Follow up from last post,do I need to be concerned?

[mezzy]

Hi
Have now had another set of Liver Function blood test results:
Alt - 81
ast - 49
albumin - 43
total protein - 78
globulin - 35
total bilirubin - 7
alk phosphate - 346
esr - 42
crp - 15
cholesterol - 4.8
These were recent results 6 weeks ago and i had more done today which i will get results of next week.
Are these results just consistant meaning i have a fatty liver or do they suggest something more sinister like autoimune hepititis or cirroriss or anything else????
I also suffer from osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis with facet joint involement - could this have any relation to liver results? My smooth muscle blood test results have also been up too
Doctor (gp) said depending on results this time he may have to put me on steroids - why is this? and what for?
I dont have an apptointment until march 2009 to see liver consultant again - should i be asking to see him sooner?
Thanks so much in anticipation for any answers you can give me.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

the liver test profile can be totally consisitent with fatty liver.  before putting you on steroids i would check a liver biospy.  the fatty liver is associated with OA only if the person is very overweight.  fatty liver can be associated with low levels of autoimmune markers in about 30-40% of the time.

[mezzy]

Thanks for answering, I appreciate it and will update you when I know anything else. M

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

fatty liver should cause an elevation in ESR and CRP.  A small hemagioma should not preclude a liver biopsy especially if it is in the left lobe.  It can be performed with ultrasound guidance if the biopsy was strongly indicated.

[mezzy]

Hi again
I seem to remember that my liver consultant said I would'nt be able to have a liver biopsy as i have a hemangioma (knot of blood vessels) in the left lobe of liver - is this true? and how else can i be checked then?
Also if i have fatty liver can this be cause of esr and crp test results being higher? Thanks