friendly2
06-20-2005, 07:18 PM
Hi,
I went in for a normal check up last week, and my doctor did routine blood work.
I got a phone call last Friday right before the office closed by one of the doctors in the practice (not my doctor) to tell me my liver tests were "highly abornmal". he asked me if I was feeling okay, if my skin was yellow, if I drank - all sorts of questions that made me feel like I should be gravely ill - , and I had just seen my own doctor Wednesday! anyway, he said my doctor would call me monday. (im not sure why he called, just to worry me?)
anyway the nurse in my doctor's office called today and said I should stop all tylenol, alcohol and herbal supplements. I don't drink that much at all, so that is no problem. I asked her which levels were high she said "all of them". she was not real helpful, she said to come in to the lab to have more blood drawn (I did this afternoon) and she scheduled me for an ultrasound for Wednesday morning.
I have been feeling fine, but of course reading about all sorts of asymptomatic diseases. . I remember once back in 1994 when I went in to another doctor for something else, they did my liver tests over again because they were slightly elevated. but I have had routine ones since and this is the first time this has ever happened.
Anyway, no one has said to me "you're probably fine, it's probably nothing" - but it doesn't sound like they could really know much at this point?? I haven't had any weight loss or fatigue - I walked 8 1/2 miles Saturday morning! I know this will be resolved by the end of the week, but I just wondered if the ultrasound just seems like the doctor is being thorough, or if anyone has ANY thoughts on this.. I'm trying not to freak out!
thanks! :)
I went in for a normal check up last week, and my doctor did routine blood work.
I got a phone call last Friday right before the office closed by one of the doctors in the practice (not my doctor) to tell me my liver tests were "highly abornmal". he asked me if I was feeling okay, if my skin was yellow, if I drank - all sorts of questions that made me feel like I should be gravely ill - , and I had just seen my own doctor Wednesday! anyway, he said my doctor would call me monday. (im not sure why he called, just to worry me?)
anyway the nurse in my doctor's office called today and said I should stop all tylenol, alcohol and herbal supplements. I don't drink that much at all, so that is no problem. I asked her which levels were high she said "all of them". she was not real helpful, she said to come in to the lab to have more blood drawn (I did this afternoon) and she scheduled me for an ultrasound for Wednesday morning.
I have been feeling fine, but of course reading about all sorts of asymptomatic diseases. . I remember once back in 1994 when I went in to another doctor for something else, they did my liver tests over again because they were slightly elevated. but I have had routine ones since and this is the first time this has ever happened.
Anyway, no one has said to me "you're probably fine, it's probably nothing" - but it doesn't sound like they could really know much at this point?? I haven't had any weight loss or fatigue - I walked 8 1/2 miles Saturday morning! I know this will be resolved by the end of the week, but I just wondered if the ultrasound just seems like the doctor is being thorough, or if anyone has ANY thoughts on this.. I'm trying not to freak out!
thanks! :)
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paborn
06-20-2005, 08:55 PM
They are doing the ultrasound to see if your liver looks OK. They want to rule out fatty liver or tumors etc. I had this done after having high liver enzyme readings and found out that I have a slight fatty infiltration of the liver, which I understand is not that uncommon.
happyelf
06-20-2005, 09:33 PM
Hey friendly2;
I'll say it for you--"You're probably fine" . :) High liver enzymes can be scary-esp when they come out of left field. I know what you're going thru--been there. The dr's being thorough...as paborn said they want to check for fatty liver, cysts, tumors etc which are very common and not a big deal. Most ppl that have them don't even know it as they don't usually cause any pain. You may not even have any. It could be as simple as this: Anything we eat, drink, breathe--even viruses (colds, flu--also why he was asking how you felt) and infections can cause our #'s to go up. Some drs feel vigerous exercise right before the test can elevate your #'s. The good thing is if you stop all meds/alcohol, they usually go back to the normal range after a few weeks, so don't be surprised if they want to recheck them in abt a month. When a dr you didn't even see bombards you w/all these ?'s--and asks the "are you jaundice? how do you feel?" question, your paranoia kicks in...and rightly so. They don't want to miss anything--that's a good thing. Better safe than sorry. If you have any more ?'s I'll be happy to answer--I have quite a bit of exp (as a patient) in this field--and there are many others here who are VERY knowledgable too!! Hope this helps you.
Take care..Hang in there...
HappyElf/Gina
I'll say it for you--"You're probably fine" . :) High liver enzymes can be scary-esp when they come out of left field. I know what you're going thru--been there. The dr's being thorough...as paborn said they want to check for fatty liver, cysts, tumors etc which are very common and not a big deal. Most ppl that have them don't even know it as they don't usually cause any pain. You may not even have any. It could be as simple as this: Anything we eat, drink, breathe--even viruses (colds, flu--also why he was asking how you felt) and infections can cause our #'s to go up. Some drs feel vigerous exercise right before the test can elevate your #'s. The good thing is if you stop all meds/alcohol, they usually go back to the normal range after a few weeks, so don't be surprised if they want to recheck them in abt a month. When a dr you didn't even see bombards you w/all these ?'s--and asks the "are you jaundice? how do you feel?" question, your paranoia kicks in...and rightly so. They don't want to miss anything--that's a good thing. Better safe than sorry. If you have any more ?'s I'll be happy to answer--I have quite a bit of exp (as a patient) in this field--and there are many others here who are VERY knowledgable too!! Hope this helps you.
