Live Enzyme / Hepatitis

[jackty]

I am 40 and generally healthy.  However, I am a Hepatitis B carrier.

Recently I drank a spoiled soya milk and became ill.  I was very weak but there was no vomit or diarrhea, only dizziness and stuffiness in my stomach.  I had a dark (not black) stool once but doctor found trace of blood.  My RBC and HCT were low and high RDW.  But 2 weeks later, these tests went back to normal.  I have done 3 blood tests in 1 month.

However, at that time my ALT was at 71 but now it went up to 85.  I also noticed that even they are within the range, my AST and Alkaline Phosphatase went up from 36 & 64 to 43 & 89 respectively.

My Ferritin is 32 and Glucos Plasma random is 7.4 which is also out of range.  Ultra sound found my liver has some fat.  Sometimes I feel some pinching in my liver area.  But other than that I feel fine.  What could have gone wrong?  It seems to have all started from the time I drank that spoiled soy milk.

I don't drink or smoke.  I am taking Prevacid for "stomach ulcer" even though I don't think I have one.

[rthornton]

From my understanding, it is very unlikely that drinking spoiled milk would cause any prolonged liver problem.  In fact, I'd be surprised if it would cause any problem at all other than an upset stomach for a day or two.

Those enzyme levels sound to be a bit high to me, but of course the normal range varies from lab to lab depending on how the test is performed.  Fatty liver, as you mentioned the ultrasound found, will cause high liver enzymes.  The cause of fatty liver is often obesity (or just overwieght).  Losing weight should fix the problem.  However, some people who are not overwight have fatty liver...cause unknown at times.  Talk to your doctor about what you should do.  I would retest those liver functions every once in a while to see if they go down.  What did the doc tell you about the liver fat?

Rebecca

[jackty]

I think the spoiled soy milk has something really bad in it.  It could have been some kind of toxin or bacteria.

Just talked to the doctor yesterday.  He said I am over weight that's why I have fatty liver.  I don't know if he is just saying it because I am 5'11" and weight 183LB.  Is this over-weight?

I also found out I have H. Pylori bacteria in my blood.  I wonder if it came from the soy bean milk.   But I still don't think I have ulcer, because I did not have any symptons of ulcer, eg. stomach pain, back pain etc.  The only sympton I have was bloating.  I feel a lot of gas coming up and "going out".

Could H. Pylori cause my liver function reading to elevated?  My doctor said no.  But again, no one seems to know what the bacteria does.

[rthornton]

I don't know too much about H. Pylori, but it seems gas could be a symptom...maybe that's the only problem you will have from it.  It is a stomach/digestive track thing, and I don't think it is likely to cause liver problems that are persistent.  

It is true that toxins will cause liver problems, since the liver is in charge of cleaning them out...but these will not be chronic problems in most cases and once the toxin is gone the liver will go back to normal function.  Chronic liver problems are generally caused by chronic viral infections, excess alcohol, fat in the liver or autoimmune disorder.  Toxic causes would need to be repeated exposure to cause long lasting problems, and once the toxins (some medications included) are removed, the liver heals and regains function.

Fatty liver definitely causes elevated liver enzymes...so I would bet that is what is going on with your liver.  Your weight doesn't sound too high to me, for 5'11", are you male or female?  However, some people who are not over weight get fatty liver too.  Maybe losing a bit of weight would fix the problem...would you say you are "skinny" or could you stand to lose a few pounds (like me :-)...not exactly skinny, but I wouldn't say I am overweight -- 5'4" and 128-130 lbs.)

I really think the H. Pylori and liver problem are likely separate issues.  Here's a theory:  The spoiled milk may have caused some increased liver symptoms due to an already weakened liver caused by the fat, but I doubt it would cause anything chronic.  This is just my two cents worth.  I am really just brain-storming.  I am not a medical doctor, but I have researched liver disease extensively because of my chronic autoimmune liver disorder.

Remember, fatty liver is a liver problem and does cause persistently elevated AST and or ALT.  It sounds to me like you actually DID get a diagnosis that explains those liver enzyme elevations.  Also, make sure you are comfortable with your doctor...if not, find another one!

[jackty]

Thanks Rebecca.  I already checked with another doctor and this one is much better.  I got medication for the H. Pylori bacteria, which according to him, many people have it but never notice it until something came up.  This nasty bacteria can cause stomach cancer!

I got another blood test to check the ALT, glucose, chloestrol etc.  Have to wait 2 weeks for the result.  He is checking my HBV DNA.  He said I am not over-weight (BTW, I am a guy).  We will see until 2 weeks later.  But I am taking nature stuff like milk thistle, phallanthus and IP6 for my own liver protection.   I actually feels much better.  You may want to try these 3 things for your liver problem.