Blood tests - liver function?

[anchovies]

Had ++protein and raised bp yesterday at my hospital ante-natal so they sent off bloods. I also have a rash and itching on my stomach.

Midwife came today and bp was better but had ++glucose and +protein!

Message on answerphone today saying I need to go back to hospital on monday to have liver function repeated due to an abnormal result (presume the rest of the blood results were ok). Does anyone know what this could mean?

Are they worrying about obstetric cholestasis, do you think? It sounds like it, to be honest.

I mean, it sounds like that's what they're worrying about, not trying to diagnose it online, honest!

They are probably testing for obstertic choletasis, which is a liver condition in pregnancy.
here some info on it.

LFT's would be a test for OC, which is proabaly what they are looking for (LFT's would show high ALT and AST levels).
However, itching on stomach and a rash is not a common presentation for OC - itching is usually on extremities and there is rarely a rash, though the skin can appear inflamed and dry simply because of the scratching sufferers do.

How pregnant are you? OC is not a danger to you, and is not a danger to your baby before about 36 weeks, and even then is easily manageable once diagnosed.

Thanks for the info, my itching doesn't sound like obstetric cholestasis though does it? Am not going to worry about it anyway, can't be that bad if they reckon it can wait til monday!

I had OC and believe me, itchy stomach was NOT the problem

I used to scratch the soles of my feet and palms of my hands till I BLED!

Here's hoping you get sorted Monday

marybs its so good to hear someone who suffered the same as me i had it on both pg and didnt realise just how rare it was i itched everywhere but never got a rash.
I think your levels should be about 7 any higher and they will ask to see you hth

In hindsight I had OC with all three pregnancies, wasn't untill the last pregnancy that it was diagnosed tho'.I had felt so ill in my life and used to scrape the soles of my feet and pals of my hands until they bled. Hope everything goes ok with your blood test but if it is OC at least you will get the correct treatment.

carly82 - 7 is the normal level for the bile acid test, not the AST and ALT that are tested in LFT's. Normal there is between 10-40 (I think -it's been 22 months since I had to worry about mine being in the 400's!)

Before you let them dianose you with it, ask for bile salts to be tested as this is more definitive than bile acids

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, itching on stomach is no worse and defo no problems with hands or feet. Will report back after tomorrow!