Elevated Enzymes Concern - pls help

[ksilv]

Hello -

I had a physical a couple of years ago and my liver enzymes were elevated. The Dr. did not seem concerned at all and said I should completely abstain from any type of alcohol for 30 days and re-test.(I am not a heavy drinker, but do enjoy on average a drink a day (beer or wine) with dinner...and sometimes 2 on a weekend night). I did not have a drop for 30 days and my enzymes returned to very close to normal and the Dr. let the matter drop......I have still always been a bit concerned.

Monday, I had another physical and everything turned out very well except for my enzyme levels; again!! I have not been drinking heavily and have not drank heavily since my college years about 8 years ago - like most college students!!

Anyway, here are my statistics:

ALT........100
GGT............95
Biliruben..........1.9

All other ezymes and parts of blood test were completely normal. Of course, I've been doing extensive research on the web and am scared to death....the problem is my physician does not seem concerned at all.........it was me that was more concerned and asked to see a specialist. He thinks that would be a good idea just to put my fears to rest, but I'm truly scared that there could be something wrong -

I am 29 years old
5'9"
185 lbs

I feel great and excercise, etc........no symptoms whatsoever except for the elevated count. I'm seeing a specialist this month but would love to hear anyone's thoughts.

Thanks so much!!

Ksilv

[ksilv]

Everyone has had very helpful comments, thank you.......I'm going to completely abstain from any alcohol for 5 weeks, test again, and then go see a gastro specialist. I have read every post on here and still cannot find any hint of what my combination of enzymes could point to -

ALT 100
GGT 95
Bilirubin 1.9

All of the posts say ALT and AST ONLY or AST above ALT. All my enzymes/tests were completely normal with the exception of the above three. I have come to the conclusion that since I have been a "regular" drinker for the last decade or so (averaging about 2 drinks/day......but having many times where I'd go days or weeks without anything, I'm more of a social or "with dinner" drinker)......that alcohol has to have something to do with it.

I know that ALT and GGT could suggest alcohol, but usually AST is elevated above the ALT, right?? My AST was normal? And what does any of this have to do with the elevated biliruben level? I'm just going nuts thinking about it every day and I can't see anyone until June 14th, again "not an emergency" according to my doc, I'm the one that forced him to let me see a specialist!!! Any and all further insights GREATLY appreciated.

Kenny

[leeac]

I'm from the northwest burbs but now living downtown...

[patsy56er]

Elevated liver enzymes can mean many things, from a 'fatty liver' to more serious conditions.  Do not let anyone put you off with the 'alcohol' business.  I have high enzymes because I have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Auto-Immune Hepatitis, and I was only a social drinker.  The minute people hear any kind of cirrhosis they think I must be an alcoholic, but it's a misnomer because PBC is an auto-immune disease.  You are doing the best thing possible, seeing a specialist.  Any liver disease caught early is a non-emergency situation, there are so many advances and so many new drugs to help with most liver conditions that hitting the panic button is a waste of time. Good luck and keep us posted.

Patsy
DX 12/05 PBC/AIH

[Hudson]

Hi Kenny, small world then, as we lived in Dublin for all 8 years. I still miss it. We came to Chicagoland for my husband's job. We are about 40 miles west of the city, so we don't see much of Lake Michigan. lol.

Hudson

[ksilv]

I certainly will, as I really appreciate the comments of people who understand the impact of health related issues. I am from Boston but moved to Columbus 3 years ago for my job. We lived in Dublin for 3 years and just bought a house in Arlington in January......it is certainly growing on us although we really miss the Ocean.....at least you have Lake Michigan - a little more like the ocean than the Scioto River!!!!

Take care and Best Wishes,

Kenny

[Hudson]

Hey there, you won't believe this, but I am originally from Ohio and lived in Columbus for 8 years.

I was just like you, very worried about my "liver issue". But, your wife is right. It is not an emergency and I'm betting things are not serious. Try to relax as best you can.

I hope you post after your GI apppointment. Take care,

Hudson