Take care..Hang in there...
HappyElf/Gina
TheHappyMan
06-21-2005, 04:42 PM
Hi Friendly2 - Your feeling good, in good health, and all of a sudden you get this news......Sounds hard to believe ???
It's almost as though your blood sample got contaminated or possibly they mixed it up with somebody elses ??????????? :) :) :)
A retest should clear things up..........
You are probably fine... If I were you I would have asked them to postpone the ultrasound until after the results of the second blood test had come back..... An ultrasound isnt painful but they arent free either and it's a waste of your time if you dont need it.....
It's almost as though your blood sample got contaminated or possibly they mixed it up with somebody elses ??????????? :) :) :)
A retest should clear things up..........
You are probably fine... If I were you I would have asked them to postpone the ultrasound until after the results of the second blood test had come back..... An ultrasound isnt painful but they arent free either and it's a waste of your time if you dont need it.....
friendly2
06-21-2005, 08:07 PM
Thanks everyone for your answers and support. I am also a little surprised they are ordering an ultrasound so quickly - before more test results, but I know my doctor is going on vacation next week, so I guess she wanted to get everything cleared up. and for my peace of mind I guess it's good. but it does seem like an awful lot of excitement over one little test....
happyelf
06-22-2005, 02:39 AM
Well most of all, try not to worry about it--(easier said than done, I know!!) Stress can add to your situation--it can do some weird things to the body!! Sounds to me like your doc wants to clear it up before she leaves...Try to think of it that way--she doesn't want to leave you hanging. HappyMan usually suggests that you get and keep a copy of all your test results--very good advice. I'd also have them explain what all the #'s / everything means--then you can research more at home if you need to.
When is the ultrasound? Did you say they WERE going ot do add'l bloodwork also?
When is the ultrasound? Did you say they WERE going ot do add'l bloodwork also?
friendly2
06-22-2005, 05:12 PM
.. well my ultrasound was this morning, the tech said the doctor would have the results "in a day or two". I went in Monday for more blood work when the nurse called. so now I'm just waiting,and trying not to read too many internet sites on "asymptomatic liver diseases".. yikes! I feel fine, so I'm hoping for the best..
happyelf
06-22-2005, 05:30 PM
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you also. Let us know your results when you get them back. In the meantime--try not to read too much info on the net---you'll scare the crap out of yourself!! lol Hang in there.
friendly2
06-22-2005, 08:28 PM
Good news. I called my doctor's office today and they transferred me to the doctor. She said the ultrasound looked normal, I don't have any cysts or tumors or dilated bile ducts. she said my blood tests came back and my liver is "closer to nrmal" she said my AFT was at 100, My ALT was at 296, down from last' weeks high of 591, and that my AST was 96, down from last's week high of 239. So that's good right?
She said they were still waiting on some tests, some autoimmune diseases and Hepatitis, but i figure if my liver "looks" normal, then I'm probably okay - or in the early stages of something? I'm still wondering why my levels are so elevated, but I'm also relieved. She wants to check it again in a few weeks..
anyway, when she told me the levels of the aft and alt and ast, I thought "I know what those stand for!" from all my internet readings...
anyway, I guess I'm not "out of the dark" yet, but I feel much better. My doctor is a very serious person - she said "i'm very relieved" but she sounded like her usual serious self. It was hard to realize it was good news, until i'd talked to her for a while..
She said they were still waiting on some tests, some autoimmune diseases and Hepatitis, but i figure if my liver "looks" normal, then I'm probably okay - or in the early stages of something? I'm still wondering why my levels are so elevated, but I'm also relieved. She wants to check it again in a few weeks..
anyway, when she told me the levels of the aft and alt and ast, I thought "I know what those stand for!" from all my internet readings...
anyway, I guess I'm not "out of the dark" yet, but I feel much better. My doctor is a very serious person - she said "i'm very relieved" but she sounded like her usual serious self. It was hard to realize it was good news, until i'd talked to her for a while..
happyelf
06-22-2005, 10:08 PM
Friendly2
Great news!! Sounds like the dr was happy (or not--but that's a good thing for her, right?? ;) ) w/the results!! The numbers are trending down, which is what they look for. If there is liver damage from cirrhosis or you have hepatitis etc, your #'s go up high and stay up, so you're probably fine. High #'s that stay that way are the first indicator of these diseases. You may never know why your #'s were so high, b/c there are so many things that can make them go wacky. Even if you're not at risk, it's always a good thing to have the hep test and others--can't hurt. Knowledge is power-and it gives you an edge over the fear when you read up on your situation...you knew what she was talking about--you dd your homework. Glad to hear it's "so far, so good" and let us know when you get the news abt your other tests!!
Take care--Gina
Great news!! Sounds like the dr was happy (or not--but that's a good thing for her, right?? ;) ) w/the results!! The numbers are trending down, which is what they look for. If there is liver damage from cirrhosis or you have hepatitis etc, your #'s go up high and stay up, so you're probably fine. High #'s that stay that way are the first indicator of these diseases. You may never know why your #'s were so high, b/c there are so many things that can make them go wacky. Even if you're not at risk, it's always a good thing to have the hep test and others--can't hurt. Knowledge is power-and it gives you an edge over the fear when you read up on your situation...you knew what she was talking about--you dd your homework. Glad to hear it's "so far, so good" and let us know when you get the news abt your other tests!!
Take care--Gina