Looking for quick response tho not a quick fix

[AK1012]

Hi:

I have an elderly father (72 yrs. old), who has been a serious drinker most of his life.  He just went through a series of liver tests, and his levels were over 500.  I did some research online, and I guess the test that he was over the charts on said the normal range was 42-128.  So can I assume this is bad?
My question is: if he were to stop drinking, would there be any hope of reversing the damage, and offering him a bit more quality and length to his life....or, is the damage too severe, both the affects to the liver, as well as what he would go through regarding withdrawals, etc...(if his system, health, and age factor would even permit it).
I hope I am making some kind of sense...basically what it comes down to....should he just go on doing what he has always done, making him as comfortable as possible for what is inevitable?
The ideal would be for him to stop, yes.  That is a given.  I hope I don't sound morbid.....quite the contrary.  Would hope that if he took the risk to help himself, despite the fact that it is so late, and so much damge done, that the outcome will at least offer him a bit more time.  Maybe it is just me not wanting to have to face what is in front of me, or not wanting to let go....but HOPE always helps.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

AK1012

[melrose]

That is a very high level.  The only way to determine the extent of damage to the liver is to get a MRI and a CT. If you really want a exact amount of damage that has been done to your fathers liver then consider a liver biopsy.  This way it can be determined exactly the extent of damage done to the liver.
500 is a significant elevation and shows cells are damaged.  You will still want to get any of the above test to know.  As far as regeneration, please consult your GI specialist.

Craig, RN.

[MARY ANN]

melrose is correct i have hep c and cirrhosis of the liver the only true way of telling how much dammage has been done is by a byopsy .hep c did the damage i have, but from exstensive reading on the subject i can tell you that if it is caused by drinking the more he drinks the more damage he will suffer so my answer is yes he needs to stop drinking if he wishes to prolong his life .it is said by some if cirrhosis is caused by things other than drinking it does not hurt to have a drink every now an then but if it is caused by drinking in excess then one should not drink period. if your father has been a big drinker for many years the chances of this being cirrhosis is high.i pray it is not, but there is different levels of cirrhosis and if he stops now maybe he can add some years to his life .by the way people with serious hep c should not drink regardless of what the studies might say .god bless you and your father and i do have compasion for you my mother and father both were big drinkers and i no longer have either, and it hurts to see our parents suffer when you love them so dearly .i tried to get both my parents to slow down on the drinking but neither complied. so it will have to be a choice only your father can make and all you can do is love and suport him .and injoy the time you have left together .wishing you and your father well .may god bless