What's next?

  : : To recap, two LFT's gave the following elevated results:
  : :                 9/15/98    11/18/98
  : : Total bilirubin 2.0        2.2
  : : SGOT (AST)      47         36 (now in "normal" range)
  : : SGPT (ALT)      142        74
  : : GGT             333        191
  : : Cholesterol     292        231
  : : Hepatitis B and C tests (done on the 9/15/98 bloodwork, only)
  : : were both negative.
  : : After 11/18/98 LFT results, doctor scheduled an Ultrasound to see
  : : if gallbladder stones were present. It was done around 12/1/98.
  : : The Ultrasound showed everything (on my right side) to be okay.
  : : Doctor said to abstain from alcohol completely (I seldom drink
  : : anyway, although I had been a few days before the first LFT),
  : : watch my fat intake, and have another LFT done second week of
  : : January. Does this sound like a proper course of action to you,
  : : or would you suggest some other actions.
  : : By the way, I am entirely asymptomatic, and have lost 20 lbs.
  : : (from 205 to 185 -- I'm 5'9", 44y.o. male) since 11/15/98 thru
  : : better eating habits and regular exercise (treadmill).
  : : Thanks for the help.
  : : Wayne
  : _____
  : Dear Wayne,
  : If the elevated liver tests are the result of alcohol use,, then the liver tests should normalize with abstention.  If liver tests remain elevated or if you want a definitivwe answer immediately, a liver biopsy should be performed.
  : This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
  : HFHSM.D.-rf
  : *keywords: liver tests, alcohol
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  As expected, diet and exercise resulted in a great improvement in ALMOST
  every test. Results from 1/13/99 bloodwork:
  Total bilirubin         2.3   (up from 2.0 and 2.2)
  AST                     24    (down from 47 and 36)
  ALT                     40    (down from 142 and 74)
  GGT                     59    (down from 333 and 191)
  Total cholesterol       155   (down from 292 and 231)
  HDL                     40    (up from 38)
  Cholesterol/HDL ration  3.9   (down from 7.68)
  Triglycerides           79    (down from 273)
  Its amazing what proper diet and excercise can do in two months.
  Everything is in the "normal" range except the total bilirubin. My doctor
  does not think I need to do anything more. Should I be concerned about the
  high bilirubin, or forget about it since everything else is normal, and I
  am asymtomatic?
  Thanks for your help. It has been very re-assuring.
  Regards,
  Wayne
    
_____
Dear wayne,
Congratulations on the clinical improvement with your lifestyle modifications.  There is a condition called Gilbert's disease in which the only abnormality is a slightly elevated bilirubin.  If your dr. thinks that is your diagnosis, then additional tests are not needed.  RE
Remember that good diet etc are required always to prevent future liver problems.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: Gilbert's disease
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