obstetric cholestesis...how high is too high.

[mumatron]

had my bilen acid levels back today and they were 8.1, mw said they would only act if they go over 14. is that right?

have an appt with my comsultant on 11th nov so will ask for repeat bloods to be taken.

just wondered what levels others were at when they were 1st tested.

am almost 33 weeks if that makes any difference,.

and can what you eat before the test have an effect?

i have just been googling, and it says results can depend on fat intake?

I just looked back over my (facebook) notes and my bile levels were 81 when they first tested and they should be 7 so 8.1 isn't really all that big a rise. When are they repeating the bloods?

81!! and theres me fretting over 8.

i'm going back on the 11th and i see the mw on the 15th so i'll make sure one of them do it.

did you have your baby early due to the oc?

I was booked for section the day before he came naturally (at 38 weeks to the day!)

However, my hospital weren't used to someone with levels as high as mine - i had waited 2 weeks as i thought it was normal pregnancy itching

Have they diagnosed OC? Or waiting for repeat bloods?

I did have added complications not related to the OC (anterior grade IV placenta Previa) which made the hospital a bit unsure what to do for the best really.

Up to 14 is normal, though if you have typical OC symptoms, they should take into account bile acid levels of 10 or more (10-13 is considered borderline).

It's good to get a normal level test result first actually - I got seen by the DAU doctor and tentatively diagnosed on the basis of my BA levels jumping from 7 to 12 in one week (with typical symptoms). He reckoned the fast rise was a good sign it was OC and he was right - my next BA level a week later was 18 despite having started meds already. I get last week's test result at my MW appointment tomorrow so will see if my BA levels have continued to rise despite the Urso.

There's no known issues until BA levels get over 20 and then it's just increased risk of meconium in the waters as far as research can tell. OC gets really risky with BA levels of 40 or more.

If it's caught earlier, there's more of a chance the Urso can help keep your levels safely low (though I'm finding that that actually means they're less sure what to do with me ).

I don't think the fasting test is done in the UK or outside of research, so I wouldn't worry about food before the test TBH.

If symptoms continue, your BA levels and LFTs should be checked every 7-10 days. One normal result doesn't mean a lot. So make sure they keep on checking your bloods.

i'm defo going to make sure i'm tested again soon. the piriton didn't really make a difference. but the itching is flutuating a bit day on day.

thanks for the info though ladies.