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MedHelp Member's Question

Liver Function

by cali, Jun 09, 2001 12:00AM
I am a woman in my late 40's.  I had a complete physical at the end of Feb. and my thyroid and liver functions were elevated.  Thyroid has been dealt with.  My question is liver functions. I don't know what they mean, but my liver was 70-40 and 156-40.  Recently I've had terrible cramping and deep bruising like pain in my lower left side.  Nothing has been found, but my blood test indicated that my liver functions were worse 170-51 and 264-50.  I do drink.  Approximately 2-3 beers a day.  Some days more and some days none at all.  I'm going for a abdominal CT in 2 days. Do these elevated funtions mean I have liver disease or cirrosis?
Member Comments (11)

by Thomas, Jun 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: cali
Alcohol will cause elevated liver functions and so will tylenol or medications with tylenol) like Vicodin or Percocet). It goes without saying that combining them makes the effect that much worse. You may only find an answer to your question by discontinuing all alcohol and (if you're using it) tylenol, then, after, say, a month, getting tested again and comparing the results. Alcohol's harmful effects on the liver are well established - same with tylenol. Recently, there have been some stories in the newspapers about people dying from liver failure after combining the two. Of course, different people have different sensitivity levels to these substances. You may be one of the "unlucky" ones who are very sensitive to the effects of drugs on the liver.

by cali, Jun 09, 2001 12:00AM
Thanks Thomas!  Appreciate your comments!

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Jun 10, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cali
First of all, I suffer from chronic liver disease but am in no way qualified to interpret your numbers. Using Tylenol before a blood test can really throw the results off for example. Ditto with alcohol.



A lot of people with liver disease have a problem with blood sugar levels(diabetes)so I would check that out. The liver is such an important organ that when it starts to fail, everthing else starts to fail along with it.



As far as the lower left side pain goes, I have that problem too. It can get pretty bad at night and with me it's usually a gas problem. The pain that really concerns me occurs in my upper right side and back. When the gallbladder or pancreas get inflamed, the pain is like no other I've experienced!



The liver has the ability to regenerate if you are kind to it.  Good luck and take care of yourself,  J.B.

by Thomas, Jun 10, 2001 12:00AM
To: cali
lisen to my friend, J.B. He has, unfortunately, had a lot of experience with "liver issues" and would know if anyone would.

by Milo, Jun 10, 2001 12:00AM
Liver trouble is one of my worries now, due to excessive consumption of acetaminophin in Fioricet & other meds... I had a complete blood workup done & will get the results soon, so we'll see. Fortunately I drink very rarely. One time I stupidly drank wine w/Fioricet -- and for some reason I threw up, which is probably the best thing that could have happened. Thomas, I take your warnings about mixing alcohol & acetaminophin very seriously now! And you're right, the dangers of acetaminophin are not publicized nearly as much as they should be.

J.B., if you don't mind my asking, what caused your liver disease? I'm trying to take precautions against it. I hope you are doing well. -- Milo

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Jun 11, 2001 12:00AM
To: Milo
I've had hepatitis A,B and now C. I've probably had Hep C since 1972 when I recieved a blood tranfusion while serving in the military. I was also a heavy drinker for years and was addicted to morphine which I used IV. About six years ago I started abusing Lortab and Vicodin which has a lot of Tylenol content. I'd literally wash them down with straight Vodka and go on about my business.



That's basically my "war story" in a nutshell. In spite of repeated warnings from my doctors about my alcohol and drug use, I continued this abuse up until I got really sick. Talk about insanity, huh? I think that Thomas and several others here can relate to my mindset. I used to dread WD's and now, due to liver failure, I feel like I'm in the throes of withdrawal every day...you get that sick!  J.B.

by Milo, Jun 11, 2001 12:00AM
To: J.B.
I'm sorry you are having to go through so much misery. I can only begin to imagine how rough these repeated illnesses and current liver problems must be. I have been vaccinated against B, and am in the process of vaccination for A. But I know none of these shots will help a bit if I continue to use too much Tylenol. So I will definitely keep what you've said in mind to help me resist temptation in the future. I wish you well & will see you on this forum later. Thanks, Milo

by Milo, Jun 14, 2001 12:00AM
I was completely paranoid because along with a cholesterol test, my doctor ordered a liver function profile. I thought, oh no, I've screwed up my liver with too much Tylenol. My mother, God love her, reminded me that patients taking Lipitor & other cholesterol meds are periodically checked for liver function. Since I was just upped from 5 mg to 20 of Lipitor, I'm sure that's the reason. What evil tricks our minds play on us someimes! -- Milo

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Jun 15, 2001 12:00AM
To: Milo
I really believe that you are in good shape so don't go getting all hysterical on us.



If they ever tell you that a liver transplant, then it's time to get deeply concerned. Until then, just live like normal and be kind to youself...everything in moderation. Stay away from fast food places. They could kill you! Have a good weekend,  J.B.

by Milo, Jun 15, 2001 12:00AM
To: J.B.
Just wanted to let you know that yes, the liver function is fine & the test purely routine. My mind tends to leap to the worst possibility in almost all cases! I thank you for your concern & will keep you in my thoughts & prayers -- Milo