Liver enzymes

[tasham03]

Hello, I am a first time user to this forum.

In October I noticed a change of color in my urine...it was orange, and I was always feeling lethargic and dehydrated. I went to see a physician and there were no cultures in my urine...no burning...etc. So, it was not a common urinary tract infection. However they gave me antibiotics to take anyway. I took them and they did absolutely nothing. I continued to drink roughly a gallon of water per day. When it still was not clearing on its own I decided to visit another practitioner. This time, I went on new years eve 2009. She as well did not find anything unusual other than the color was very dark. She decided to take it another step and drew blood for testing my kidneys and liver. A few hours later she called me to send me to the emergency room for more thorough testing. My liver enzyme levels were ALT-1,393 and AST-830. Since then I have had several blood tests, Ultra sound, liver biopsy...and no answers. My ultra sound was negative. I have inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver, but nothing predominant...The GI doc said that the toxin levels in my liver were very high and he thinks that is why I am having trouble with my liver. Today they have gone down to ALT- 626 and AST-415. I have been experiencing new symptoms since the levels have dropped. I am now getting pain in my liver, where I was not before. I also get headaches every time I eat or if I eat gluten products and every time I do something slightly active...clean house...grocery shopping...or even driving I get nauseous and lightheaded. I have been on a raw vegan diet for a few months along with being very active in food combination therapy to ease the digestion process. Could this be making my levels go down so rapidly?

I am just wondering why I am having more symptoms now than when my enzyme levels were severely elevated. Is this normal to be experiencing this type of pain and weakness when technically my liver is healing?

Thank you for reading this and I hope some of you can help to answer my concern.

[tasham03]

Thank you for your reassurance. The GI doc said that I tested Positive for Hep A antibodies, so it could be that I had a relapse, and along with drinking alcohol with friends on the weekends caused irritation.

[aMom21]

The only thing that I have read is that liver enzyme levels can drop when damage is no longer occuring.  It does not necessarily correlate with symptoms caused by damage already done.  Did they give you a cause for the cirrhosis and inflammation?  If the cause is eliminated, your will improve over time.  I wish I had more advice for you but there is a lot of good information and support groups on the internet.

Take care!

[tasham03]

Yes, I did have a biopsy and an ultrasound. They found that i had a bit of cirrhosis or scarring of my liver and I was diagnosed with hepatitis...inflammation of my liver. What I am asking exactly is that my enzyme levels have dropped by 1/2 of what they were and yet I am experiencing symptoms that are worse now at a lower enzyme level than when they were astronomically high. I am also having low kidney function as well...

[aMom21]

I guess I am just confused, in your first post you stated that you had an ultra sound and liver biopsy and no answers but then you stated that you have liver inflammation and cirrhosis.  Were you diagnosed with cirrhosis?  It can cause all the symptoms you have listed.

[tasham03]

The tests I have had run that are high or low include:

1/14/2010-

BUN- Low-5
Bilirubin- High- 2.0
ALT- High- 1,393
AST- High- 830
Ferritin- High- 356.8
Iron Level- High- 241
% Iron Saturation- High- 58.9
Gamma Globulin- High- 1.72
PT-Patient- High- 13.7
PT-INR-High-1.31
Immunoglobulin A-High-409
Immunoglobulin G-High-1850

I have also been tested for all forms of Hepatitis and none have been positive, as well as I had a hemochromatosis lab ran that also came back negative.
The biopsy did not show anything significant either...The doctor does not seem to know what the exact cause is...its kind of frightening. If you would like to see more test results I will be happy to provide them with the date.

Thank You

[aMom21]

Did you just find out your liver is swollen and that you have cirrhosis or did you just find out?  Did they check you for viral hepititis?