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Welcome to the Gastroenterology Forum! 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.
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| Laurie_ski 7/1/2003 | . | Hi, I have no symptoms (feel fine), but two recent bloodtests have revealed elevated GGTP, AST, ALT and Alkaline Phosphatase. I'm a 35 year old female. Excellent personal and family health history. 5 foot 7...141 pounds. Light to moderate drinker (one beer a day). Just had a baby a few months ago. Lifetime history of low blood pressure, but had quite high blood pressure on the day I delivered my son and a few weeks afterwards. Kidney stones in Nov of last year. Medications currently taking daily: 5 Micrograms Synthroid and a prenatal multivitamin. Recently tested negative for Hep B and Hep C. April 18th bloodwork: GGTP: 111, AST: 63, ALT: 82 AP: 151 June 19th bloodwork: GGTP: 120, AST: 82, ALT: 188, AP: 169 June 26th bloodwork: Iron, coagulation and anti-mitochondrial are all fine. Anti Nuclear Antibody: 1/320 I'm scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound next week. Doc says he needs more info but thinks it might be cholestasis. My question: I have read a LOT in these forums so I know the many diseases that elevated liver enzymes can indicate. Please don't list all of them for me! :) I'm looking for a subset of that list.....a list of things that it could be, BASED ON MY PERSONAL BLOODWORK, not on just a generic "elevated enzymes" list of possibilities. And/or it would be very helpful to tell me what "high liver enzyme diseases" that I can rule out at this point. For instance, doc said that I don't have hemochromatosis since my iron looked fine. He was only willing to chat with me on the phone for a couple of minutes, though, which is why I'm seeking your expertise. Thank you very much! |
| Forum-M.D.-KYP 7/2/2003 | Laurie_ski | Hello - thanks for asking your question. Erin has nicely summarized the causes below and I agree with her assessment. One comment about the ultrasound. With the history of alcohol, fatty liver should also be considered. This can be seen on an ultrasound and could be a possibility why your enzymes are elevated. Hyper or hypo thyroidism can elevate liver enzymes, so make sure that your synthroid dose is appropriately controlling your TSH. A rare cause would be Wilson's disease and can be checked with a ceruloplasmin level. This is unlikely, but is a treatable liver disease. If all the tests are not-revealing, I would repeat the tests off alcohol, and consider a liver biopsy if the enzymes remain greater than two-fold elevated (i.e. greater than 80). Followup with your personal physician is essential. This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case. Thanks, Kevin, M.D. |
| GI.PA 7/1/2003 C1 | . | Ok...I'll take a shot at this, being a very common referal to our neck of the woods. First your transaminases are mildly elevated suggesting a low grade inflammation of the liver. This would argue against an acute liver disease (such as drug induced hepatitis or Hep A). Viral studies for Hep B and C were negative, scratch them off the list. Your normal coagulation studies suggest normal liver functioning making severe liver dysfunction unlikley. A sonogram is a good way to image the liver but will mostly likely show a normal liver with normal echotexture, but can help rule out the scary stuff (liver cancer). Things that pop out. You have a moderate elevated ANA making me suspicious for autoimmune hepatitis. I would approach this with more lab work (anit-smooth muscle antibody, anti-LKM, immunogloblulins) and a liver biopsy (gold standard for diagnosis. Your demographics (woman, 30-40's) fits for this disease. Other possibilities: Celiac sprue ( a strange, and sometimes asymptomatic gluten allergy) can be test for by endomysial antibody) and your known thyroid disease being a little out of wack (a simple thyroid panel would suffice). Hope this helps..! Erin Gastro-Physician Assistant (GI.PA) This answer is no substitue for real medical advice. Personal follow-up with your physician is essestial for adequate diagnosis and treatment reconmendations. |
| laurie_ski 7/1/2003 C4 | . | Thanks, Erin, that was very helpful! |
| laurie_ski 7/2/2003 C5 | . | Thanks, Kevin MD...very helpful! |
| tealeaves 8/9/2003 C6 | . | I have a similar situation. I am 29 years old, do not drink alcohol, had a baby three months ago. I had high blood pressure on the day of delivery. I had severe itching with no rash for two weeks preceding delivery. I now have no symptoms, but have had increased liver enzymes since delivery. I am also on Synthroid, (have been for 5 years). I get an abd ultrasound tomorrow. I wonder if being on Synthroid contributes to liver problems during pregnancy?? | [Thread closed to new comments] |
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