Elevated Liver Enzymes

[Mike]

I am 31 years old 6ft 210 lbs.  I have always been very athletic in my life. Never Drink, no drugs, no smoke. Although in the last 5-6 years I have not been very active as far as sports but I am in good condition and I eat fairly healthy.  About 4 years ago I was told by my Doctor I had elevated Liver Enzymes and consequently my Life insurance policy was slightly rated.  At the time it was about 89.  We took the test again and a few weeks later it was 74.  he did all the recommended tests.  I was negative for all hepatitis.  I had a sonogram done earlier this year and it was normal , no leisons, no enlarged, no fattyness.  I recently (about 2 weeks ago)  went to him for some headaches I have been having.  I was possibly  attributing this to some vitamins that I have been taking from a COmpany called Roex(B's C's, Calcium, grape seed extract, olive leaf extract.  My grandmother swears by it.  I tried them becasue I felt that I have been lacking nutrients.   However, The Dr. said that wasnt the cause.  Since I was in the office I said lets do my regular liver test.  The results came back 140!  I am getting concerned because I feel that My Doctor is not experienced at all in this instance and I need some recommendations as to what could be causing this possibly some guidance on where I can go for some expert help. I am in the NYC area. I am very concerned.

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Mike,
The possible causes for elevated liver tests in an individual without symptoms suggestive of other illness includes the following conditions:
viral hepatitis -exc;uded by appropriate blood tests

autoimmune liver disease- can be excluded by blood tests

metabolic liver disease- both iron and copper overload can cause prolonged elevations of liver tests often with the absence of other symptoms.  Blood and urine tests will confirm the diagnosis

toxic hepatitis- e,g, due to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications or industrial exposures.  A detailed medical history should exclude these possibilities.

Sometimes, the blood and other tests do not suggest a diagnosis.  In these instances it is sometimes necessary to do a liver biopsy.

[POOHABRAMS @CS.COM]

i RECENTLY HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED.  bEFORE THIS MY LIVER PANEL WAS AT THE RATE OF 55 WHICH i KNOW IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL.  cOULD THIS HAVE BEEN HIGH BECAUSE OF MY GALLBLADDER?

[Sara Guillemette]

My story sounds similar to many submitted. 11/98, while applying for life insurance, I discovered my elevated liver enzymes. I'm 31, very healthy otherwise (workout regularly, not overweight, & eat a primarily "whole foods" diet). I've had blood tested every 3 months since. My gastroenterologist ruled out all viral Hepatitis (yet informed me that this very condition we all have is called, "Hepatitis"). I have had 1 c-scan, & 2 liver ultrasounds too. I've thusfar refused to biopsy, worried about the dangers, and skeptical that my Dr. has not exhausted every possible non invasive diagnostic test. I'm not sure of my next step. Any suggestions? I'm not the laid back type who can say, "I'm healthy...I'll just sit back, and watch my ALT #'s triple again next year". I encourage anyone who feels knowledgable to send your much needed feedback. ***@****

[Theresa]

I am a 46 year old female in great health.  I do not drink or take drugs. Since 1996, when I had my Gallbladder removed, I have had an elevated GGT count.  It's been from 166, 4 years ago, then 144 just two months ago.  It even reached over 600 just after my Gall Bladder surgery.  In October, my Doctor had some blood work done, I've had an ultrasound done and also went through a Liver Biopsy in December.  All tests came back clear.  I have stopped all vitamins and tylenol, I'm not on any medications at all and and just had another test taken last week and my GGT went up to 232.  This elevated count really concerns me.  What could be causing it? Please write to me at my email address if you have any information for me - ***@****.

[lori stell]

Dear doctor, I am a 37yr old female and for the past year I have been sufferig with severe bloating in my stomach my stools are hard at times and I have severe gas amost constantly. I am taking prilosec and it doesnt seem to be working any more either. For the past day or so I have had a pain in my left side right under my ribs that seems to feel better when I apply pressure on it. Could you please give me your opinion as to what this could be and do you think I should seek medical attention asap? I have had this pain before and it went away but its not going away this time its been 24hrs and no relief? Thank you, Lori

[sussie597]

A related discussion, hives & audio immune hepatitis was started.

[peppino77]

Dear Jasen,

Stop taking alcohol, reduce to minimum all medicines, reduce fats and meats, take milk thistle herbal pills, use artichokes often as side salads. Drink loads of water.

[beatriz]

I'm concerned that with all the mention of elevated liver
enzyme levels here, there is no mention of anyone's doctor
checking for hemochromatosis, or iron overload disease, which
is very common (1 in 250 americans, higher incidence for
those of Irish/Scottish/Welsh or Northern European descent)
and potentially fatal, yet easily detected and prevented.

The problem is that doctors often don't think to check for
it and people have never heard about it, even though it is
THE most common genetic disease in the U.S.

One of the early symptoms of this condition are elevated liver
enzyme levels.

