djs627
07-26-2005, 07:26 PM
I am a 30 year old male in otherwise good health. Had a physical last week and had high cholesterol and triglycerides which, unfortunately, is somewhat genetic. Cholesterol of 240, but trigs of 627. That was the worrisome number. Admittedly, I havent been eating right or exercising for about the last two years. I am marginally overweight (208 lbs - 5ft.11").
Before starting cholesterol meds, doc did enzyme test and the two numbers that came back were 28 and 67. She was bothered by the 67 and wants to retest and then do an ultrasound of the liver. I found out that my mother and her twin both have a fatty liver and my cousins were also diagnosed with this at a young age. I drink socially, but certainly not daily by any means.
Any idea? I hate the waiting game...it makes me nervous.
Before starting cholesterol meds, doc did enzyme test and the two numbers that came back were 28 and 67. She was bothered by the 67 and wants to retest and then do an ultrasound of the liver. I found out that my mother and her twin both have a fatty liver and my cousins were also diagnosed with this at a young age. I drink socially, but certainly not daily by any means.
Any idea? I hate the waiting game...it makes me nervous.
Sponsor
happyelf
07-27-2005, 10:20 PM
hey djs627
Sorry to hear abt your elevated enzymes. The waiting game IS the worst--I agree. The good news is fatty liver is fairly common-but w/that comes elevated enzymes. 67 isn't too high--the normal ranges are AST 5-40 and ALT 7- 65 -- so you're just a little out of the"normal" range. Everything we eat, drink and breathe is filtered thru our liver--and even a minor cold or flu virus can elevate those #'s. That includes OTC and prescription meds. Tylenol is a BIG culprit in elevating liver enzymes. Most ppl that have elevated #'s don't even know it until they get a physical or are being tested for some other reason.
Being predisposed to fatty liver can be genetic--but most sources say w/a better diet and exercise you can reverse it in a matter of 4-8 wks. A lot of ppl have this also and don't even know it. Mine was found when I had an abdominal ultrasound for something else. (I also have a fat cyst on my liver) I am female, 40 (38 at the time) 5'4" and 125. I don't drink very much either--rarely (I think NOT enough!! haha) But the liver is amazingly regenerative--it can reverse itself when the "offending substance" is eliminated.
It's good the doc is doing an U/S--and retesting your enzymes. They usually wait a few weeks to see if the #'s trend down at all--and tell you in the meantime to take no unnecessary meds or drink any alcohol.
Hang in there-Ask any questions you want--I'm happy to help. There are a lot of great ppl here on the boards w/a weath of information and experience.
Take care and let me know how you make out at the drs.
Sorry to hear abt your elevated enzymes. The waiting game IS the worst--I agree. The good news is fatty liver is fairly common-but w/that comes elevated enzymes. 67 isn't too high--the normal ranges are AST 5-40 and ALT 7- 65 -- so you're just a little out of the"normal" range. Everything we eat, drink and breathe is filtered thru our liver--and even a minor cold or flu virus can elevate those #'s. That includes OTC and prescription meds. Tylenol is a BIG culprit in elevating liver enzymes. Most ppl that have elevated #'s don't even know it until they get a physical or are being tested for some other reason.
Being predisposed to fatty liver can be genetic--but most sources say w/a better diet and exercise you can reverse it in a matter of 4-8 wks. A lot of ppl have this also and don't even know it. Mine was found when I had an abdominal ultrasound for something else. (I also have a fat cyst on my liver) I am female, 40 (38 at the time) 5'4" and 125. I don't drink very much either--rarely (I think NOT enough!! haha) But the liver is amazingly regenerative--it can reverse itself when the "offending substance" is eliminated.
It's good the doc is doing an U/S--and retesting your enzymes. They usually wait a few weeks to see if the #'s trend down at all--and tell you in the meantime to take no unnecessary meds or drink any alcohol.
Hang in there-Ask any questions you want--I'm happy to help. There are a lot of great ppl here on the boards w/a weath of information and experience.
Take care and let me know how you make out at the drs.
happyelf
07-27-2005, 10:21 PM
oh yea--when do you go back to the dr?
djs627
07-28-2005, 07:23 PM
Thanks for your kind reply. Unfortunately, my retest came back worse. In order to confirm the first test, they redrew the blood a week later and it was AST - 219 ALT - 133. I have no idea what drove that up in a week other then the fact that when I found out about my cholesteral and trigs, I joined a Gym the next day and exercised vigorously for the week leading up to the retest....I also starting taking a multi-vitamin and fish oil pills. Dont know if this change in exercise and addition of the supplements would have caused this sudden change to the high side in the enzymes.
