Midnight1020
06-30-2005, 10:54 AM
I am 27 and have drank for about 7.5 years (average 6-7 beers a night). I felt fine and had a routine physical. The blood work indicated the following:
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
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greeneyes100
07-07-2005, 04:25 PM
I am 27 and have drank for about 7.5 years (average 6-7 beers a night). I felt fine and had a routine physical. The blood work indicated the following:
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
All heavy drinkers get fatty liver, but it's completely reversible if you quit drinking. It can lead to cirrhosis, but not always. Only about one-third of heavy drinkers go on to develop cirrhosis. But why take the chance?
I'm a little concerned about my liver because I have been drinking heavily on and off for at least 20 years! I'm don't understand how I never got cirrhosis,and actually, the last time I had my liver checked, it was normal! It's really hard to understand because of all the drinking I have done. About three pints of vodka three or four times per week and at one time even more than that. As a matter of fact, I was drinking about that much last time I had my liver checked and I didn't hear anything, so I'm guessing everything was normal.
I'm know I must at least have fatty liver, so I'm going to quit for awhile and just cut back to drinking one or two drinks occasionally. I was drinking a lot due to depression, but now that I'm on antidepressants, I don't feel the need to self medicate.
Also, I take milk thistle and a lot of vitamins, so that might have something to do with the reason my enzymes were normal. I just don't understand how some people can get cirrhosis so easily and others can drink more and never get it. I heard of one man who lived to be 100 years old and he drank a pint of vodka per day!
What gives??? :confused:
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
All heavy drinkers get fatty liver, but it's completely reversible if you quit drinking. It can lead to cirrhosis, but not always. Only about one-third of heavy drinkers go on to develop cirrhosis. But why take the chance?
I'm a little concerned about my liver because I have been drinking heavily on and off for at least 20 years! I'm don't understand how I never got cirrhosis,and actually, the last time I had my liver checked, it was normal! It's really hard to understand because of all the drinking I have done. About three pints of vodka three or four times per week and at one time even more than that. As a matter of fact, I was drinking about that much last time I had my liver checked and I didn't hear anything, so I'm guessing everything was normal.
I'm know I must at least have fatty liver, so I'm going to quit for awhile and just cut back to drinking one or two drinks occasionally. I was drinking a lot due to depression, but now that I'm on antidepressants, I don't feel the need to self medicate.
Also, I take milk thistle and a lot of vitamins, so that might have something to do with the reason my enzymes were normal. I just don't understand how some people can get cirrhosis so easily and others can drink more and never get it. I heard of one man who lived to be 100 years old and he drank a pint of vodka per day!
What gives??? :confused:
happyelf
07-09-2005, 12:25 PM
Midnight-Your numbers are w/in the normal ranges (ast 5-40 alt 5-65). Try not to look up symptoms on the internet-you'll only freak yourself out more. I know it's hard, but try go with it for a month-w/minimal beer intake-and see what happens when you go back for more bloodwork. I think you're fine but it's enough to scare the socks off you, isn't it?
Most ppl get elevated liver enzymes (and/or fatty liver) at some point in their life and don't even know it. They pop up during a routine exam-just like yours. Sometimes the #'s double or triple...even then the dr will usually wait a month or so and re-check them. Everything we eat,drink, and breathe is filtered thru our liver, so any meds we take will effect it. Also-any cold, flu or virus or illness (even a lot of strenuous exercise)can add to the elevation. Usually the dr will ask abt any OTC's you take also-specifically acetaminophen(tylenol) b/c that can easily cause high #'s. It's reversible-when you stop taking the med your #'s will go down. My #'s were sky high--in the 1000's from taking acet and they came back down.
Why some ppl get cirrhosis and some don't is just one of those things...it may have to do w/genetic makeup or predisposition--or also other things your liver has taken on over the course of the years.
Hang in there--let us know how your labs come back.
