Liver Damage Concern

Hello everyone! I'm 21 years old. I admit I had abused myself with alcohol, fatty foods and others that contributed to my liver damage. It was during the time when I felt itch with no rash that triggered my to have myself cheked since it was really intense that I can't sleep at night. At first, it only occured when after I take a bath wherein I had an aversion to taking baths. But after a while, it still would itch even if I don't take a bath. My doctor diagnosed me with liver inflammation since my SGPT was really high and it was 142 U/L and my triglycerides was 340.45 mg/dL. Then my doctor asked me to take essentiale forte 3 times a day. During my medication, my itch became less and I was already able to sleep well. Then after a month, I went back to my doctor and my triglycerides was already normal which is from 340 to 129. Then my SGPT not yet normal but drastically lowered down from 142 to 44. Then my doctor said to stop the essentiale forte medication since it's already okay but I have to continue with my healthy diet. But after three days, the itch came back. . I thought I was already okay. So I was wondering maybe it was because of essentiale so I took it again but only once a day without my doctor's permit. And the itch became less again.

Question: Is itch a symptom of a more serious liver disease, not just an inflammation? Is it okay to take essentiale forte still? How long do I have to take medication before I can completely recover. I hope this isn't cirrhosis yet. I don't have any other symptom except for the itch. I'm just worried about the itch because it's very depressing. . I don't want to take the medication anymore so I want to know how long do I have to do this cause it stops the itch. Hope to get some answer here. Thanks!

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The raised liver enzymes could be due to fatty liver changes. If you have jaundice the itchiness could be due to this. Also, Itchiness of the whole body could be due to extreme dryness of the skin or due to jaundice. It could be due to iron deficiency anemia, liver and kidney disorders, thyroid disorders, polycythemia, diabetes and malignancies (cancer). It could also be due to certain medications and food. Others could be due to skin conditions like contact dermatitis and scabies. In contact dermatitis exposure to an irritant like a chemical or metal or anything you are allergic to, can cause rash and itching. Scabies infection is caused by a mite Sarcoptesscabiei, it burrows in the skin folds of hands and feet and causes intense itching mostly at night. Discuss these options with your doctor when you happen to meet him next time.

Hope this helped and do keep me posted.