Re: Elevated Liver Enzymes

Posted By Kevin on July 11, 1999 at 06:09:18
I just received my life insurance quote back and they raised my premiums. They stated that I had elevated liver enzymes. I was just wondering what that meant and how do you bring that back to normal. How serious is this situation and should I see my doctor for it? I do drink alcohol often, maybe once a week, and some of those times excessively. I also take Tylenol for hangovers sometimes. Is there risk of permanent damage? If caused by the Tylenol, would taking Ibuprofen or aspirin make any difference? How long after stopping drinking would be necessary to return the liver to normal? Is there any other way to help bring down the enzyme level, such as diet or drugs?

[Denise__0__0]

Posted By Denise on July 13, 1999 at 11:38:55
I have the same problem as Kevin with elevated liver enzymes only I do
not drink alcohol and I have had my gallbladder removed.  The doctor
is not testing me for Hepatitis A,B, and C, why would enzymes be elevated
also I very seldom take tylenol?  Is there any symptoms that I would
have?

[Denise__0__0]

Posted By Denise on July 13, 1999 at 11:40:29
typing error above,  the doctor is testing me for HEP A,B, and C.

[Lisa__0__0]

Posted By Lisa on July 16, 1999 at 12:02:21
Hi Denise,
I have had elevated liver enzymes for over six months.  I too had my gallbladder removed because of small stones back in November '98. (In fact, it was after the surgery that my enzymes started to become abnormal)   I do not drink nor take any medications.  I have been through almost every blood test available as well as an ultrasound and liver biopsy.  Everything has turned up normal.  My specialist is stumped.  I have no symptoms and seem to feel fine.  My specialist is going to keep checking my enzymes on a monthly basis for another 6 months and then make a decision whether or not to do an ERCP.
I have been very frustrated that we can't seem to get to the bottom of this.  What I have realized is that evaluating liver enzymes can be a very complex and difficult process.  It sounds like your doctor is heading down the right path with you.  My G.P. started off with ruling out Hep A,B,C.  He then did an ultrasound to rule out fatty liver or check for any tumours or stones in the bile ducts.  From there he did more specialized bloodwork to rule out less common causes of liver disease like Wilson's, PBC, Alpha-1-antitrypsin, automimmune hepatitis, etc.  When all that cam back normal we then did the biopsy.  So as you can see, this can be a very, long drawn out process and I still have no answers!
Hang in there and take care,
Lisa

[Denise__0__0]

Posted By Denise on July 29, 1999 at 19:40:52
Thanks Lisa
  All tests thus far have come back fine including the ones for
Hep A,B, & C.   I am now waiting for my scheduled ultrasound on October 1.
I was really glad to hear that everything thus far for you have come back
normal as well.
I mentioned it to a co-worker of mine that I was really anxious about this problem and she said that her friend had gone through the same as you have described.  Everything back normal, and doctors have come to the conclusion
that she has a very sensitive liver.  She also has to keep it monitored often.
Thanks again for your reply, somehow it makes it easier to cope when you know
that someone else is going through a similar type problem with good results.
.............Denise










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