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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Father has 928 AST and 9.9 Bilirubin
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Father has 928 AST and 9.9 Bilirubin
by Kelgul, Dec 26, 2001 12:00AM
Hello, my father is a fairly health 64 year old with exception of being about 30 pounds overweight for approx 25 years. Blood is controlled with medication 12/20/01 bp = 126/84 pulse strong.
Over three months he has lost 30-40 pounds, appetite has decreased significantly. He started appearing jaundice early 11/01 and upon returning from a trip to Aruba in mid Dec. eyes and skin were distinctly yellow. GP initially thought Hepatitis. All Hep tests and Mononucleaosis test negative although AST 928 and Bilirubin 9.9. One week later AST still in 900's and Bilirubin 8.8. My father is not a heavy drinker maybe 3 glasses of wine per week, but consumed several rum and cokes per day on Aruba trip. In mid October was prescribed Vioxx but subsequent red globs in urine caused him to stop taking. Since Vioxx still has red globs in urine particularly bad when standing. He not a regularl tylenol user although takes occassionally for arthritis type of mild pain from old football knee injury.
Any suggestions on possible causes and treatment? He is certain, emotionally, it is cancer and he is dying, so determining cause and treatment is of utmost importance to me and my family.
Thank you for a prompt response, if possible.
Over three months he has lost 30-40 pounds, appetite has decreased significantly. He started appearing jaundice early 11/01 and upon returning from a trip to Aruba in mid Dec. eyes and skin were distinctly yellow. GP initially thought Hepatitis. All Hep tests and Mononucleaosis test negative although AST 928 and Bilirubin 9.9. One week later AST still in 900's and Bilirubin 8.8. My father is not a heavy drinker maybe 3 glasses of wine per week, but consumed several rum and cokes per day on Aruba trip. In mid October was prescribed Vioxx but subsequent red globs in urine caused him to stop taking. Since Vioxx still has red globs in urine particularly bad when standing. He not a regularl tylenol user although takes occassionally for arthritis type of mild pain from old football knee injury.
Any suggestions on possible causes and treatment? He is certain, emotionally, it is cancer and he is dying, so determining cause and treatment is of utmost importance to me and my family.
Thank you for a prompt response, if possible.
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I am not a doctor, but it sounds like your father has a liver problem.
If I were you....I would request a CT SCAN or an Ultrasound (or both) to look for physical changes in his liver.
A CT Scan ("cat scan") or Ultrasound would detect cirrhosis (scar tissue) or cancer.
They are both non-invasive and painless procedures, and are routinely used diagnose mystery liver problems.
A GP may not be the best doctor for him.
My suggestions to you (if this were my father, here's what I'd do):
1. Ask for a referral for a Gastroenterologist
2. Ask for a CT Scan or Ultrasound of his liver
If they find liver problems, they will most probably tell him to never drink any alcohol again....and they may limit what medicines he's allowed to take. (Certain medications, such as Tylenol can further irritate liver problems).
After years of learning, we know that there are many adults out there who can have this genetic disease but not present symptoms until later in life. My entire family was tested after my son was diagnosed and we discovered my mother has had the disease her entire life and never ever presented with any symptoms. She's fine thank goodness.
It's a rare genetic disease, affecting liver and/or lungs. HAve some liver function studies (blood tests) done on your father also, and ask for alpha-feta protein test also. AST and ALT will be elevated with this disease (as I'm sure it will with others).
Definitely needs to see a gastro immediately!