Needless to say I'm still freaked out....I talked to my cousin who is a doc and she seems to think that the very high triglycerides combined with the family history of fatty liver has caused me to get fatty liver and that diet and exercise will correct it and help with the cholesterol problem. Sure hope she is right.
PS - the Hepatitis screen came back negative. I guess that's good news.
Needless to say I'm still freaked out....I talked to my cousin who is a doc and she seems to think that the very high triglycerides combined with the family history of fatty liver has caused me to get fatty liver and that diet and exercise will correct it and help with the cholesterol problem. Sure hope she is right.
PS - the Hepatitis screen came back negative. I guess that's good news.
happyelf
07-28-2005, 11:03 PM
Great news the hep is negative! They usually run a hep screen right off the bat when your #'s come up high--that's par for the course...It's just scary and you hold your breath until the result comes back. So that's one down, right?
While your numbers ARE high--it's not uncommon for ppl w/fatty liver to have #'s double or triple the normal range. Exercise WILL elevate the #'s--and if you're taking any med--vitamins, supplements etc-that will add to the elevation. Did you let the dr know abt the supps/vits & exercise? They'll probably want to retest but ask you to back off on everything for a few weeks to get an unblemished baseline. It sounds like those are contributing factors to those high #'s--above and beyond the high cholest+ trigs+ family history.
I'm glad you talked to your cousin--it's nice to have someone close, whom you trust--and is an MD to boot. I know you're still freaked out over this--I've been there. It's scary b/c this comes out of left field--and is seemingly silent. Some of us just happen to draw the short straw in this area....but the good news is it is reversible. She's right--diet and exercise will always help, and may totally reverse it, and if you stop the supps and your #'s trend back down-you know for sure they had a hand in it. I think they do---but I am biased. Some ppl here swear by them through personal experience. I just know firsthand just how quickly and easily meds(and other contributing factors) will elevate your liver #'s and wreak havoc on you.(and your nerves) Been there--my enzymes were so high the dr had never seen anyone w/#'s this high live thru it-but my liver completely regenerated itself and now my "normal" range is in the hundreds. I can still take meds if needed, and have an occasional drink if I want to(although I was never a big drinker anyway) but get checked frequently to make sure they stay around my "normal."
Hang in there--if anything else-you're exercising more-which is always a plus.
Elf
While your numbers ARE high--it's not uncommon for ppl w/fatty liver to have #'s double or triple the normal range. Exercise WILL elevate the #'s--and if you're taking any med--vitamins, supplements etc-that will add to the elevation. Did you let the dr know abt the supps/vits & exercise? They'll probably want to retest but ask you to back off on everything for a few weeks to get an unblemished baseline. It sounds like those are contributing factors to those high #'s--above and beyond the high cholest+ trigs+ family history.
I'm glad you talked to your cousin--it's nice to have someone close, whom you trust--and is an MD to boot. I know you're still freaked out over this--I've been there. It's scary b/c this comes out of left field--and is seemingly silent. Some of us just happen to draw the short straw in this area....but the good news is it is reversible. She's right--diet and exercise will always help, and may totally reverse it, and if you stop the supps and your #'s trend back down-you know for sure they had a hand in it. I think they do---but I am biased. Some ppl here swear by them through personal experience. I just know firsthand just how quickly and easily meds(and other contributing factors) will elevate your liver #'s and wreak havoc on you.(and your nerves) Been there--my enzymes were so high the dr had never seen anyone w/#'s this high live thru it-but my liver completely regenerated itself and now my "normal" range is in the hundreds. I can still take meds if needed, and have an occasional drink if I want to(although I was never a big drinker anyway) but get checked frequently to make sure they stay around my "normal."
Hang in there--if anything else-you're exercising more-which is always a plus.
Elf
djs627
08-01-2005, 01:20 PM
Thanks again for the kind support, Elf.
I have my ultrasound on Wednesday at 11:30 am and will meet my doc Thursday at 3:30 to discuss. I forgot to mention that I also took several ibuprofen the week between the first and second blood test which also might have been a contributor. At least that's what I'm hoping. I may be oversimplifying it, but the only difference between my first bloodwork and my second bloodwork a week and a half later was exercise, multivitamins, fish oil pills and 8-10 Ibuprofen. I cant think of another explanation for an increase of 4X unless one or the other was just a bad test.
