High GGTP

My husband has applied for life insurance a number of times recently.  He has consistently had an elevated GGTP  (most recent=364 in a range of 0-65).  Nothing else is abnormal.  In response to a previous refusal of insurance, we went to a G. I. specialist.  He did an ultrasound, biopsy, an ERCP( this caused a pancreatitis attack which I'm told is a possible side effect--he's recovered fine), and an MRI -(-the elevation has been going on for 10-12 years, but has increased.  We wanted to get to the bottom of it).  His diagnosis was most likely fatty liver.  He said this is a benign problem and that my husband is otherwise in good physical health.  My question is that even with a doctor's statement of good health, there is some reason that insurance companies will not touch my husband.  I know that you are not an underwriter, but for the sake of my husband's future health, I would really like to know exactly why the won't insure him and what else could possibly be causing this elevated GGTP.  Thank you so much for any info.or direction you can give.

[Galen]

I am sorry that I can't help you but I don't think anyone here can.  This is a patient-to-patient forum for those with hepatitis.  If your husband has not been tested for Hep A, B, and C, he should be.  It can cause elevated GGT along with liver enzymes.  As for the insurance companies, liver disease is a serious problem and without knowing what is causing your husband's problems it is unlikely that they will underwrite him.  I was fortunate to have health insurance in existance before I found out I had Hep C and it was too late for them to cancel me.

[layla]

Hey way to go Chevy. Being undetectable sure helps make it all feel more worthwhile. Congrats! LL

Raheem, Last shot???? Nice!!! I'm very happy for you. Let us know how long it takes for you to notice the drugs leaving your body. LL

[LvdByGod]

hjo, you will need to keep after this to get some answers...fatty liver can be fatal...do a search on NASH LIVER DISEASE. here are a couple links...my girlfriends mom had to be transplanted for this..."non alchohlic steatosis"...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Link&db=PubMed&dbFrom=PubMed&from_uid=14734144

http://merck.praxis.md/index.asp?page=pubmedAbstract&PubMedID=14734144&hilight=STEATOSIS

sorry i don't know how to do the underlined links...

hey chevy, i posted back to you this morning down aways my chipper friend...why do you get up and out so early? what is your occupation? i musta missed that. or brain fogged it...

i would do just about anything for that sort of energy...{:O) i'm so glad you can be so active...i will have to let this cool "vibe" from you soak into my inactive brain ;o)...do you think it will work? i better pray for myself, i'm about as energetic as an old cat...

[dheana]

Hi everyoneHaven't been here for a while.
I am 4 month after tx, negative at 3.
Just a short question for all of you who have finished the treatment.
I had very nasty sx psichologically, depression and anxiety.
After 4 month I still suffer from post traumatis stress disorder, high level of anxiety with panick attacks.
Any advice, have you had this experience as I have?

[harley dude]

Hey Chev, hadn't been on the pc for 3 or 4 days, had to go on a short trip- enough about me- I just read your post about your "GREAT NEWS"- I am so very happy for you- if anyone dserves it- it's most definitely you- you really brighten alot of people's days with your positive outlook and always giving so much concern for others- you sure are a good ole gal- (ole-not old- there's a big difference- lol- I was so happy when I saw your news- I ran and drank a beer- that's RootBeer of course- once again congratulations(wow that's a big word, thank goodness for a spell checker- It's always a pleasure to read your posts-there always so uplifting- have a great week & a better weekend, see ya Chev - Harley Dude

[katch20]

hey, maybe you should get some help from a qualified psychiatrist.  maybe an ad is in order with some talk therapy.  best to you

[simpleman]

Went to doc today. 5 months post tx and still undectable. 1a, male, 56 years. Enzymes still a little high. Doc doesn't know why but doesn't think it is the Hep C anymore. Maybe the Lipitor I take or I own a printing company and the chemicals and solvents. I could just stay in the office but I've found the best way to motivate people is to work harder than they do and don't ask them to do anything you're not willing to do,so I've always operated a printing press instead of being a supervisor. I haven't been here for a while because it just got too crazy for me here for a while. I owe this board a huge debt of gratitude and really need to return a little of what I was so freely given.

[newb]

Good to hear you're still clear at 5 months post. I just got the 3 month labs back and the liver panels are on the high side (barely within normal reference) and I've been worrying a bit. Doc won't do PCR till 6 months post, so I have another 3 months to stress about it. No other symptoms, but worried anyway. I used to be in the printing biz and know all about those crazy hours and toxic chemicals. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

Questions for all you clearBs: are your liver enzymes  now low-normal, mid- norm, or high-norm? Did you all take awhile to get back into your former lives? Do you suffer any pre-tx symptoms (fatigue, joint pain, fog, etc)? And finally, what happened to Thanbey?? Did she finally figure out that she wasn't wanted here?