What happens is that the iron levels in the body begin to
accumulate and eventually the iron gets stored in major organs
and causes damage, like cirrhosis, liver cancer, heart disease,
diabetes, etc.  

For complete information try the American Hemochromatosis
Society's web page:  www.americanhs.org

[Richard]

I recently went to the Dr. for a routine physical. They took blood and when they called me back with the results they had told me that my AST WAS 45 and ALT WAS 66.

Can you please let me know what could have cuased this to go up. I am not a drinker, however I do like to have 1 drink a day. I am not a heavy drinker at all.

PLease let me know.

Thank you
Richard

[Scott]

Hello,
I am a former Hodgkin's patient who is also a marathon runner.  My most recent blood counts for my periodic follow-up was very good, but they found that my AST was 55 and my ALT was 57, both twice the normal.  Hepititus is unlikely, I'm told, and was also told the possibility of maybe some liver damage from the chemo.  However, my liver enzyme count has nothing to compare to, since it was last checked when I was given chemo more than 2 years ago, and that was high then, but not as high as it is now, I guess.

I am told that more than likely since I am so active that my body is constantly repairing itself, making the liver more active in response.  They found something in the medical journals about exercise and liver enzymes that supports that.  Since September of last year, I have not taken a day off from running and have averaged over 61 miles each of those weeks.  I just got done completing a 24-hour run, with a PR of 93 miles in Eldridge, Iowa in May, and am running some of the fastest times in my life.  So, I don't feel sick (I feel great), and all other tests confirm that I am healthy.  My onclogist doesn't suspect cancer, but had me CAT scanned anyway yesterday, even though the blood work was good.  I have been a runner for almost 18 years.  I am a 33 year old male, non-smoker, non-drinker, and am not currently on any medications, and have no other health related issues other than just having Hodgkin's stage 3B almost 3 years ago.  I was given chemo, then radiation therapy after that.  Everything has been great after that.  Is it possible that those numbers could be my physiological normals being as active as I am?  And if so, is that common with athletes?

***@****

[Shawnda]

I recently went to my doctor for a sinus infection and while I was there I told him I had been a little tired lately.  I didnt know why I had been tired...if it was stress,depression or just the fact that I have two kids (2 1/2 yr old & 7 month old).  They did some bloodwork to check for thyroid,diabetes etc..My blood work came back with elevated alkaline phosphatase level of 715 and GGT level of 137. I have had an ultrasound, which shows an enlarged left lobe of the liver...I have also had a CT scan which showed a lesion measuring 14cm X 12cm X 7cm.  The radiologist suggested focal nodular hyperplasia, but the gastroenterologist says that there is usually not elevated liver chemistries in focal nodular hyperplasia.  I have recently had alpha-feto protein bloodtest done along with another blood test to check for
tumor marker, but all came back negative.  I then had a Tc 99m sulfur colloid liver spleen scan, which said that the appearance was atypical for focal nodular hyperplasia, but possible adenoma.
I am scheduled for MRI in a few days.  My question is has anyone ever heard of anything like this.  I am worried that it could be cancer and nobody seems to want to tell me anything.  The gastro seems to think it is not cancer, but isnt positive.  Please e-mail response to ***@****.

[Cindy Bandy]

My daughter just returned from the Dr and he said her Chorlestreol was too high and put her on a diet.  How many mg of chorlestreol should you have per day.  Thank you

[Kathy]

My best friend, healthiest lifestyle / 46 years old, thought she was having a gall bladder attack October 1999.  In a routine pre-op x-ray, a spot was found on her liver.  Her billirubin level has stayed at 11 or higher,despite a drain-bag being used.  Doctors say this is extremely rare, and will not use any chemo, surgery or cancer treatments until her billirubin goes below 2!  She continues to lose weight and remain "yellow" while waiting for something to happen.  Can anyone share info / insights on this type of count?

[Lisa Paterson-Bird]

My Daughter who is 5 months has had recent LFT's that have been abnormally high.  Her GGT was 1704, ALB 40, ALP 499, ALT 113 and Billirubin 11.

Ultrasounds show high velocitys of blood travelling through her artery to her liver. (Although they believe this could be totally unrelated!)

It is very worrying, she otherwise appears to be normal - any advice?!

Thanks,
lisa

[Trevor]

I am 26 years old and I applied for life insurance and had the needed blood and urine stuff done. The results came back and they said I had abnormal liver enzymes. What are some cause of this. What is involve with a liver biopsy. In the past 2-5 years, I have seen some wait gain. could this be related? Is this something to be worried about?Please email me at wright71_***@**** with some answers. thanks.

