Bile acids high at 17 weeks pregnant - cholecystitis?

[Abbie338]

Hi can anyone help please

I am 18 weeks pregnant but at 17 weeks I had my lfts done and other tests due to a illness that affected my liver last year (consultant is checking all was is ok for pregnancy)

got my results and my bile acids are higher than the normal range at 7.5. The midwife said they are not high enough for them to worry. (Consultant appointment is in 3 weeks) When I’ve read up it says this is a cause for concern. Does this mean it could be or lead to cholecystitis? My sister had it so I know I’m already higher risk for it. I have been itchy the past few days too.

I am really worried it’s being left and not monitored anymore :( scared it will affect baby.

Just to add I saw online anything 10 or over is a diagnosis I’m worried it’s reached that since my last bloods because of the itch I have

Try not to worry but call your midwife if itching is getting worse and you can't wait. It's unlikely to cause any harm until later on in pregnancy and by then it should be monitored, and you should be on medication if needed. I had it twice it's unpleasant but try not to worry.

@soggydigestives thanks for your response! yeah I might do that I am just worried as I am only 18 weeks and this is usually common in later pregnancy isn’t it :( when did yours start if you don’t mind me asking and what where your levels ?

I had ICP in my last pregnancy. I would push for weekly tests. The midwife probably meant it's not high enough to be danger to baby (levels over 100 are when you have to worry about having the little one early).

Remember that the tests aren't to be fasting tests anymore you have to eat before bile acid tests!

Look up the website icp support it is a great resource!

Itching isn't directly linked to how high bile acid levels are so don't stress yourself out x

With my first 6 years ago I complained to the midwife I was itching at 20 weeks. She told me it wouldn't be cholestasis because it was too rare and early!🤷 So I thought I was being dramatic, anyway it got worse and at around 30 weeks I mentioned it to a different midwife who checked and my levels were 17. I was induced at 37 weeks but guidelines are different now. Yes look up ICP online. You'll be fine just ask them to keep checking your levels, if you have a good consultant they will!

@PepsiMaxandPringleStacks Thanks I will try but the midwifes today told me nothing more is needed :( I’m worried as they don’t seem concerned but surely 7.5 isn’t great. I will try and see if my doctor will help. Thank you I will have a look x

@soggydigestives oh no that’s so bad how they dismiss it that’s what worries me 😩thank god you got them to re check! Did you take medication for it? I have another 3 weeks until consultant

7.5 is only slightly raised I wouldn't panic, just keep pushing for bloods, if only slightly raised maybe ask for them to be checked again in a fortnight for peace of mind?