Obstetric Cholestasis

[Snowdog37]

Has anyone been diagnosed with this? I’ve had severe foot and hand itching for a week now. Had blood tests on Tuesday that came back normal for my liver function tests and my bile acids came back at 11. The lab considers up to 19 normal. But from my reading most Drs consider 10+ to be indicative of OC. My Dr goes by the lab ranges though. So I’ve literally had to beg them to see me next week for a re test as the itching is getting worse and worse to the point I’m drawing blood and my poor feet look like I’ve exfoliated them with wire wool. It’s definitely not normal. Nothing helps, and now they’re so sore even cream hurts to put on. I feel like an idiot making a fuss over itchy feet but the complications of OC don’t bear thinking about so I’m determined to keep at my dr to keep looking into this so I can get treatment or induced early.

I've been massively itchy for weeks, had two blood tests but no sign of OC. Sometimes it is just itching caused by hormones. I was greatly helped by reducing frequency of washing and using cool water instead of hot.

Yes, I got the dreadful itching at around 30 weeks. I don’t remember my blood results, but they did indicate OC and I had to have weekly bloods done until 35 weeks, then twice a week (as they were getting worse). I’d had a previous section, so couldn’t be induced. A c-section was scheduled for 38+5, but in the end my liver function test results went haywire at 37 weeks and I had a planned section the following day. Baby was fine and all was well.

If you’re not happy with the course of action, push to talk to a consultant and get a date fixed for early delivery.

I've been recently diagnosed at 27/28 weeks. My bile acids were 15 (14 is considered ok in my hospital) and my LFT's were higher than they should be.
I've started weekly monitoring/bloods and the medication has reduced my levels and the itching (I only had 48 hrs of it) has eased a lot!

Definitely push for another blood test levels can change dramatically week on week.

There's a Facebook group ICP support have a nosey on there for other woman's experiences or ask your own question if you want.

I've been told they'll induce me at 37 weeks (I'm only 29 now) so pretty early.

The itching is horrible so I sympathise x

The itching really is the worst! I cabtvease it at all. Scratching feels sooooo good but then I break the skin and that hurts too! Hoping next week shows I do have it so that I can start on meds and be closely monitored. I’m so worried I’ll be blown off again and something bad will happen. I feel in my guts that I have it. This itching is so bad it can’t be normal.

It is worrying when you read up on it. I'm a bit more relaxed now as I know levels are ok and getting monitored regularly.

I suppose knowing your levels aren't too high is good but either way if you know it's not right they could be on their way up!
Just keep on at them and requesting bloods to keep an eye on you. Good luck x