Wishing you all the best. I've been trying to wean off of hep forums as well as the peg & riba. Life is good, post tx, but it's still a waiting game for a couple more months.

[ral]

Just wanted congraulate you on you SVR great job.

I also wanted to  say Hi to all my old friends,Galen, layla, harley dude, LvdByGod, simpleman, Mike Simon, and there are so many more here who have supported me and I hope I have been able to give a little back. Hope Hippiechick is doing ok.  all you guy I wish you luck. Thanks for being here.


PEACE TO ALL OF US

Bob L

[LvdByGod]

hey chev, that sounds like very interesting work, must be fun, esp. after tx is behind you...   p.s. sorry for the personal question...i wasn't thinking...

here's some on me; me and my hubby, have been married for 18 years now and we have no kids...i was a portrait photographer at a local studio/school bus driver and now i am a couch potato,but still try to serve at my church, with creative stuff and with the kids ministries.

i started some photography classes to get myself motivated again, since i haven't been doing it for a year since the diagnosis...my real love is nature photography... the classes are a real challange on tx...

anyway, thank you for sharring a piece of your life...you are a very sweet person...with alot going for you...i also want to thank you for all your encouragement to me and to everyone here and congratulate you on your EVR...YAHOOOOOOEEEYYYYY!!!!!!!

MEOW!

[LvdByGod]

i am so glad you made it through tx...did you clear this nasty beast? i hope so...i didn't come here for a few months due to computer probs...and was always concerned about you...the meds can stay in our systems for about 6 months after the hepc tx, hence the reason they tell people not to get pregnant for at least 6 months after going off them...

but, depression is yucky stuff,since it's mentle as well as physical, it could stick around longer than the physical stuff...i used to have major depression and it would be a downward spiral of thoughts...it took 8 years from my life,before i got treated for it. i also had good counciling from people at my church...what a relief it was after that started working...like getting a ton of bricks taken off my back.

it is probably a good idea to take this seriously...there is such a thing as a chemical imbalance...so i wouldn't let myself feel this way for too long...there are great meds for this and a councilor could be a good idea too.

i talked to you a long while ago about how much the AD meds helped me. perhaps they would help you too...i know no one wants more meds...i pray God will lift this burdon from you and that you could find His peace and be restored to health again...

come here for support and let us know how you are doing. we care alot about you...sandi

[DonL]

I was glad to see your post. I've been wondering how you are doing. From your post, it sounds like the depression has lessened, but not disappeared. I hope it's getting easier for you.

I don't have any information to offer and my suggestions are what others say--find a dr you can trust and work with him/her. Still, you have my best thoughts and wishes. I am glad, at least, that you were undetectable at 3 months. Hopefully, this means the hell you went through was worth it.

Stay clear, feel better, and check in from time to time.

[eyehavegr8life]

Sorry to pop in on this thread...I'll get my biopsy results today and I'm hopeful and nervous about the results! Positive thoughts your way, Annette

[lost and confussed]

Hi,
I cant seem to bee able to ask a question so I will try this.
I just was released from the hospital yesterday, I went to er with rapid heart rate and while there they kept finding new things wrong. my platelet count is in the 60s and I have an enlarged spleen. I also have liver enzymes but the doc wont tell me anything but we have to wait for test results.
he has mentioned hepatitas as well as cerohis I know I spelt them wrong but this is all new to me.
he wants me to wait and seee him in two weeks for the results.
I am scared!!
It seems everyone has great knowledge of what they are dealing with but I guess I just am looking for what to expect
If anyone can help me I would be elated
thank you

[susan400]

Hi there.  Sorry to but in here, but every other post I click on to try to comments has Maximum Comments reached at the bottom of it and I can never get on here to post!!  Very annoying!  Anyhow, to anyone who sees this, my liver biopsy is on Mon.  A few posts down people were talking about biopsies.  My first one was very painful, no pre-biopsy sedation, no pain meds, etc., my 2nd one, I had sedation and post biopsies pain meds, much, much better.  So, I'm hoping this biopsy number #3 will go well.  I always get so anxious over this procedure. Most of my major medical procedures have always been done while I was knocked out and I'm a person with a low pain threshold.  A big weenie as my husband would say.   Susan400