[John Sexton]

I am a very healthy 26 year old male.  I have been taking creatine and whey protein to help me with weight lifting.  I recently gave blood, as I have many times before, and the results came back that my ALT level was 132.  What the heck is up with that.  I also took asprin, cafine, and ephedra in order to shed extra pounds.  Is it possible for the levels to go back down.  Have I killed my liver.  Is there anything that can be done.  I really didn't find any advice on this page other than to say what things to look for.  But what help or hope is there.  If anyone can be of any help please e-mail me   ***@****

[John Loeckle]

I have a liver GGT of over 1100 yes 1100 and am worried and would likt to know if there is any thing that will clean this up all other test are o.k. doctor i am going to does not knowwhat is causing this.

[Patti]

The doctor told me today that my liver enzymes were extremely high and that I have to see a gastrointologist and have a possible biopsy.  I am really worried as I also have Addison's disease and just got out of the hospital after 5 days of antibiotics for diverticulitis.  My liver counts have been high for a long time, but nothing like they are now.  I take cortisone daily for the Addison's disease, but do not drink or use drugs.
I am 59 years old and have been taking cortisone since 1971.
Does anyone know if cortisone is destructive to the liver, or can you tell me where I can find information on the internet on what normal enzymes are so I can compare mine.

[debbie]

Hi,
I have a 4 year old with abetalipoproteinemia.  He was also just diagnosed with NASH.  ( Fatty liver with some scarring)  His condition is so rare, there are literally no children to compare him with, and no history.  If there are any people with either of these conditions, I would love to hear from you.  

Sincerely,
Debbie

[rod]

I am 20 years old. Just yesterday I have been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. I also have Ulcerative Cholitis. My question is, what qualifies one to be put on a liver transplant list? How long is the approximate waiting time? What is the survival rate of those that undergo a liver transplant? And what is the average life span of people after the transplant? I know these are numerous questions, but I am concerned as I know there is no cure for PSC.
Anyone responding to this message please email me at ***@**** as I will probably not find my way back to this web page. Thank you.
Concerned,
Rod

[twila]

I just came out of the hospital after an 11 day stay.  I can now comment on my own question regarding high liver enzymes.  Perhaps understanding what happened to me will help some of you to understand what is happening to yourselves.

Before I ever got the opportunity to go in for my ultrasound, I went to the emergency room complaining of severe abdominal pain and nausea.

I was diagnosed with gallstones (even though my gall bladder was removed about 10 years ago, a gall stone got me again!  The gall stone was lodged in my common bile duct.  This stone's placement stopped the pancreas from being able to empty it's enzymes.  The end result is that the enzymes began to consume my pancreas, they then moved on to my lower lungs and even to my liver!  (Hence my high liver enzymes.)  

The stone has been removed but my pancreas is taking a long slow time to recuperate.  I am still unable to eat solid foods.  I will most likely be on a liquid diet for another 2 weeks or so.  The doctor tells me that I will recover completely from all of this, but it is a slow process.

I hope this information helps some others out there..... apparently I have had this stone for quite some time and it has been lodging and disloging for months.  Each time it lodged itself in there, more damage would occur.  The last time it did not dislodge without surgival intervention.

[lisa]

HELP FROM THE MIDDLE OF AFRICA! Was tested positive for HEP.A. in December99, re tested in Jan 00, negative - all other hep tests are negative. 3 months later myliver function tests are still high, i'm still yellow! as well as nauseous, still losing weight! no liver specialists in this country, having blood tests done weekly, the scan is normal, the biopsy _ they have lost the results!  have no energy, find it really hard to work have been off work for weeks and now back - but going slowly- .
I don't drink, was reasonably fit, don't eat any meat,please, please help

[jennifer]

HELP!  My son is 13 weeks old and has elevated liver enzyme levels.  He was hospitlaized for RSV (respiratory virus) and they gound that his liver enzymes were "slightly elevated".  Later I found out that his level was 1400!  Within three days it dropped to 700.  Four days later, it was at 628.  Now, three more days have gone by and it is up again to 829.  The doctor said that probably has some form of Hepatitus, but they tested for A,B, and C, all of which were negative.  His billie-rubin levels are normal.  What can make his enzyme levels go up?  The doctors don't seem to know and one of his doctors told me that he honestly had no clue what could be going on.  He is seeing a pediatric gastro doctor.  Are there liver specialists?  What could this be, and as a mother, what should I insist these doctors be doing to my son?  

If you can help, please email me @ ***@****

[comment from: tina feb. 16 2000]

My daughter is 3 yrs old her liver enzymes are elevated at first in november they were 200 and 250 then went to 400 and 600 later 300 and 400 now they eliminated all hepatitis also autoimmune and alpha1trips then she had a liver biopsy done looking for glycogen storage disease tests were sent to duke microlab they are not sure if its that they don't have enough sample the liver specialist said he will ask the pathologist if he could lean twards one or the other meaning glycogen or could it be something else her biopsy showed that she had some scarring not much and her liver is enlarged she also has an enlarged belly small red veins in her cheeks her growth has decreased since the age of 15 mths.  

i was just wondering if any of this sounded formiliar to anyone we have been going through this for 3 months now and we still dont have any answers how could they not know by now?
thanks anyone for comments...you can e-mail me at ***@****