the surgery etc. I just wondered, then, if these results could be a result of the surgery (as he believes the raised platelet count to be)? Or even the painkillers I was on afterwards (ie full dose of paracetomol for the 2 weeks post delivery). Appreciate that it is hard to say (especially as I am unspecific about what exact tests were high) but if anyone has any reassurance (am deseprately trying not to get into a panic which is not easy fo me!!) or any experience I'd be very gratful!

Are you sure you didn't have pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome? That would account for it. I had partial liver failure after DD was born (and I had pre-eclampsia) but this time with the PET I just got elevated levels of whatever jiggery pokery you are meant to have in your blood supporting your liver (see I didn't listen either and you'd think after the last time I would have!)

But if it was a serious problem you'd be having daily blood tests, as I did, rather than 'come back in a month', so don't fret. Just enjoy your baby!

No, no pre-eclampsia or HELLP - in fact straight forward pregnancy. But am interested to know these things do affect liver function.

I am reassured to hear you say I would be having daily tests if they were really worried. I have been very good about not googling this, but am still not very good about not letting me mind drift into worst-case-scenaorio land about my liver packing up/cirrhosis (even though no real reason for any of these worries I dont think).

Thanks wmmc.

Quite honestly if it was more than a mild infection (which can throw your liver results and platelets out) you would not be allowed to leave hospital until they reduced quite considerably and then you would still have daily blood tests and midwife visits to check your blood.

Not Googling is sensible. But unless you are assuaging your worries by downing a pint of whisky a day I wouldn't worry!

Thanks again wmmc - I should have said I am sorry to hear you had partal liver failure, that must have been so scary (and makes me realise I should just stop worrying over what is very likely to be absolutely nothing - if this is the most I have to worry about re my health I should count myself very lucky).

I explained a bit more on my previous thread: I say it was 'routine blood tests' - in fact, I had icnreased lochia a week ago, last Sunday, so phoned midwife who said go straight to A&E! So my bloods were taken on Sunday at A&E really to be checking for infection - of which there was no sign, just this raised platelets and liver function.

So repeat blood tests ordered by the GP on Tuesday, and platelets down, but he didnt ask for liver function to be tested. they didnt even mention it, in fact, in A&E, (I was told my results were normal excpet for the raised platelets) it was only when the GP called me this afternoon to discuss platelets that he said to repeat the tests in the new year to check platelets have continued to fall and to 'check the results on the liver function, which were a bit 'wonky''.

I am mainly annoyed at myself - in my first pregnancy and delivery I feel that lots of things arose from 'opporuntistic screening' (as the consultant referrred to it when I discussed the issue with him and said it had given me a fear of coming within a mile of the hospital as it seemed that whatever I went in for they would find something else the matter!). I dont have an infection, and the lochia has now stopped again (I think I just overdid it) but because of that trip I now have these extra worries! of course, if I do have problems, I am glad they have been picked up, but last time several things were worried about (me with high BP, DD with heart murmur that then went etc etc) that transpired to be nothing. Avoided the hospital during this pregnancy - trusted my instincts far more - and now, post-delivery, I have ended up here, with something else to worry about!!

But I know its only as much of a worry as I let it be ie as much as I let it hang over me. When it drifts into my mind for the umpteenth time in a day I will remind myself of what you say - that they would be checking bloods/oredering more urgent tests if they thought my liver was packing up.

Thanks again - and as I say, hope all is well for you now.

(sorry, long post)

Ah now that makes a lot more sense - when you have increased lochia ten to fourteen days post partum and you've had a section, it generally indicates a uterine infection, which can get bad very quickly. Normally metranizadole and cefalexin is given in high doses to kill the infection. However in some people it doesn't get bad enough to warrant it and by the time you get tested your body is already recovering.

The liver function tests can be affected by a lot of things. Most people who have recently been pregnant will have a dodgy result - pregnancy is hard on the liver, after birth it has to get rid of a whole lot of stuff and so works harder.

You are right to worry, you have a baby to look out for - so you have to keep yourself healthy, but it sounds like you had a slight infection and it's getting better.

Thanks so much wmmc, sounds like you know what you are talking about. And, I also now feel less cross with myself for calling midwives and going to A&E as it does sound like it was a bit of an infection. In fact, the A&E dr basically said something along the lines of "doesnt look like you have an infection now, but theres a chance this could be the start, but wont start precautionary antibiotics because of breastfeeding". Give the lochia has slowed (though do still have some occasions of increased bleeding, but not as red - sorry for TMI) I hope I have indeed shaken it off. The doctor has also booked me for a scan in January just to double check things are OK, which is reassuring.

Definitely not going to let myself worry about this liver function thing now and will try and be very strict with myself, all sounds very normal for recently pregnant/c-section/possible mild uterine infection/on lots of painkillers person!

Thats exactly it, my primary concern is of course the health of DD and DS, but after that comes my health, simply for the sake of DD and DS, and espcially teeny, breastfed, completely dependent DS!

Ah yes, well I've also had two post partum infections, one which was quite serious so sadly I do know quite a bit about them . Increased bleeding after a caesarian - particularly when it's older blood (ie browner) usually means you are attempting to do too much. Your uterus can start to spasm and expel a load of blood just after you exert yourself. Tis very scary when it happens but as long as it doesn't smell bad (think gone off meat) and you don't have a fever, you are fine.

You didn't have Obstetric Cholestasis? This can develop in late pregnancy and can be quite mild, so that you wouldn't know you had it unless you had a liver function test, indicating that your blood biles were high (by the way - it usually starts to disappear after birth and has no lasting effect on your liver - a completely weird, pregnancy-related thing!)

I just mention it because I had OC, and it takes a while for your liver to settle down after birth. I am about to go for a blood test now, actually, to see if all is back to normal. Worth a mention to your GP?

Thanks wmmc

MrsMattie - I didnt have OC as far as I know (I can get quite itchy skin anyway, can get quite dry especially this time of year with central heating etc, and didnt notice any increase in that). But will definitely mention to my GP as a possibility. Thanks!
Good luck with your blood test - how many weeks post-partum are you?