Went in last week for blood tests (to check for diabetes). Got a call this morning saying they want to take tests again because of extremely high levels of enzymes in the liver.
I had surgery a year ago, and remembered in the surgical notes the doctor said there were "nodes" on my liver, but they didn't seem inflamed or anything. Almost like they were dried up (according to the gastro doc). And now I get this.
What does this mean? Is this cirrohsis, Hepatitis C, or what ?
Tayah
Last edited by Tayah; 07-05-2005 at 08:56 AM.
Reason: instant email notification
Hi Tayah
So you've joined us in the high liver enzymes club, huh? First of all, this is common and the numbers go back down on their own most of the time. (mine were in the high 1000's and are back down to closer to normal-I don't have hep or cirrhosis) Having high liver enzyme #'s doesn't necessarily mean you have Hep or cirrhosis. Everything we eat, drink and breathe goes thru our liver-so many things can elevate the #'s. Any cold, flus, or virus will make them go up also. Abt the 'nodes'--if they didn't do anything abt them last yr they are probably fatty cysts (sometimes called fatty tumors) or hemangiomas. They are very common-most ppl have them and don't even know it.
Do you take any meds? Even OTC's (esp tylenol) will raise your #'s. If your bloodwork comes back high again your dr may want you to d/c any unnecessary meds, stop all alcohol intake (I was a glass of wine a month drinker--if that) & do an ultrasound just to look at the "nodes"--that's how they diagnose fatty liver/fatty cysts/tumors and hemangiomas. Birth Control pills contribute to hemangiomas--they are little pockets of blood on the liver that can "dry up" as you said. Most ppl that find they have them are being checked for something else when these are found. They rarely remove them-may check them every yr or so to see if they've changed size. Let me know how things go for you. If you have any other ?'s I can answer I will--there are a lot of other GREAT ppl here w/alot of good info too!
HappyELf/Gina
Hi Tayah
So you've joined us in the high liver enzymes club, huh? First of all, this is common and the numbers go back down on their own most of the time. (mine were in the high 1000's and are back down to closer to normal-I don't have hep or cirrhosis) Having high liver enzyme #'s doesn't necessarily mean you have Hep or cirrhosis. Everything we eat, drink and breathe goes thru our liver-so many things can elevate the #'s. Any cold, flus, or virus will make them go up also. Abt the 'nodes'--if they didn't do anything abt them last yr they are probably fatty cysts (sometimes called fatty tumors) or hemangiomas. They are very common-most ppl have them and don't even know it.
Do you take any meds? Even OTC's (esp tylenol) will raise your #'s. If your bloodwork comes back high again your dr may want you to d/c any unnecessary meds, stop all alcohol intake (I was a glass of wine a month drinker--if that) & do an ultrasound just to look at the "nodes"--that's how they diagnose fatty liver/fatty cysts/tumors and hemangiomas. Birth Control pills contribute to hemangiomas--they are little pockets of blood on the liver that can "dry up" as you said. Most ppl that find they have them are being checked for something else when these are found. They rarely remove them-may check them every yr or so to see if they've changed size. Let me know how things go for you. If you have any other ?'s I can answer I will--there are a lot of other GREAT ppl here w/alot of good info too!
HappyELf/Gina
I'm so glad you wrote me! I've been freaking all morning, reading Webmd about this, trying to keep calm. The site said that prior to 1990, people who had surgeries (in particular C-section moms- I had three - were high risk for hepititis C, along with people who did a lot of drinking, and other things.) Dr. C. Everett Koop says that Hep C and Cirohsis were silent epidemics, and will surpass HIV in the next five years in the critical/death stage. Very informative, very scary.
Anyway,I'm not taking any meds right now, and these are my vits:
B-complex
B-12 - 2500mcg 3x a week
Vit c
calcium citrate (2000mg)
Omega 3
Magnesium
Potassium
90g of protein
You see, I had gastric bypass surgery, so even though I haven't had to take ANY of my asthma, high blood pressure, beta blockers, etc. since the day I went into surgery, I do have to keep up with my vitamins.
You're welcome-!! I know how scary it is--been there. I know you want to figure all of this out as soon as you can, but try not to read too much on the internet--it will scare the crap out of you! As the info you got from your bloodwork is overwhelming-so the the internet info on liver enzymes. Stess will make your #'s go up also. I know--it's like, "great, I'm freaked out abt high numbers, but stress can make them go up even more!! Now what?" It's hard to do, but try and relax--and stay away fromt he net until you talk to your dr!
Yes- you have to keep up with your vitamins. Based on what you take and why your dr will have to determine if they are a contributing factor. Bless you for having 3 c-sections!! Compared to that, this is nothing!! LOL I have 3 kids-2 are twins- each was 6 + lbs and 8 wks early. Mine were not c-section tho-you gals that do that then come home to take care of the baby are my heros!! :-)
I'm so glad you wrote me! I've been freaking all morning, reading Webmd about this, trying to keep calm. The site said that prior to 1990, people who had surgeries (in particular C-section moms- I had three - were high risk for hepititis C, along with people who did a lot of drinking, and other things.) Dr. C. Everett Koop says that Hep C and Cirohsis were silent epidemics, and will surpass HIV in the next five years in the critical/death stage. Very informative, very scary.
Anyway,I'm not taking any meds right now, and these are my vits:
B-complex
B-12 - 2500mcg 3x a week
Vit c
calcium citrate (2000mg)
Omega 3
Magnesium
Potassium
90g of protein
You see, I had gastric bypass surgery, so even though I haven't had to take ANY of my asthma, high blood pressure, beta blockers, etc. since the day I went into surgery, I do have to keep up with my vitamins.
I'll let you know what happens, and thanks alot.
The Vitamins are great for you but not known to lower liver enzymes...
If you are interested in trying, try some over the counter supplements to lower your enzymes....
Things like Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Artichoke Root, Burdock Root, Schizandra, Lecithin, and Alpha Lipoic Acid.... My AST dived from 147 to 27 and the ALT from 71 to 17 in about six months...... (All other enzymes are well in normal ranges).... Oh well, it worked for me....
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