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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Liver levels slow to normalize 3 months after gallbladder removal
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Liver levels slow to normalize 3 months after gallbladder removal
by slowrecovery, Apr 03, 2002 12:00AM
I was wondering if anyone else has had a prolonged recovery in which liver levels did not return to normal for up to 3 months after surgery. Am I just special? I'm a bit worried, since I still have some right side discomfort too. Here's my story.
I'm a 35 year old male. I had an accute gallbladder attack the day after Christmas. I turned yellow and my billirubin shot up to 12.0, seemingly overnight. In the hospital, I had the gallbladder removed and had two ERCPs to clear the common bile duct. I also had the sphincter (odi?) cut to allow for further clearing of the duct. My numbers have been consistently improving, but it has been 3 months, and they still aren't normal. At their height my readings were
Billi total 12.0
ALT 900s
AST 500s
Latest readings after 3 months recovery
Billi total 1.1
Billi direct 0.3
ALT 72
AST 28
The ALT had been 47 a month ago and went back up. I'm still having daily RUQ discomfort. My GI doc threatened a liver biopsy last month, but held off. I'm sure he'll go for one next month is the levels still haven't normalized. Should I be worried with marginal numbers like this? I have been screened negative for Hep A, B, C by blood test. That leaves some scary prospects if I have a chronic condition (auto-immune HEP, cholangitis, etc). The Doc says it is very doubtful I still have blockage. I've been depressed that this isn't resolving.
Can anyone else relate?
Thanks,
longrecovery
I'm a 35 year old male. I had an accute gallbladder attack the day after Christmas. I turned yellow and my billirubin shot up to 12.0, seemingly overnight. In the hospital, I had the gallbladder removed and had two ERCPs to clear the common bile duct. I also had the sphincter (odi?) cut to allow for further clearing of the duct. My numbers have been consistently improving, but it has been 3 months, and they still aren't normal. At their height my readings were
Billi total 12.0
ALT 900s
AST 500s
Latest readings after 3 months recovery
Billi total 1.1
Billi direct 0.3
ALT 72
AST 28
The ALT had been 47 a month ago and went back up. I'm still having daily RUQ discomfort. My GI doc threatened a liver biopsy last month, but held off. I'm sure he'll go for one next month is the levels still haven't normalized. Should I be worried with marginal numbers like this? I have been screened negative for Hep A, B, C by blood test. That leaves some scary prospects if I have a chronic condition (auto-immune HEP, cholangitis, etc). The Doc says it is very doubtful I still have blockage. I've been depressed that this isn't resolving.
Can anyone else relate?
Thanks,
longrecovery
Member Comments (2)
by Araine, Apr 03, 2002 12:00AM
Has your liver itself been checked? Bilirubin counts being out is jaundice - also can be hepatitis. Check it out.
by Kiagirl98, Apr 03, 2002 12:00AM
To: slowrecovery
We are in the same boat! i had my gallbladder removed in 97, 21yrs of age. this past Oct. my liver enzymes were high dr checked due to illness and weight loss. Became almost normal, then went back up again, during that time I have had major weight gain. Had ultrasound to check the duct for blockage, normal, blood work after blood work normal, xray said slightly inlarged heart, EKG normal, echo normal, ct scan normal, i had all the blood work for the autoimmune diseases, copper and iron overload and everything is normal. I see a liver specialist tomorrow in Cleveland Clinic, They are ranked no.1 from what I am hearing, hopefully I can get more info on what is going on. I am sure a liver biopsy is next. RUQ pain here too and Prevacid is not helping chest pains anylonger :o( Good Luck and God Bless
by sly58, Mar 24, 2008 02:12PM
A related discussion, liver dysfunction was started.
