Should I be worried? GGT results and liver

[teenyme]

I'm hoping for a little reassurance really. I'm 33 and not overweight, and otherwise fit and healthy.

A recent routine blood screen (I had been feeling tired) showed elevated ALP and Gamma GT levels. I was told that they weren't alarmingly high, but high enough to warrant further investigation. Historically I have been a heavy drinker on and off, enjoying more than the recommended limit on a regular basis. The doctor told me to cut down drastically on the alcohol intake, preferably abstain altogether, and he would refer me for a liver scan and then repeat the blood test in two months. I had one glass of wine on two separate occasions during the two months.

The liver scan showed nothing abnormal or of concern. The second blood test result showed that the levels are still "slightly" abnormal but that there is a marked improvement. I am due to see the doctor tomorrow to discuss this. I'm feeling scared and worried about all of it, and am wondering:

Is it likely I have a liver problem that will affect my life from here on in?
Or is this likely to be a warning sign? If so, what warning sign?
I know ultrasound scans are not necessarily conclusive, but as it has come back normal, should I allow myself to be reassured that my liver is not fatty, scarred or inflamed?
Is it likely I will have to become completely teetotal, or will I be advised to drink well within the recommended limits from here on in?
Should I be alarmed or reassured that my LFTs have come back significantly improved, but not totally "normal"?

What questions should I be asking the doctor? I'm not great at these things, and I feel ashamed and embarrassed about it all. I don't know if I'm worrying unnecessarily. I know I can't be given any diagnosis here, but any advice or support would be much appreciated. I have no means of putting this into perspective and as a result am unsure of how to respond to it all.

[cat33]

I think there is a reason for concern. My LFT's were normal for years. One night I woke up after a bad dream and ran after what I thought was my husband . Needless to say it wasen't him he was asleep . I ran into a door so hard it knocked me out . I was totally out for about 3 days . Only remembering parts of the whole thing. I regaind concisness in the hospital. Where they had done extensive testing and only found out I had abnormal amounts of ammonia in my blood. I rarely drink. Not at all any more it's been about a year. The ammonial level was tracked and I was given medication to bring it down. In the mean time I had a colonoscopy since I had never had one done before. During the blood work they found my GGT levels to be a bit high so they waited a few months  and asked me to get a liver biopsy anyway the news was not good. I was left untreated to long and now have permanent damage. Due to cryptogenic liver desiese. So please dont count on LFT's alone or one doctor . Get a second opinion . I never had any symptoms , no pain , nothing till now. Now I have to deal with a brain fog if I don't take my medication for the ammonia level . Tired all the time . Have pain but it's arthrits related. Hope I did'tnt put a damper on your day but my  current dr. recently admitted medicine is sometimes a guessing game. Take Care. cat33

[s123]

I really wouldn't be unduly alarmed by this, but instead, forewarned.  You obviously need to cut down on the alcohol.  Be reassured that your levels have already started to come down, and will continue to do so if you limit your alcohol intake.  Of course, the doc may say cut it out, either for a few weeks/months or for good.  As like as not, he will continue to monitor your LFTs until they return to normal.  The liver is remarkable in its recovery IF TREATED nicely!  Keep up regular doc checks.  And don't be ashamed or ambarrassed:there's no need.  Just be wise...!

All best wishes.  PM me if you want.

[mr.lucky66]

How about no alcohol? I have hep. c and haven't touched a drop for years. Now my liver is in good shape and I don't miss drinking and am glad I don't drink.

[reddawg]

WARNING SIGN FOR LIVER DISEASE.
Alcoholic Liver Disease is the one liver disease most likely to become cancerous, and fastest to ESLD (not saying you have it yet).
Fortunately, if caught soon enough full recovery is in your hands. You must completely stop drinking. For a women it takes only 2 or 3 drinks per day for 10 years for Alcoholic Liver Disease to present itself.
I have Alcoholic and Hep C liver disease. I quit drinking and has been 17 years since I've had any alcohol. Unfortunately for me the damage was done also due to HepC. I have been dx. with hepC since 1989. Cirrhosis since 1995. I believe that if I countinued to drink at the high rate I was, I would be dead.

[teenyme]

Hi all, and thanks for the comments. Should I be panicking though? The second visit to the doctor was positive. He was very happy with how much my GGT levels had come down, and advised sensible drinking from now on. I specifically asked if he was concerned about fatty liver or ALD, and he said not at all. The scan supported this. Obviously from now on I'm drinking within the recommended weekly limits. And obviously we would all be healthier if we quit drinking altogether!