Most ppl get elevated liver enzymes (and/or fatty liver) at some point in their life and don't even know it. They pop up during a routine exam-just like yours. Sometimes the #'s double or triple...even then the dr will usually wait a month or so and re-check them. Everything we eat,drink, and breathe is filtered thru our liver, so any meds we take will effect it. Also-any cold, flu or virus or illness (even a lot of strenuous exercise)can add to the elevation. Usually the dr will ask abt any OTC's you take also-specifically acetaminophen(tylenol) b/c that can easily cause high #'s. It's reversible-when you stop taking the med your #'s will go down. My #'s were sky high--in the 1000's from taking acet and they came back down.
Why some ppl get cirrhosis and some don't is just one of those things...it may have to do w/genetic makeup or predisposition--or also other things your liver has taken on over the course of the years.
Hang in there--let us know how your labs come back.
TheHappyMan
07-09-2005, 05:51 PM
I am 27 and have drank for about 7.5 years (average 6-7 beers a night). I felt fine and had a routine physical. The blood work indicated the following:
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
Hi Midnight1020 -
Another voice of support here.... Your numbers, if high at all, are only slightly elevated. (the Bilirubin is totally Normal and the Triglycerides are just a little high).
I wouldnt worry at all. If you have stopped drinking for 3 weeks already there is a VERY HIGH PROBABILITY that your next test will come back with lower, normal numbers.
Also taking Milk Thistle, and some other things like Dandelion Root, and Alpha Lipoic Acid can lower your liver enzymes rapidly. :) :) :)
ALT 63
AST 40
Bilirubin .5
Triglycerides 240, but cholesterol normal
The doc said that we will just test again in a month. A few days later after looking at all the stuff on the internet I was freaking out and went back to the doctor sure that I had cirrhosis (thought I had every symptom). He talked to me and said that in all likelihood, with the drinking, I probably have fatty liver. I left feeling better, but then I started thinking, "Could I have cirrhosis in the early stages?" I also occasionally feel a pins and needles feeling faintly behind my ribs, in the front and then sometimes in the back and then kind of in my arms. I figure I either have cirrhosis or fatty liver (which can be cured) with a side of nervous tension.
And yes, I have not drank a thing now in 3 weeks, and you couldn't force me to drink a beer.
Hi Midnight1020 -
Another voice of support here.... Your numbers, if high at all, are only slightly elevated. (the Bilirubin is totally Normal and the Triglycerides are just a little high).
I wouldnt worry at all. If you have stopped drinking for 3 weeks already there is a VERY HIGH PROBABILITY that your next test will come back with lower, normal numbers.
Also taking Milk Thistle, and some other things like Dandelion Root, and Alpha Lipoic Acid can lower your liver enzymes rapidly. :) :) :)
Midnight1020
07-11-2005, 09:18 AM
Thanks to everyone for your responses. I will post my results when I get them, I should take the blood test late in July. Summer picnics without beer have definitely been different, but I still haven't touched a drop. Hopefully everything is good, but I think I learned a lesson regardless. Thanks, again.
crrc61
07-20-2005, 05:04 PM
I am concerned about my sister who is 27, she has severe pancreatitis and is in the hospital now due to her liver function not doing well. she has been heavily sedated since saturday and doesnt know what is going on. she was a big drinker and im not sure if she is going to make it. she has signs of cirrohsis but the docs havent said that but with research i know she has cirrohsis and i think they are sedating her to die. it makes me mad cause they say they are doing it for other reasons but when will they bring her back to grounds. not sure if it is right to vent on this here but i am. any one know anyone or been through this themselves??? it is very frustrating. thanks
Midnight1020
08-05-2005, 06:08 PM
Hello Everyone,
In my previous post I indicated that I would post my test results when I got them. Well....I got them....and here they are.
AST 28
ALT 45
All others in the LFT they said were normal.
That is after about 1.5 months without drinking a drop. So I guess this is a good sign. They are going to check again in 3 months. Does anyone have any insight as to if the levels dropping as much as they did in a month and a half is normal...fast...slow? I would appreciate any other insight anyone might have as well. I think that what I am going to take from this is that "Moderation is your friend." Moving forward I think that I will make beer a 3 time a month thing rather than a nightly thing. I know that no beer would be better, but I do like beer. Do you think this would be a reasonable path to take at this point? Thanks again to everyone.
In my previous post I indicated that I would post my test results when I got them. Well....I got them....and here they are.
AST 28
ALT 45
All others in the LFT they said were normal.
