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Original poster

Elevated liver functino tests - please help

21 replies

lisalisa · 20/05/2008 17:29

I'm worried. During some blood tests I had yesterday it was found that I have elevated liver function results. Not wildly off screeen but elevated enough for GP to ask me if I'm an alcoholic!!

A few years ago I had pancreatitis and had my gall bladder removed. At that time my liver function tests were understandably abnormal. I do still suffer wiht excruciating pain which I can only describe as gall bladder pain sometimes.

Also I have been getting episodes of shivery temperatures and pain and fatigue and dizzyness/weakness. It is enough that i have been signed off work for the next week.

I'm getting worried about liver and pancreatic cancer as I can't imagine why all these symptoms are apearing.

Has anyone else had elevated liver function tests wiht wekaness, lethary and fever and if so what was it. Don't worry about being brutally honest as I do need to know.

OP posts:
gagarin · 20/05/2008 17:41

Hepatitis? Not sure which one (A, B, C etc) ...some are nastier than others...

TheFallenMadonna · 20/05/2008 17:44

Glandular fever? That can affect liver and gives the other symptoms too.

lucyellensmum · 20/05/2008 17:51

It would help to know which liver enzymes were raised but as your doctor was asking about your alcohol consumption i would assume, from vague memory that it is the Alkp that was up. Hepatitis would involve this, but also another called AST, if that were the case the doctor would want to re test with a poss test for HepB.

Have you been taking lots of paracetemol lately? That can elevate your bloods too.

I had my gall bladder removed too, i still get the odd twinge but nothing excruciating. Did you have stones?? It could be taht they have left something in the bile duct and its causing infection??

Liver cancer - very unlikely as it tends not to have any symtoms, both of them, highly unlikely as something would have shown up when you had the GB out (i was told this by my doctor).

My BIL suffers from chronic pancreatitis, but tbh, if your pancreas was causing this, there would have been things in the routine blood screen that would have shown up.

Has your doctor said what the next step is??

Also, my father had glandular fever - it caused a hepatitis (enlarged liver) and he had the same symptoms as you did - so much that he couldnt eat. It went by itself.

Pheebe · 20/05/2008 17:52

Hi again lisa

Some people can still have gallbladder trouble even after its removed as some of the tubes are still there. Its possible thats what causing the problem. Has your GP referred you back to the hospital for this? I think it warrants further investigation, you may have another blockage.

As I said on your other thread it a HUGE leap from abnormal liver function tests to cancer especially as you've just been on strong antibiotics. Its still possible they are the culprit

Its pointless bandying possible diagnoses around, only your GP or consultant can sort this one out for you. Stay calm, speak with your doctors and go from there

(((hugs)))

FrannyandZooey · 20/05/2008 17:55

mine were elevated for a while for no apparent reason
it was never cleared up why this was
the doctor told me in the end I had somebody's syndrome which she said meant "you have elevated liver enzymes and we don't know why"

good luck with it - I know how worried I felt (I did used to be an alcoholic!) but try not to panic
if you have had viruses lately (or currently from sounds of it) that can affect it too

lucyellensmum · 20/05/2008 18:38

FWIW i phoned my DP in hysterics one day because i had convinced myself that my gall stones were pancreatic cancer. He phoned my doctor, who when he has stopped sniggering at yet another one of my neurotic turns - promptly phoned me and told me off!! HE told me to keep away from google, and that pancreatic cancer is RARE and he had only ever seen two cases and both of those were in really old people and that gallbladder pain is not indicative of this anyway.

I would be worried because worrying is what i do best, but i honestly think you are worrying over something and nothing. Go back to your GP and ask what they are going to do - they may well do nothing.

Elibean · 20/05/2008 19:38

LFTs can definitely go askew with viruses, even mild indigestion type ones, but I would ask GP to get me checked out for the hepatitis viruses, if I were you...simply because there is a fairly high incidence of people having one and not knowing about it.

I have had hepatitis C (and been treated for it and cleared it, ten years ago) and wouldn't have known I had it - unless I'd had my LFTs checked.

Probably nothing, but always good to play safe

Original poster
lisalisa · 22/05/2008 12:18

Thank you all. the docs have recommended an ultrasound of my liver tomorrow. From what you all say it sounds like there could be a multitude of other causes from the effects of hte antibiotics to glandular fever to Hep. Presumably none of thse causes would show up o nultrasound. Do you think it a bit premature to do ultrasound and should i ask GP to sound out these other options first?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 22/05/2008 12:20

My aunt had this. She's never been a drinker, either.

It was found she had contracted Hepatitis C after a blood transfusion - she had many, as she was hit by a car - in the early 70s.

On the whole, though, with treatment, she's doing very well.

Pheebe · 22/05/2008 13:07

Lisa, think the ultrasound is an excellent starting point given your history of gb removal and persistent pain. i'd defo go with it.
all the best hun, you know where we are if you need us

Pheebe · 23/05/2008 15:58

Hi Lisa

Hope you got on OK today

Phee

FluffyMummy123 · 23/05/2008 15:59

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FluffyMummy123 · 23/05/2008 15:59

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advicepleasemums · 23/05/2008 19:36

Please don't rush to thinking the worst.

My Ds was found to have MASSIVELY elevated ALT last year even the consultant was stunned but said often liver enzymes are out of range and no cause is ever identified. he muttered something about possibly being in response to an 'infection' but basically in the absence of any obvius illness he just said bting him back in six months we will re-test him. His Liver enzymes are now all normal!

In adults liver enzymes can be out of range fr sooooooo many reasons, most of which are transient. I think its just that the liver does so many complex jobs that it often has blips. Like others have said it could be medication (most likely) an infection or yes maybe some remnant of the gall bladder problem. Please try not to worry though!

FluffyMummy123 · 24/05/2008 17:16

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FluffyMummy123 · 24/05/2008 17:17

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tab · 25/05/2008 11:45

sorry icod I wasnt sure if you were pregnant as well. There is a condition in pregnancy which is due to the liver malfunctioning. Potentially harmful to baby but goes away after birth.

Original poster
lisalisa · 27/05/2008 13:16

Thanks everyone - doc now wants to repeat liver functino tests at end of week rather than do ultrasound. MMMmm galundular fever - sometimes I feel ok ( about 90%) and sometimes absolutely terrible. Does that fit profile?

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 01/06/2008 13:32

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girlnextdoor · 01/06/2008 13:42

i had glandular fever in my late 20s and was off work for a month and felt utterly crap for 6 months after- sweating at night, tired and no energy.

I have also had liver inflammation as a result of drugs which took several months to right itself- the scores were off the scale.

FluffyMummy123 · 02/06/2008 16:58

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