high count liver

[norma38]

My primary doctor has done numerous liver blood count, each time this is done the results are high liver count.  He has order a ultrasound of the liver and results are that is slightly enlarged but not to worry.  I have gained alot of weight, energy is low  and menstral cycle us irregular.

[Myown]

Hi Norma,

If you mean your  liver enzymes are high, the FIRST thing ANY doctor should rule out is the possibility of the patient having HEPATITUS C.  

As a matter of fact, you should get a "hepatitus panel" to test for hep A, B AND C.

your doctor or ANY doctor should test for hepatitus when they see elevated enzymes because there is a HEPATITUS C EPIDEMIC......For some reason MANY doctors don't seem to be aware of this!!!!  I know most people aren't aware, but I would EXPECT that by NOW, ALL doctors would have a clue.

As a person who has hepatitus C and who DOES NOT fit the PROFILE that these doctors have in their head, it upsets me that I read so many posts in the gastro forum and Liver disease Forum of people who have high liver enzymes and the doctors give answers such as "well, the enzymes are high, so we will keep an eye on them."
That is insane......Please know that I am only saying this in order to give you a heads up and also make other members on this forum aware of the problem with many doctors being totally ignorant to the Epidemic that is out there.

Please insist on getting tested for hepatitus C - also A and B.  It is no longer just a drug addicts disease. If you have ever been to a nail salon, you may have put yourself at risk if someone like me who didn't know they had hepc at the time had a manicure, got cut, bled, and then the manicurist put the nippers in barbicide. Barbicide DOES NOT KILL HEPATITUS C and hepc lives outside the body for a long time.

Sorry if I am making you nervous, but I am hoping that everyone that reads this gets nervous enough to go get tested - even if their enzymes are totally normal and thats only because I would not want to see someone find out too late. HepC is called the "Silent Killer" and sometimes people don't have any symptoms until they need a liver transplant.

So anyway, I don't tell people in 'real life' that I have hepatitus C because of the stigma that is attached to the disease, but I have made up my mind that if I have to go to forums outside of the Hepatitus Forum to help bring awareness of this Epidemic then that is what I will do.

I hope you get tested and I hope you find out that you don't have hepatitus. There are other reasons that enzymes can elevate on occasion and it doesn't necessarily mean it is always something serious.

BTW, a "Hepatologist," liver specialist is the best type of doctor to see for any liver problem. They are found at the larger teaching hospitals.
I wish you well.
Take care,
MO

[norma38]

Thanks for your information, and Yes I have been tested for all types of hepatitus just to be on the save side, and they all came out fine.  The doctor even did an ultrasound it came out the the liver is a little enlarged so he thinks this is the reason, but tells me that is not a big deal.   Sorry to hear that you are not in good health I also wish you well.

Norma38

[Myown]

I am so happy to hear that you have been tested for hepatitus and that you do NOT have it. That's wonderful! And thanks for wishing me well. Hopefully this time the treatment will work. Last time was a disappointment, the virus came back. Treating for a longer time this round and hopefully that will do the trick this time.

Nice talking to you Norma,
MO