Rash, Itch, Elevated Liver Enzymes

[smiling_at_you]

Over the last year, I have developed itching and rashes on different parts of my body, mostly on my upper body (chest and/or shoulders), hands and sides (below the armpits on the ribcage), ocassionally on my inner thighs, buttocks and ankles as well. The rash on the hands is sometimes slightly burning. The rash and  itch seem to worsen at night.  I also have some small red dots on my inner thighs that have been diagnosed as folliculitis.

I have had high, fluctuating liver enzymes over the past 13 months, my most recent ALT (GPT) is at 132!!! (Normal is 10-37).  I currently have a slightly low lymphocyte count [19.4% (normal is 22%-43%)].

None of my doctors (PCP, Dermatologist, Allergist) have been able to figure out what i have...ultrasound showed all internal organs to be normal, hepatitis tests came back negatve, yet the constantly elevated liver enzymes and slightly low lymphocyte count, together with the rash and itching, have me concered.

Any suggestions?

[Rnpnme]

My brother has the exact same symptoms. Did they find an answer for what was wrong with your mother?

[patsanz]

I've had the same symptoms diagnosed as eczema and went through every test and dr. Imaginable. It worsened the last 5 years or so after long term gastrointestinal problems. I went on both an allergy and candida diet based on my research and personal experience and symptoms before visiting a homeopath. She gave me supplements and tips to.continue this path. Rashes became 95% better and flares stopped after dieting and no alcohol plus exercise, vitamins and probiotics. Also food combining helped a lot. However, I began to flare and have chronic constipation about a month later when getting off the diet and going back to grains and sugars (what can i say, i felt better and old habits die hard). But nothing nearly as bad or long lasting as before. I follow up with a stool test for bacteria and candida. I feel like an overwhelmed liver might have something to do with this...i also may have a leaky gut explaining my food sensativities. also, genetics because my grandmother suffered the same way for years. she blames her liver too and says she was well after four years of dieting...i think it will take a while to rebalancce. Diet is one of the key factors...

[Tree8]

Primary Biliary Cirrosis, also known as PBC. An autoimmune liver disease that attacks the liver.  I have ALL the above symptoms.  I was diagnosed in 2006.  Ther itching is much worse. A liver biopsy will confirm.

[skeptigal]

The liver is a tough organ, it can take a lot of abuse. You can damage it repeatedly and it will heal itself. However, there is a threshold and if crossed you are in trouble. Some types of food, medicine and a lot of supplements can mess up your liver. They are not regulated like drugs (even though they are drugs). The bottle cannot claim health benefits, but there is no oversight on what is IN the bottle. Supplements can be impure, the wrong dose, the wrong form or just flat out bad for you. A number of Chinese medicinal items from China are contaminated with heavy metals. I don't think they are all bad, just some. Another big problem is acetaminophen overdose, you can take Tylenol regularly with no problem, but if you take too much it will take out your liver quickly. If you took 3 higher dose pills instead of the recommended two, that'll do it. Also a ton of other OTC and prescription meds already contain Tylenol. If you are unwittingly getting Tylenol from too many sources, again bye bye liver. I would be honest with yourself and your doc about what you ingest. The liver usually recovers nicely once the harmful substance is no longer present.

I have compensated cirrhosis (it's stable) from Sarcoidosis. I'm late to the question, but there's always someone with an itchy rash. When my bilirubin gets high for me (2 or over), I get itchy fast. I scratch and get welts and it takes a long time to get rid of it.

High bilirubin means I've been eating poorly and/or I'm ill, and haven't been drinking my daily veg juice. The more severe the rash and itch, the more vitamin laden the juice. I make fresh juice every three days or so.

Plain ole juice:
2-3 bunches of radishes w/ green tops
1-2 hothouse cucumbers, it depends on size
2 T ACV as preservative
I use an old Cuisinart then squeeze the juice out from pulp*
Daily serving: 4-6 oz of above + 4-6 oz good bottled carrot juice

Additions for stronger juice:

1 bunch Italian parsley
2 T pomegranate molasses**
1-3 t pure blueberry powder***

I would drink the juice with additions every day, but it gets $$$. Usually the plain one does the trick. I can half my bilirubin number in a week

*I mix big mixing bowl pulp with 1 can pumpkin scoop in 1/4 C and freeze
Dog gets 1 ball + kibble 2x day, saved dog's liver after poisoning

**pomegranate molasses is concentrated pomegranate juice. Cheapest in Middle Eastern stores $5 or so.  

***If berries are cheap I eat a pint of fresh blue or raspberries every day. In winter I get blueberry powder at nutsonline.com

[skeptigal]

Edit: If you took 3 higher dose Tylenol instead of the recommended 2 REGULARLY, that'll do it.

[RG03]

Have you been tested for Celiac disease and the related skin condition, dermatitis herpetiformis? Celiac disease can cause elevated liver enzymes and the rash you describe sounds like dermatitis herpetiformis. Both are autoimmune diseases that are managed with a gluten free diet. Contact a gastro that specializes in Celiac disease!