Re: Elevated Liver Enzymes

Posted By HFHSM.D.-DM on May 04, 1998 at 11:43:27:

In Reply to: Elevated Liver Enzymes posted by Mike on April 29, 1998 at 15:51:52:






My wife is 38, had Hepatitis from a blood transfusion when she was 21, and recently tested very high for liver enzymes. She has given blood and has had her blood tested over the intervening yours and it always came back OK. Why would her enzymes spike like that?



  

Dear Mike:
I find your wifes story extremely interesting.  Apparently she had an acute hepatitis after a blood transfusion 17 years ago but then seemed well.  You note that she often gave blood and was never told there was a problem but that recently she was told her enzymes spiked up.  
We may be putting the cart in front of the horse here.  What your wife really needs is a diagnosis.  The two most common forms of transfusion related hepatitis in the US are hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  Both of these viruses can give chronic (lasting years to decades) infections and often patients are without symptoms.  We have excellent tests for both these viruses and it should be relatively easy to determine if she is infected with one of these viruses.  Once, we have this information, we can certainly say much more about your wifes situation.  If your wife, has neither of these infections than a whole different list of possibilities has to be considered.  
I can certainly tell you that with either chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections, liver enzymes can vary enormously over time and we often dont know why.  Sometimes spikes in the enzymes can be explained by something as simple as excess alcohol or acetaminophen (Tylenol) use but most of the time we cant explain it.  I can also tell you that with both of these conditions, liver enzymes can remain normal for long periods of time and then shoot up at periodic intervals.  
I sense that you are frustrated that your wife developed a transfusion related hepatitis 17 years ago and now has elevated liver enzymes.  My sense is that you feel that her current problem shouldnt be related to her problem in the past but you are worried that this is the case.  I think you and your wife really deserve some answers relatively quickly about what is going on with her condition and I think it should be straightforward to find out if she has hepatitis B or hepatitis C or neither.  
It should be fairly easy to start the evaluation where you are.  Once you get more information, I can probably provide you with more additional information.   If you dont feel, youre getting the help you need or want to contact us directly at Henry Ford, we would encourage you to call us at [phone].
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  
I hope this information is helpful to you.