High Liver Enzymes

[Curious2]

I've had elevated enzymes first noticed in November 2001.  Since then, they have doubled.  Had liver biopsy, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy still no answer why they are elevated.  Also have GERD - taking Nexium BUT started just recently. What should be the next step?  Doctor puzzled as am I.

[friend19]

you are definately not the only one with this problem im writing this from the hospital where my best friend is going through the same exact problem. they cant seem to find whats wrong at all . it is good to know thta others are suffering from the same affliction and we're not just getting the run around like we thought. she also has elevated enzymes has pain in her rib cage and has turned jaundice. hopefully we;ll find out something tomarrow after her colonoscopy and 2nd biopsy. let me know if they find a name for this craziness.

[bsills]

Do you mean CPK enzymes?

[basket lady]

I have had elevated liver enzyme levels for about 2 years.  The strange thing is that the levels become elevated and then they will go down.  I have had more than one doctor find these elevated enzymes.  I have had my gall bladder removed (in 1993) and have had numerous ERCP's.  I also have been having RUQ pain off and on since 1993.  I am experiencing RUQ pain now.  I have an appointment with a liver specialist, but wanted to know if anyone else has this problem?

[BEENERS]

I just found out that my liver enzymes are high too..I don't know what the doctor considers high but I was wondering what it is from and what I can do to lower it.

[Stickleyfan5]

Are elevated liver enzymes really common? I am amazed at how much information there is here. I thought I was the only one.

I was alerted by the Red Cross after a blood donation 10 years ago. My alt is 125, ast is slightly high, and my ldh is around 400. I feel perfectly fine and healthy; I'm a marathon runner with very good health and exercise habits.

I sometimes have a glass of wine with dinner but am not much of a drinker.

Kathleen

[emdel]

I found out that I had high liver enzymes in Oct/Nov.  Immediately I made an appointment to see my General Practice doctor.  He ran an unbelievable amount of blood tests and did a physical exam of my abdomen and ordered an ultrasound.  The ultrasound came back normal and most blood tests were normal except for my liver enzymes.  Finally I gave up and quit going until the last couple of weeks when I started cramping and decided to go to see my OBGYN.  He found that I had Poly-cystic ovary syndrome.  I am being treated for that, but my OBGYN is still in the process of testing for polyps, endometriosis and diabetes.  When he tested for liver function, he saw that my ALT was 185 and my AST was also high, but not quite as high as the ALT.  My GP said that he was guessing that my liver problems were just fatty liver.  Yes, I am overweight.  I am about 50 pounds overweight, I don't drink or smoke and I am not terribly inactive as I have 2 small children.  During my last pregnancy I had pregnancy induced high blood pressure.  Other than these things, I am clueless!  Please give me some guidance.  I am trying to piece a puzzle together and am LOST!  I just don't have the time with 2 children to spend hours at a doctor's office every week.

[barney2]

my partner was diagnosed with pneumonia 3 weeks ago, hospitalised for a few days then after sevral blood tests its was said that he had a liver abnormality but not sure what yet, also his back is killing him it hursts so much he cant stand or sit without such severe pain, xrays tomorrow but i am so worried as i dont know if it can be treated.
any advice please

[basket lady]

just read barney2's comments.  I have pain in my back also, upper right quadrant.  It goes through my front to my back.  Liver enzymes have been elevated again, but this is off an on.  Don't know what is going on.  Hope your partner is feeling better.

[ozarks]

My friend is in a quandry..he has been to two hospitals in the past 3 weeks, has had a gallbladder surgery, the found a bad liver, fatty liver...he was running high temps. before the gallbladder surgery, up to 104 now 3 weeks later he is running a temp. again!  I am in disbelief...is there another case like this one? What should I do for him?  Thank you.

[Stickleyfan5]

Okay, I am wondering about this. What is fatty liver?

The lady with kids said she was 50 lbs overweight and I am 15. I am very active but I do have a little extra weight.

I lost 20 lbs when I started running 3 years ago. My liver enzymes have not changed. is this something I should consider? Is there a weblink anyone knows of with especially good info?

Kathleen

[nanabolini]

I have elevated liver enzymes.  There are a lot of causes, apparently.  Here is a site that may answer some of the questions here....http://www.underwriting.co.za/Medical%201/Hepatology/raised_liver_enzymes.htm

[MOMMA'S BABY]

I also have elevated liver enzymes.  They keep going up and down.  I have had numerous blood tests and ct scans.  All the scans came back normal.  Now we are into ultrasounds.  They have checked for hepatis, thyroid problems, epstein barr virus, mono...just about everything.

I am working with a liver specialist now and he did bloodwork last week.  The enzymes were back to normal, but now my bile acid level is elevated to 27.3, however I can't seem to find out what a "normal" bile acid level is.  Does anyone have any ideas or what elevated bile acids levels may indicate?

My enzymes problems were discovered during a routine physical and I had never heard of such until then.  I am amazed at the numerous postings on here about elevated enzymes.  I will pray for us all.  I just want to be diagnosed.  I don't like the NOT KNOWING!  Good luck to all of you and any information you can offer me will be much appreciated.

[basket lady]

MOMMA'S BABY:  My liver specialist has prescribed URSO for bile acid problems and itching.  I finally got my diagnosis.  Secondary biliary cirrhosis, from my bile ducts being traumatized during surgery and so many ERCP's.  Like you, my enzymes were up and then down then up again.  I have great hope for this medication to work.  I will let you know.

[MOMMA'S BABY]

Thanks for the information.  I will definitely check into that.  You mentioned something about itching, what kind of itching?  Like a rash with an itch and where did you itch?

I am new to this site so I don't know all the acronyms--what is URSO and ERCP'S?

Any idea what a normal bile acid level is?

Hope all goes well for you and thanks again.

[basket lady]

MOMMA'S BABY:  No rash with the itching, just uncontrollable itching.  It is on my arms, back and legs.  The URSO is a medication  called ursosiol which is actually a bile acid.  ERCP is short for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholaniopancreatography.  A scope is inserted into the mouth through out the system to the liver.  You are lightly sedated for this so it is not as bad as it sounds.  Also, if you have itching all over with no rash, have yourself checked for diabetes.  That was the first thing my doctors did.

[basket lady]

MOMMA'S BABY:  No rash with the itching, just uncontrollable itching.  It is on my arms, back and legs.  The URSO is a medication  called ursosiol which is actually a bile acid.  ERCP is short for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholaniopancreatography.  A scope is inserted into the mouth through out the system to the liver.  You are lightly sedated for this so it is not as bad as it sounds.  Also, if you have itching all over with no rash, have yourself checked for diabetes.  That was the first thing my doctors did.

[MOMMA'S BABY]

Thanks again for the info.  No rash/itching.  Had bloodwork again Saturday.  Should know the results today or tomorrow.  I really hope they don't have to go down my throat.  I watched my husband have that done for reflux problems and I nearly gagged just watching!

Will let you know the results of the bloodwork and then we will see what WE can diagnose!

Thanks.