Husband's High then Normal Liver Enzymes ... is it beyond damaged?

A few months ago, my husband's liver enzymes were very high.  On a more recent blood test, the enzymes are back to normal ranges even though he has not cut back on his VERY excessive vodka drinking.  I have heard that a possible reason for this is because his liver may be going into irreversible damage ... it is unable to cleanse itself any longer.  Does anyone have any information on this?  I am very worried.  Thank you in advance.

[Beaker]

I would make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.  If he is an alcoholic he needs to get that straighten up before the doctor can do anything for his liver.  My advice to you is to call Alanon and get some help for yourself.  Many of our family members have gotten to this point because we have enabled them to do this to themselves and us.  It may seem cruel but now is the time you should be your toughest, dig your heels in, and don't budge on what you expect of him.  I am pretty sure this is not what you want to hear but you will be doing him a favor in the long run by standing your ground.  Help him, by helping yourself first.  My prayers are with you!

[imkindly]

Beaker gave you the best advice, I really hope that you follow it.

As for your question --- high liver enzymes reflect damage actively going on. (Not damage DONE.)

(My husband has end stage cirrhosis, is waiting for a liver transplant....and has 'normal' liver enzymes.)

[Very worried wife]

Thank you all for your comments.

I was surprised to read that your husband's liver enzymes were normal even though he is in end stages of cirrhosis.  I did not know that.

What I am wondering is ... did his enzymes start out as elevated when he was in the beginning stages of cirrhosis ... then go back down to 'normal'?

I do indeed need to get some emotional help for all of this.  His excessive drinking has caused so many other problems for us, but he doesn't seem to care!!! 16+ ounces of vodka per day (his own admission ... but I think that's a conservative number).

[imkindly]

My husband went into liver failure very suddenly in August 2000.
(After a botched kidney stone operation).
We weren't monitoring anything before that.

We started seeing a hepatologist in November 2000, and he got my husband evaluated for the liver transplant waiting list in Feb. 2001.
At that time, my husband's numbers (enzymes) were only slightly elevated.
We were told that his liver was functioning at 10%, and his biggest problems were low albumin, low platelets, and high PT.

Since then (we've been on the transplant waiting list for 16 months now), my husband's enzymes have dropped into the normal range.
(But the biggest trouble is that his albumin and platelets have continued to drop).

My husband has decompensated end stage cirrhosis (meaning that he has ascites, varices, encephalopathy, etc.).

[imkindly]

I have two homepages for cirrhosis that you're welcome to visit (if you want)

http://groups.msn.com/CirrhosisSupportGroup

and

http://www.expage.com/cirrhosis

Both have info on cirrhosis and links to a messageboard.



(And for anyone else reading this-----All are welcome there-----but we do have one rule: No Spam & No soliciting.)

[Very worried wife]

Thank you for always taking time to help other's on this message board.

I just checked his most recent bloodwork.  Not a very comprehensive test ... I don't think that platelets were included in the test.

His MCV range should be 80-99 and his result was 111.
His MCH range should be 25.4-34.6 and his result was 37.6.
But the MCHC which I think is a combination of the two is in the proper range.
His Eosinophils range should be 0.0-5.0 and his result was 5.4.
His Lymphocytes range should be 24.0-44.0 and his result was 22.4.

In past bloodwork ... a while back ... his GGT range is 11-50 and his was at 74.
His BUN level was to be 7-23 and his was at 7.
His Creatinine should be 0.9-1.4 and his was at 0.8.
B/C Ratio should be 12.0-27.0 and his was at 8.8.
And even back then his MCV and MCH were both high.  His red blood count was low.

I will check out those web sites ... thanks so much.  And I wish you and your husband the best.

[Corpse]

I wake up every day, some days i can think straight, others i can't. 6 years of soaking up rum did this to me. I started drinking because I was bored. Well, now i am in end stage cirrhosis. Welcome to the grave. Got my box picked out and paid for. They will play Guns and Roses "November Rain" at my funeral.

Some other guy will probably give my daughter away at her wedding. wonder what she will wear to my funeral. I am a dead man. Worried wife, let your hubby read this note.

Look dude, you obviosly have someone who loves and cares for you. for me it is too late. maybe not for you. stop now and live.