That is after about 1.5 months without drinking a drop. So I guess this is a good sign. They are going to check again in 3 months. Does anyone have any insight as to if the levels dropping as much as they did in a month and a half is normal...fast...slow? I would appreciate any other insight anyone might have as well. I think that what I am going to take from this is that "Moderation is your friend." Moving forward I think that I will make beer a 3 time a month thing rather than a nightly thing. I know that no beer would be better, but I do like beer. Do you think this would be a reasonable path to take at this point? Thanks again to everyone.
happyelf
08-06-2005, 02:13 PM
Glad to hear the good news, Midnight! Anytime your #'s go back down it's a great sign!! While moderation is your friend, you're not alone in that. Our livers just can't metabolize a lot of alcohol that quickly--same as OTC meds-that's why they tell you to take them OTC's 4 or 6 hrs apart...It's safe to take a higher amt over a longer period of time--not safe to take it all at once.
I know it was hard to abstain totally during this time of year-with all the picnics and summer enticements...so you should be proud of yourself!! Did your dr say it was ok for you to have a few beers during this next 3 mo period? Some tell you not to drink any alcohol at all, so they can get a clear value. I'd check w/him/her. Normally w/your #'s being on the "lower edge of the high side" drinking 3x a month would be conservative and drinking a couple of beers a little more often wouldn't make a big difference.
Also-- Your #'s falling that much that quickly is totally normal. That's just yor liver regenerating itself.
Congrats again!!
I know it was hard to abstain totally during this time of year-with all the picnics and summer enticements...so you should be proud of yourself!! Did your dr say it was ok for you to have a few beers during this next 3 mo period? Some tell you not to drink any alcohol at all, so they can get a clear value. I'd check w/him/her. Normally w/your #'s being on the "lower edge of the high side" drinking 3x a month would be conservative and drinking a couple of beers a little more often wouldn't make a big difference.
Also-- Your #'s falling that much that quickly is totally normal. That's just yor liver regenerating itself.
Congrats again!!
Midnight1020
11-11-2005, 06:20 PM
I wanted to give an update and get some opinions.
About 2 weeks ago I started feeling tired during the day and a little dizzy. Of course I started worrying again, which led to nausea, etc. (you can see my history at the beginning of this post).
I went to the doctor to tell him about my symptoms and after talking to him he asked me to have blood labs again. I asked him if I could have an ultrasound so that I could really know where I stand.
It has really, really been on my mind and it is like all that I have been thinking about. Here are the results of the labs that I just had done. I know that a lot of times labs can be normal even if a person has cirrhosis. With these results do you think that it could indicate early stage cirrhosis? Just looking for some opinions.
Albumin 5.0
Alk Phos 44
Dir Bilirubin .2
GGT 40
AST 24
ALT 40
Tot Bilirubin .9
Protein 7.6
SEG 73
LYMPH 20
Monocyte 5
WBC Count 8.4
RBC Count 5.55
Hemoglobin 16.4
Hematocrit 47.9
MCV 86.3
MCH 29.5
MCHC 34.2
RDW 12.4
Platelet 265
MPV 11.9
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
About 2 weeks ago I started feeling tired during the day and a little dizzy. Of course I started worrying again, which led to nausea, etc. (you can see my history at the beginning of this post).
I went to the doctor to tell him about my symptoms and after talking to him he asked me to have blood labs again. I asked him if I could have an ultrasound so that I could really know where I stand.
It has really, really been on my mind and it is like all that I have been thinking about. Here are the results of the labs that I just had done. I know that a lot of times labs can be normal even if a person has cirrhosis. With these results do you think that it could indicate early stage cirrhosis? Just looking for some opinions.
Albumin 5.0
Alk Phos 44
Dir Bilirubin .2
GGT 40
AST 24
ALT 40
Tot Bilirubin .9
Protein 7.6
SEG 73
LYMPH 20
Monocyte 5
WBC Count 8.4
RBC Count 5.55
Hemoglobin 16.4
Hematocrit 47.9
MCV 86.3
MCH 29.5
MCHC 34.2
RDW 12.4
Platelet 265
MPV 11.9
Any thoughts would be appreciated.