Low liver enzyme

[Dawnie42]

The nurse called from the Dr.s office and have me the results of my blood work. She said that everything was fine except my liver enzyme is 1pt. Low. Should I be freaked out. They are still waiting for my celiacs results to come back. But I'm terrified of what this means. I just had a friend die from cirrhosis related complications at 45 years old. And even though he was an alcoholic. I've already taken all of my clothes out of my closet and I'm getting prepared for my funeral.

[LivingInHope]

I am sorry you are so depressed.  The only way out of my depression when I get down is the truth of the Gospel.  If you are willing to hear it, please private message me and I'd be happy to share.  And if you are seriously considering suicide, call 9-1-1.  You have value, Dawnie.  Taking your life is not the answer to what is troubling you.

[Dawnie42]

Thank you so much for talking with me about this. I really think that I do need help for my chronic worry and fear. I spent the whole day peeing yesterday. But had really bad cramps. I was drinking water more quickly than I usually do. In fact I usually don't. I really do think that I want to committ myself for my depression. My children have suffered with this from me and my oldest daughter was yelling at me last night. She says now dying is in her head too. When and if I do committ myself. My husband will have to take over the kids. He hasn't been supportive with me at all so this will be extremely hard for him to deal with. Since he just gets to come and go as he pleases.

[LivingInHope]

Worry can be detrimental to one's health and yeah, I don't think you need to worry about it.  I'm glad you seem to be feeling better about it now! :0)

[Dawnie42]

So what your saying is i really shouldn't be worried because it could be any of the supliments that I am taking or lotions or soaps that I am using. Thanks I will try not to worry so much. I think that it's time to calm down now.

[LivingInHope]

You said it says ALT- I hope you are indicating you were able to get a copy of it then?  Thanks for that.  

I have IC myself!  There is a special diet for that.  I got an informative diet page from the place where I've gotten Elmiron catheter cocktail treatments and hope you can get one too!

Regarding ALT being one point low, I have an old lab book, A Manual for Laboratory Diagnostic Tests by Frances Fischbach, 2nd edition.  It says in regards to ALT that this test is 'done primarily to diagnose liver disease',   But it also says that high concentrations of ALT happen in the liver and clinical implications are entirely listed under 'Increased levels', which means that is what is of concern when it comes to problems in the body associated with abnormal ALT, including a variety of liver problems.  

The only thing it lists about a decrease in ALT is under factors that interfere with the test.  It says:
'Salicylates  may cause decreased or increased levels.'

This site lists some things that contain salicylates:
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/salicylate-allergy

I wonder, is it possible you had taken some aspirin or eaten something that contains salicylates or used a health or beauty product that could have absorbed into your skin and possibly caused that one point low in your ALT?  

May I suggest, if you are still concerned after reading these things, you ask the doctor if for your peace of mind, with the next time he orders fasting labs, he would order an ALT level again and see how it comes out?  And it wouldn't hurt to avoid the use of any health or beauty products containing salicylates for a few days in advance of the test.

[Dawnie42]

Oh and I talked to the urologist yesterday and she said that the FISH test came back totally clear and it is like she thought I have IC.

[Dawnie42]

It says ALT

[LivingInHope]

What was the urologist visit about?  What do they think the atypical cells indicate?  It looks like they ran an expensive test on you with the FISH test, so it sounds like they weren't afraid to order tests on you, which is a plus.

Please find out which liver enzyme is a point low and let me know.

[Dawnie42]

Ok so now I got a call from my nurse from the urologist. She said that I had atypical cells with no signs of malignany. They did do a Fish test as well. Since that 1pt. Low liver enzyme should I be very worried that something is really happening. I feel like nothing is being taken seriously and I'm terrified.

[Dawnie42]

Thanks. Yes I will do that.

[LivingInHope]

May I suggest you get a copy of this lab result since you are very concerned about it?  If I could learn which enzyme it is, I might be able to tell you more.  But I hope you will take heart in that the doctor said and not worry- worry is bad for your health.  

If you are in pain, ask your doctor which medication you might be able to take which filters through your kidneys more than your liver.  You may want to ask about NSAIDs, if you don't have a previous problem with them.

[Dawnie42]

Oh and she didn't say which one. She just said that it was at a 5 and that normal range is at a 6 or higher

[Dawnie42]

Hi thanks for responding to my post. The nurse actually did call today to say that the Dr. On call did say that it was nothing to worry about. And the celiacs results came back negative. Since my normal Dr. Is on vacation she said that she would talk to him when he got back to see if he wants to retest in a month or so. I'm still worried. Cause now I'm afraid that after all I have read up on that its not filtering properly. I'm afraid to drink a beer or take anything for pain.

[LivingInHope]

Which of the enzymes specificially were low?  Was it ALT or another type?  Was she saying your liver enzyme was only 1 point low or that it was only 1 point and that was low?  Did she suggest any course of action, like the doctor wants to see you or send you to a specialist?  

Typically, when the doctor allows the nurse to call and give results over the phone, that means the doctor is unconcerned about any of your results, feeling all is fine and they didn't believe it required the kind of follow up of either a phone call to you they personally would make or having the nurse set up a follow up to go over any result of concern to them in person with you.  

I'm sorry you have had a scare and if you still have a concern, I'd recommend calling back and leaving a message that you would like the doctor personally to call and explain to you the liver enzyme result the nurse gave you.

[mammo]

Low liver enzymes usually mean your liver is just fine, it's when they're high that you need to be concerned.  If your doctor felt there was an issue they would be getting more tests scheduled for you.  Put your clothes back, you're fine.  Take care.