On the good side, I have lost 9 lbs in the last two weeks of changing diet and exercising. Now I just have to hope I have nothing serious wrong with me...thats always the worry I guess.
I have my ultrasound on Wednesday at 11:30 am and will meet my doc Thursday at 3:30 to discuss. I forgot to mention that I also took several ibuprofen the week between the first and second blood test which also might have been a contributor. At least that's what I'm hoping. I may be oversimplifying it, but the only difference between my first bloodwork and my second bloodwork a week and a half later was exercise, multivitamins, fish oil pills and 8-10 Ibuprofen. I cant think of another explanation for an increase of 4X unless one or the other was just a bad test.
On the good side, I have lost 9 lbs in the last two weeks of changing diet and exercising. Now I just have to hope I have nothing serious wrong with me...thats always the worry I guess.
happyelf
08-02-2005, 07:43 PM
DJS
You are welcome! It can be nerve racking time-waiting for results and info--to say the least.
Good luck on the U/S tomorrow--and take advantage of the time w/your dr that day. Ask as many questions as you can!
Ibuprofen will raise liver enzymes too...so it sounds as if the combo if vitamins etc, ibu and exercise may have contributed to this. That beats hepatitis any day, huh? And the results can come back wrong too-so don't rule that out--Mine came out really wrong one time and had I not been on top of things and requested a retest-it would have affected my treatment.
You changed your diet, began to exercise, lost 9 lbs and had the crap scared out of you...all b/c of high enzymes. 3 out of those 4 were good things--not bad odds if you're healthier. ;)
Good luck tomorrow--will kepp my fingers crossed. Let me know how it goes!!
Elf
You are welcome! It can be nerve racking time-waiting for results and info--to say the least.
Good luck on the U/S tomorrow--and take advantage of the time w/your dr that day. Ask as many questions as you can!
Ibuprofen will raise liver enzymes too...so it sounds as if the combo if vitamins etc, ibu and exercise may have contributed to this. That beats hepatitis any day, huh? And the results can come back wrong too-so don't rule that out--Mine came out really wrong one time and had I not been on top of things and requested a retest-it would have affected my treatment.
You changed your diet, began to exercise, lost 9 lbs and had the crap scared out of you...all b/c of high enzymes. 3 out of those 4 were good things--not bad odds if you're healthier. ;)
Good luck tomorrow--will kepp my fingers crossed. Let me know how it goes!!
Elf
djs627
08-04-2005, 05:14 PM
Well, I just got back from the doctors and now I really don't know what to think. I had the ultrasound yesterday and the findings were perfectly normal. Not even any signs of fatty liver (which is what I was expecting was going to be the cause). This puts me back to square one. What is causing the elevation in the liver enzymes??? I don't know whether to be happy about the ultrasound or more scared that it didnt solve the problem.
They redrew blood today to have the test run once more to make sure the previous testing was not erroneous. Assuming it is still elevated, I think she is going to send me to a GI.
Any thoughts??
They redrew blood today to have the test run once more to make sure the previous testing was not erroneous. Assuming it is still elevated, I think she is going to send me to a GI.
Any thoughts??
happyelf
08-04-2005, 07:46 PM
Hey DJS--
I'm really glad your U/S was normal w/no fatty liver...even though it puts you back at square one--for which I'm sorry. (It would have sounded weird had I said "I'm sorry to hear your U/S was normal and you don't have fatty liver..." ;) but you know what I mean!!) At least you lost some weight out of this, right?
Sometimes liver enzymes go up on a fluke w/no apparent reason. Happens quite frequently. We just don't realize it b/c it's not something we can see or feel-it's number in a lab. It's good she's retesting you. If the #'s do trend down on this next test, even just a little and you're still not in the "normal" range, that's still a good thing-at least they're not going up. That's what they look for. They'd retest you agian in a month or so to make sure they don't go back up. And if it comes back elevated even more--then sending you to a GI is the right thing to do. Those guys/gals can get a feel of things by that bloodtest and your history and meds etc. They may run add'l bloodwork (more specific) and can tell just by looking at the results what's going on. The first time I saw him my liver spec told me "It's easier to tell you what it is NOT than what it IS. It's process of elimination w/the liver." I felt pretty good abt the fact that if it were something awful, they could pretty much tell right away. (tumor, cancer, cirrhosis etc) High trigs almost always are a precursor of fatty liver. (weren't you like 627?) I was also told "Fatty liver" doesn't always show up on U/S--unless there's a fat tumor (also harmless)--and the liver is not always enlarged either. Maybe this is a case where it just depends on which dr or what type of dr you talk to. :confused: Do you have any gallbladder problems? Any colds, flu? Just wondering... When is your next bloodtest? Ok-I'm done w/the inquisiton right now...sometimes I just babble....ignore it.
