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LIVER ENZYMES UP - TRYING TO FIND A CAUSE?

Hello Dr.

I am trying to figure out why my liver enzymes are through the roof and all other tests are normal.  Over the last year; I've had an ultrasound of the liver and surrounding organs, many different blood tests recently 12 vials, CT scan of the abdomen and liver.  The drs say it could be a fatty liver.  I had been taking medication for rosata for many years; so I stopped using that and changed to a topical solution.  The numbers haven't gone down.
I do take valrex on occation when needed.  I do take a womans vitamin everyday.  Could these affect the count?

History:  2005 my enzyme levels were normal.  2009 they started to rise and the last year the GGTP is at 182 far higher than it should.    I am normally very active and have a high energy level but lately this has changed where i'm more fatigued and the whites in my eyes are showing a sign of yellowing.  Starting in June through 2 weeks ago I had severe hot and cold flashes every hour on the hour.  I was conserned and very uncomforatble with these and considered going to the hospital.  All my drs thought it may be pre-metapause.  The reason I don't is back in July my gastro gave me an antibotic for the flashes and because I thought I could have an infection of some kind.  I was having a pain in my lower left back.  It went away after taking the antiboitics and the flashes stopped for about 2 weeks and then returned.  So recently, I was thinking maybe a bladder or kidney infection but my doctor wouldn't treat with medication.  It was unbearable so I took an antibotic that I had at my house for 5 days to see if  it would help.  At the same time I started taking Milk Thissal for Liver function.  I'm not sure which one of these helped but the hot and cold flashes diminished and finally are gone.  I'm still fatigued and the last blood test came back high again.    So I'm worried.  

Other things that could have caused something to trigger this?  I have considered everything and don't know where to continue looking.
I did go on a cruise in june of 2010,  I had a colanocopy and a scope may 2011,  I am allergic to latex and had a mirena put in 4years ago so I considering removing it, I am also highly lactose intolorant and it seems digestion has gotten much worse over the last 2 years.  I had mono when I was a kid.  

This is where I'm at right now;  I've spoke to my MD, my gyno, gastro and I am going to a liver specialist in February, which seems a long way off.  I am concerned about this dr wanting to do a biopsy.  I have considered doing a liver cleanse and I am waiting for the package to come in.  My Doctor said he didn't want me to do this until we find out what's happening.  I can understand this but I would much rather try to cleanse the liver and see if the levels are still out of wack before doing a surgery. Do you agree?

I am trying to eat healthy and drinking minimum alcohol, if any.  Zumba 2-3 times a week to reduce weight.  My dr said to loose about 20lb.  Which isn't that much overweight to be causing such a high count but I'm trying.  What are your recommendations?  6 more weeks is way too long to wait and do nothing.  

Sorry, I've written a book now.   I hope you can understand where I'm and give me some advise.  Thank you for your time!  Kalena
9 Responses
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Avatar universal
Get your ANA tested.  You could have autoimmune hepatitis.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What can a liver biopsy reveal?  

My mom is currently in the hospital.  Liver count was 200.  Next day 400, next day 1300 and today 3900.  

So far they have said she has hepatitis A.  But every day gets worse.  Is there a point when the counts get critically high?  She is nauseous, dizzy, fever and jaundice is now setting in.  She's 59, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, tries to be very healthy.  Rarely eats beef.

They have been giving her IB prophin for headaches.

Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Interesting...I just realized I am gluten intolerant, as well...Had a blood test taken after 5 days being gluten free and my liver enzymes came down 30%.  I'm hoping i'm on the right track now...another liver test in 3 weeks to determine if this is the reason.  I hope so...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Persistently elevated liver enzymes could be an indication for liver biopsy. This is planned after correlating with imaging studies, clinical symptoms and other blood tests. More so if you have symptoms of liver disease like jaundice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.

In the meantime you could follow certain precautions. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Avoid drugs like paracetomol and sedatives. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. Take a good protein diet.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
Wow...really...what is it?  What is your course of treatment going forward?  How are you feeling?  Will they do surgery for this gravel?  Best of Luck!!!  It sounds like you have a great attitude - that's half the battle - staying strong and positive is probably the best thing to do.

I did feel better when I drank Cranberry juice.  I've also realized the last few days that I have all the symptoms of Celiac...I don't know that means I'm lactose and Gluten intolerant, now.  It's in everything!!!  For now, I feel better when I stay away from these things but that might just be the tip of the iceberg.  I have an appt. mid feb another 5 weeks off.  It's been over a year without a diagnoses.  Not good.  It could be hereditary and my family didn't know it either...my mom passed away 2 years ago and always had issues like these.    She had lymphoma and i read that celiac could progress into this...my future is looking pretty grim at the moment.  Not sure what to do.  Diuretic should be prescribed, right?  At this point i probably shouldn't take anything until it's definite.  I'm going to talk to my regular doc this week, ill ask him.  Thanks for your advise!!!



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Avatar universal
Thank you!!!  Very helpful.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry.A diaretic to drain the fluid from your abdomen and tame the liver for now.Theres a good one now that I use it works likes champ.You just gotta hang tough and see a hepatologist.I went through through all the ct scans and ultra sounds of liver an kidney.Felt pain in lower left side back like you.Cranberry pills help alot. Your kidneys have build up a gravel type substance and creates an infection an then failure not to scare you.You should goto a specialist before it causes cirrhosis of the liver girl.It ***** I know but hey that's why they got doctors an medicine.For people like us.stay strong and if you need anything feel free to email me at ***@**** you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's a shot in the dark girl but it sounds like u got Alpha 1 AntiTrypsin. When I read your message I was like wow she went through what I went throught exactly.Sorry I didn't mention I'm only 25 and was diagnosed with it last week hun.Alpha 1 is a enzyme disease that is genetic.Need to ask your parents when you were born.Ask your doctor for a diaretic
Helpful - 0
419309 tn?1326503291
My Doctor said he didn't want me to do this until we find out what's happening.  I can understand this but I would much rather try to cleanse the liver and see if the levels are still out of wack before doing a surgery. Do you agree?
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I agree with your doctor.  You are having symptoms of liver dysfunction, and liver cleanses are not regulated like medications are and can possibly be very dangerous if your liver function is compromised -- follow your doctors advice.  Not knowing what is causing your symptoms, any added supplements or medications can be risky.

You mentioned that your doctor took 12 tubes of blood... it would be important to know what tests were ordered for you.  With continued elevated liver enzymes, your doctor should have at least run a hepatitis panel to rule out viral causes, as well as check your iron levels... always a good idea to ask a doc what he's checking for and to get copies of all your results whenever possible.

Because your symptoms raise concerns for liver health, abstaining from alcohol completely until you see the liver specialist would be a good idea, as well as losing that weight (cleanse the pantry, not the liver!).  Six weeks can seem like forever, but as long as you're not having any complicating symptoms (swelling, fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.), work on losing that weight and eating as healthy as possible, and avoid Tylenol in the interim until you can meet with the hepatologist.

Also, don't worry about liver biopsy... my husband had one , got himself all worked up and lost sleep the night before, and afterwards kicked himself for his anxiety because it was "a piece of cake! Didn't even feel it!"  I have a friend who's had over 10 of them, and as he says, the biopsy is the easy part... it's waiting for results that's the hard part.  

Hope that helps, and best of luck to you. ~eureka
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