Undiagnosed liver problems

  : : I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, gilberts syndrome,trigeminal neuralgia, ulcerative esophagitis, and colitis, to name just a few.  I currently have lab tests of ANA 1:640  ACE level 43, ESR 30, ANFA  <10.  My LFT's of alkaline phosphatase and GGT are always abnormal and have been so for over 15 years. My doctors are baffled, I have had surgery for dislocating joints, hernias and incompetent cervix during pregnancy.  I currently get large blood blisters, mainly in my mouth and have numerous petechiae and spider naevus all over my body. The fibromyalgia lays me low, but I do not believe that I  am just "unlucky" and am currently researching immune disorders to try and get some answers. Do you have any ideas or suggestions, my doctor says that pathology results prove there is something wrong, but can't come up with a definitive diagnosis.
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  : Dear Maureen,
  : I read your e-mail with great interest and I have several thoughts regarding your gastrointestinal and liver problems.  The Gilbert's Disease is not the cause of your elevated liver tests.  The ulcerative esophagitis is most likely the result of acid reflux into your esophagus and does not represent a manifestation of autoimmune disease.  If you have been prescribed corticosteroids, it is possible that your esophagitis is the result of candida infection.  This possibility was probably excluded when you had the endoscopy that diagnosed the esophagitis.
  : I am interested in your diagnosis of colitis.  Do you have additional details regarding the specific nature of the disease process.  Colitis is a pathological term that means inflammation of the colon.  However, in clinical jargon the word colitis has taken on a broader meaning and is now used to refer to functional as well as organic diseases of the colon.  Again, it is possible that there is no connection between the colon and your other autoimmune problems.
  : Finally, your elevated alkaline phosphatase and GGT require additional evaluation.  Have you had an ultrasound of the liver?  Although the ultrasound test will provide some useful information, it will probably not provide a definite answer.  It may be appropriate to have a liver biopsy to make a specific diagnosis of the cause of your increased liver tests.
  : This information is provided for educational purposes only.  always consult your physician for specific medical problems.
  : HFHSM.D.-rf
  : *keywords: elevated liver tests, esophagitis, colitis
  : 0.3
  Boy have I made a mess of sending these queries to you. I am only new on the internet and  by mistake have posted another query to you titled "transaminitis", it has a more detailed history, I wasn't sure that this first query had got through.  I was diagnosed with colitis after a number of episodes of blood and mucous with bowel motions, usually lasting over a week.  I have had 2 colonoscopies, and a sigmoidoscopy that didn't show anything abnormal although these tests were performed a good couple of weeks after each episode.
   I had an exploratory on the liver about 15 years ago as my doctor though I might have had a tumour or choledocal cyst, but nothing was found and they removed my gallbladder in case that was where the problem was. I also have had liver biopsys, one about 10 years ago and one about 15 years ago that showed okay except for a predominance of kupfer cells and iron stones.
   When my enzymes peaked some of them were up to 500 and 600, but normally for me the alkaline phosphatase sits at around 123 and the GGT around 100, My doctor keeps a good check on the levels and these consistently go higher, up but for no reason, I am not a drinker and don't take much in the way of medication.  My gastroenterologis is currently checking me for something called sarcoidosis and I had tests for the ACE level, this came in at 43 when the upper limit at that lab is usually 30. Other than that the dilemna continues.
  I am very greatful for you taking the time to answer my query.
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Dear Maureen,
we would be interested to learn of your diagnosis when testing is complete
HFHSM.D.-rf