Even though you feel like you've taken two steps back again, you're really still moving forward. Hang in there...
Gina
I'm really glad your U/S was normal w/no fatty liver...even though it puts you back at square one--for which I'm sorry. (It would have sounded weird had I said "I'm sorry to hear your U/S was normal and you don't have fatty liver..." ;) but you know what I mean!!) At least you lost some weight out of this, right?
Sometimes liver enzymes go up on a fluke w/no apparent reason. Happens quite frequently. We just don't realize it b/c it's not something we can see or feel-it's number in a lab. It's good she's retesting you. If the #'s do trend down on this next test, even just a little and you're still not in the "normal" range, that's still a good thing-at least they're not going up. That's what they look for. They'd retest you agian in a month or so to make sure they don't go back up. And if it comes back elevated even more--then sending you to a GI is the right thing to do. Those guys/gals can get a feel of things by that bloodtest and your history and meds etc. They may run add'l bloodwork (more specific) and can tell just by looking at the results what's going on. The first time I saw him my liver spec told me "It's easier to tell you what it is NOT than what it IS. It's process of elimination w/the liver." I felt pretty good abt the fact that if it were something awful, they could pretty much tell right away. (tumor, cancer, cirrhosis etc) High trigs almost always are a precursor of fatty liver. (weren't you like 627?) I was also told "Fatty liver" doesn't always show up on U/S--unless there's a fat tumor (also harmless)--and the liver is not always enlarged either. Maybe this is a case where it just depends on which dr or what type of dr you talk to. :confused: Do you have any gallbladder problems? Any colds, flu? Just wondering... When is your next bloodtest? Ok-I'm done w/the inquisiton right now...sometimes I just babble....ignore it.
Even though you feel like you've taken two steps back again, you're really still moving forward. Hang in there...
Gina
djs627
08-04-2005, 08:00 PM
Thanks again elf, for the reply. Whether you know it or not, you are always comforting when nobody else I talk to can relate (even though they try to provide comfort).
I'm a pretty analytical guy and I am just trying to figure out what this could be. I was almost hoping the U/S would indicate fatty liver so I would know what the problem was. Since it came back normal, I worry if it is something more serious.
My doc said that I otherwise seem to be too healthy for her to think it is anything serious, but I still can't stop worrying. I guess there is a chance today's test could come back normal but it seems doubtful. Of course it seemed doubtful that the tests would go from from 29/67 to 137/219 over the course of a week either so who knows.
To your other questions, no I havent had cold or flu lately nor have I had anything to drink in probably a month. The only real recent change in my lifestyle has been a pretty drastic change in diet and an increase in exercise and weight training (as well as adding a multi and omega three pills to daily diet). Don't know if that would lead to the numbers I saw or not.
Guess I am back to square one which is really not a fun place to be.
I'm a pretty analytical guy and I am just trying to figure out what this could be. I was almost hoping the U/S would indicate fatty liver so I would know what the problem was. Since it came back normal, I worry if it is something more serious.
My doc said that I otherwise seem to be too healthy for her to think it is anything serious, but I still can't stop worrying. I guess there is a chance today's test could come back normal but it seems doubtful. Of course it seemed doubtful that the tests would go from from 29/67 to 137/219 over the course of a week either so who knows.
To your other questions, no I havent had cold or flu lately nor have I had anything to drink in probably a month. The only real recent change in my lifestyle has been a pretty drastic change in diet and an increase in exercise and weight training (as well as adding a multi and omega three pills to daily diet). Don't know if that would lead to the numbers I saw or not.
Guess I am back to square one which is really not a fun place to be.
happyelf
08-05-2005, 12:00 AM
Thanks for the kind words--I'm here anytime you want to talk. It's not that your friends/family don't/doesn't care, it's just harder for them to empathize when 1)there's nothing yet "definite" to be the cause of this...you're still being tested, and 2) it's not something they can "see" on the outside and you look/act healthy-even losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Generally speaking, most ppl, until they're told they have high enzymes, probably don't even know what they are and that the potential for a serious illness can result. Worrying abt is is no fun, you're right, but it's normal. You were hit out of left field with this--that's scary.
