Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

[Bella678]

Hi all.

Only 7 weeks pregnant and my palms are itching and some other areas. Have read that it could be a sign of Intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Usually this occurs in your 2nd or third trimester.

A little concerned and worried now. Obviously i will ring the midwife on Monday but my first appointment isn't until the 16th, so could wait until then.

Anyone else have any experience??

Hi!

I had this in my last pregnancy but I was around 39 weeks so the onset was really late!

This pregnancy they said there could be a high chance I get it again (or I may not have to wait)

So when they are aware of it which my midwife is this time around I had extra bloods done at 12 weeks (for bile acids) and then more at 20 weeks and then continually monitored.

It's definitely worth mentioning sooner rather than later. Evan ring the hosp as they could just bring you in and take your bloods to check the levels and then they may refer to a consultant like me this time. It is super early to already have it but I definitely think you should tell someone sooner rather than later!

Good luck!! X

@3rdtimemomma hi. Thanks for replying. I was thinking to leave it until the 16th when i have an appointment with the midwife/health visitor. So u think i should ring up on Monday and mention it sooner? Thanks again xx

Personally knowing what I know now definitely mention it sooner, ifs the itching has been that bad and you feel it may be a sign you need to speak to someone ASAP regarding it so you can get the right monitoring if it is it.

It may not be but it's better to be checked x

@3rdtimemomma thank u. It's not really bad but will mention it on Monday. 👍🏽

Got a blood test tomorrow 🤞🏽

I had my results back from 13 weeks and my bile acids were 6 which is ok for now.
I'm not actually sure what they class as normal or not I'm sure i read above 40 or something .

I need to read more into it but I also need to stop stressing over something that may not occur this time!

Good luck with results. When I had the bloods done at the hosp I got them back couple hours later I waited for the results x

@3rdtimemomma ICP support is a great resource and explains the expected levels and thresholds for when induction would be advised/recommended -
www.icpsupport.org/about_diagnosis.shtml

@3rdtimemomma a midwife is taking my blood tomorrow. She's only taking my blood for that test. Then having the other usual bloods on the 16th when i have my first booking appt. I will definitely ask how long the results will take. Xx

@KinderWild ahh great that's good to know thanks!

I had this I brought it up last week to my midwife and said she needed to check my liver function and if there was a problem they'd have to deliver the baby early I'm 36 weeks I had a blood test done so we will see the results

@whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho 😮 🤞🏽

I'm scared cos im only 7 weeks. Hope to god i dont have this cos its too early.

@Bella678 I have had itching all over my entire body for a long time now I allways feel like my skin is literally crawling it's the worst on a night and I can't even lay in bed I have to sleep on top of the quilt 😫 if you've got blood tests today you'll find out really sound and can put your mind at ease I'm sure you'll be fine praying for you 🙏

*soon

@whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho
Do u remember when yours roughly started?
Thanks for the positive thinking xx

@Bella678 I'm 36 weeks now and I've had all over itching for like 2-3 months

Started from around 6 7 months xx

@3rdtimemomma how did you get your results? I started itching all over (except for hands and feet!) at about 13 weeks and had a blood test. The Dr said my results were "in the normal range" but didn't tell me what they were so not sure if they're well within or just within.

Still itchy now (19 weeks) so they've sent me for another blood test. It doesn't mention bile acid though... should I be asking for that? It says Full Blood Count, Liver Function Test, Electrolytes and Creatinine. From what I could tell the risks of ICP are pretty low if it is diagnosed and managed and there's not a lot they can do until 3rd trimester anyway - just a bit worried and want to make sure I'm getting the right tests in case that is what is causing all this itchiness!

I had them published on my notes app about 5 days after my 12 week scan/bloods etc.

The link on here with the ranges is very helpful as it seems so complex!!

I haven't had any itching as yet and didn't get it until 39 weeks last time but these extra tests and consultant referral are precautionary which I'm glad that they are able to track it just in case!

I didn't realise how rare it is! It seems to be more common but percent wise it seems really rare!!

Hope everyone's results are ok!! X

I think liver function is to do with the bile acids so that's part of it , correct me if I'm wrong anyone but I think it's the same test x

The liver function test is separate to the bile acid test. I think liver function includes ALT but you also need the bile acid test.
The second leaflet on this page, section diagnosis is helpful in explaining it

www.icpsupport.org/leaflet.shtml

Results came back. Bile acid test showed a level of 2. Which they've said is low/normal. They would like to do a repeat in 2 weeks. She said the itching could just be hormones related. So im relieved 😃

@Bella678 that's great news!

I have some more to have done too at 20 weeks ( I have no symptoms it's just precautionary due to having it in previous pregnancy)

Hopefully levels stay the same, worried if they start to rise by the next bloods that they will continue to rise ... anyway must stop thinking negative and just concentrate on the here and now!

Really good news for you though! ☺️

@3rdtimemomma 🤞🏽🤞🏽 for u.

I was convinced my results were going to be high and i even thought that would mean twins 🤣 serves me right for reading google.

Hands are itching now 😩 so i cant explain it.