My DH has raised liver enzymes... any calming words, please?!

[emeraldgirl1]

Briefly, he was diagnosed with a fatty liver 2 years ago, had raised liver enzymes then so this is nothing new. He had liver ultrasound and that came back fine, just showed fatty liver. He was told to lose weight (he wasn't obese or anything, just a family history of high cholesterol and stores all his weight in section on tummy) which he THINKS he's done but I still think he has about a stone to lose.

Anyway he's gone back for a check-up (a different doctor) and his blood test has just come back showing 'raised liver enzymes' STILL. The doctor wants to do another ultrasound to - according to receptionist - 'just check there's nothing else going on'.

Bad timing as this is going to hang over us over Xmas now... and I don't know what's going on!!! She was nice on the phone and said plenty of people have these very raised liver enzymes and are actually perfectly healthy, and/or it's just the fatty liver still and he really will need a kick up the bum to lose the bloody weight (my words not hers!) but is there anything else that it could be? Should I be lying awake worrying, in other words...?

Any experience, advice - TIA!!

No, don't lie awake worrying

The receptionist is right, most of the time raised liver enzymes (even without a fatty liver) are nothing to worry about - could be he's had a cold, has taken paracetamol, has had a drink or two, or a million other factors. I suspect the GP is being careful because he has already been diagnosed with fatty liver - and therefore would tick the 'send for precautionary u/s' box automatically.

HTH, horrid having health worries over Xmas!

Yep - loads of people walking round perfectly healthy have raised liver enzymes. It's common with certain drugs as well so liklihood is that it's exactly what you already know - he has a fatty liver and still has a bit of weight to lose.

Thanks so much Elibean and Dilly. Really appreciate your posts. It is horrid having health worries over Xmas, especially when they're (probably) of the need-to-lose-weight variety...

I remember last time he had the high-enzyme results a friend was saying it could be paracetamol or a reaction to a big night of booze but I think now it's too obviously become a trend for it to be anything to do with that. (have forgotten, he did have another blood test about a year ago and it was still high for the liver enzymes; can't reallly believe I let it go a whole year without following up...) So I guess it almost certainly is linked to the weight thing. He dos drive me mad as he has taken 2 years to lose about half a stone and thinks he's done brilliantly - and can't really see that he has anymore to lose... he's a nightmare on this front tbh, any attempt I make to suggest that he avoids certain foods or anytime I say I think he has more weight to lose he goes in a strop and then spends ages justifying how 'brilliantly' he's doing and how he still needs his treats... He's a wonderful H is all other ways but on this front he drives me insane.