I know what you mean abt hoping they found fatty liver--that's why I jokingly said I was sorry to hear your U/S came up clean...lol. This "waiting game" is the WORST!! You just want to find what it is so you can move on to the next step--whatever it may be. One thing is for sure-a tumor or mass would have shown up on the U/S...so that's good that nothing was there. We can put a man on the moon-or in a satelite-have him go OUT ON A TETHER and FIX the ship--but we can't go one better in the "process of elimination" when it comes to our liver. Amazing.
What did your dr say when you mentioned you were taking multi and omega three pills? Did she take that into account? Any vita/mins or supplements will elevate the #'s. Did she mention your high trig #'s being a contributing factor?
I know the way I talk abt my drs sounds rather arrogant, like their word is gold cut in stone. I am rather biased--one of them basically saved my life when my liver failed and the other took care of me during my time on the transplant wait list--and determined when I didn't need to have the transplant. So, where I stand, by virtue of the fact I'm here today, I believe every word they tell me IS the gospel. :)
If they call you tomorrow w/the results--post when you get a sec. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they're trending down.
Good Luck!!
G
I know what you mean abt hoping they found fatty liver--that's why I jokingly said I was sorry to hear your U/S came up clean...lol. This "waiting game" is the WORST!! You just want to find what it is so you can move on to the next step--whatever it may be. One thing is for sure-a tumor or mass would have shown up on the U/S...so that's good that nothing was there. We can put a man on the moon-or in a satelite-have him go OUT ON A TETHER and FIX the ship--but we can't go one better in the "process of elimination" when it comes to our liver. Amazing.
What did your dr say when you mentioned you were taking multi and omega three pills? Did she take that into account? Any vita/mins or supplements will elevate the #'s. Did she mention your high trig #'s being a contributing factor?
I know the way I talk abt my drs sounds rather arrogant, like their word is gold cut in stone. I am rather biased--one of them basically saved my life when my liver failed and the other took care of me during my time on the transplant wait list--and determined when I didn't need to have the transplant. So, where I stand, by virtue of the fact I'm here today, I believe every word they tell me IS the gospel. :)
If they call you tomorrow w/the results--post when you get a sec. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they're trending down.
Good Luck!!
G
djs627
08-05-2005, 12:16 PM
One more tidbit of info. I went back and pulled the bloodwork I had taken in June of 2003 for a life insurance physical. At that time, my cholesterol was moderately high....trigs were 524...pretty consistent. However, AST was 21 and ALT was 31. I'm starting to think (and hope) that this most recent series of tests are anomolies and that things might start trending back to normal. I guess I'll find out more hopefully today.
djs627
08-05-2005, 01:40 PM
Finally some good news to report.....the retest came back as follows: AST - 29 ALT - 45. Oh so close to the normal range of 0-40. I assume this is good news and is indicative that whatever was going on in my body during the last test is taking its course.
Now seems like the whole thing might have been a false alarm...at least that's what I'm hoping. In the big scheme of things, it might end up being a net positive. I am eating better, losing weight, exercising and I have a greater appreciation and sympathy for what many on this board are going through. Not to mention the willingness of so many others to provide support and caring to perfect strangers. There are, indeed, good people left in the world!
Now seems like the whole thing might have been a false alarm...at least that's what I'm hoping. In the big scheme of things, it might end up being a net positive. I am eating better, losing weight, exercising and I have a greater appreciation and sympathy for what many on this board are going through. Not to mention the willingness of so many others to provide support and caring to perfect strangers. There are, indeed, good people left in the world!
happyelf
08-05-2005, 03:05 PM
GREAT NEWS!! :bouncing: So glad to hear it--now you can exhale!
The values my center uses are AST 5-45 ALT 5-60....so where I come from, you're in normal range. Since your lab uses 40, are you having a repeat test in a month? It was very smart keeping that 2003 paperwork--that can be used as a baseline if needed. Many ppl on this board suggest keeping a copy of every test.
Even tho this was probably a false alarm, all was not lost. You learned from this.
Keep up the good work on your diet and exercise and hopefully your choles and trigs will follow suit. YEEAAAHHH!!!!!
The values my center uses are AST 5-45 ALT 5-60....so where I come from, you're in normal range. Since your lab uses 40, are you having a repeat test in a month? It was very smart keeping that 2003 paperwork--that can be used as a baseline if needed. Many ppl on this board suggest keeping a copy of every test.
Even tho this was probably a false alarm, all was not lost. You learned from this.
Keep up the good work on your diet and exercise and hopefully your choles and trigs will follow suit. YEEAAAHHH!!!!!