My Liver function test, but am still wirried! - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

gazmix · 03-13-2008, 08:52 AM

Hi
I went to my doc as i was concerned about my drinking. He sent me for a Liver test & it came back with raised GGT but ALT/AST were ok.
He told me raised GGT was not unusual, & will drop, but i told him i have an ache in my side & that i put on a fiew pounds & he said it was posture!
He also palpated me & said it felt fine.

I'm still concerned that its something overlooked! I had the test in January, so i guess that tells me it isn't Liver as i'm sure it can't have changed much since then! My drinking has stayed the same, i'm on a bottle of wine & a fiew shots a night, but have cut the beer because of weight gain!

How accurate is a Liver function test!?
Also does drinking lots of water & taking milk thistle help detox the liver after drinking alcohol?

Thanks

Gaz

feelbad · 03-13-2008, 09:51 AM

i just had a question about something that i just have to ask you? if you are that concerned about yout liver,why are you still drinking as much as you stated you are? that cannot be good if you do indeed have some level of liver problem,you know what i mean? any form of alcohol when you do have a possible liver problem can just exascerbate the problems and make them worse for you. cutting out the alcohol for like at least a month or so and see how you feel would really be a good idea at this point. one huge thing regarding any actual labs done on our organ function is that actual changes in any numbers really doesn't occur til the very real damage actually hits some particular range or point.

this 'could also be a possible gall bladder issue too or any number of upper GI issues.the one really great type of test that really should be done along with the basic labs is an ultrasound too. this just gives you the actual "look' at the organs themselves and not just going by numbers that wont change til a certain point. trust me on that one. i have both liver and kidney disease and despite the horrid looking utrasounds i have,all my numbers having to do with both organs are still(as of last month anyways)within all the normal ranges.but that US shows the very real damage to the kidneys espescially.

in you particular situation right now in trying to get to the bottom of your symptoms,an ultrasound really really would be most helpful. this will also include looking at the gallbladder too to check for flow and diameter of the duct,which if is too small,can create drainage problems. like i said,getting that type of test done when looking for a source or Dx of symptoms just really kind of 'hits' all the possibilities. this is what i would ask for if i were in your situation right now. its just a very helpful test that should be done along with the lab work anytime you are really looking for a possible GI issue. this would be called a full abdominal US. i would speak with your doc about it since he will have to refer you for it,but it just needs to be done in your particular case. and that alcohol should at least temporarily go til you actually find out what the underlying problems are. its not helping you at all right now,really. please let me know just what you find out. marcia

gazmix · 03-13-2008, 10:06 AM

I see my doc in the morning for a 2nd oppinion. The 1st doc i saw said mt liver was OK, just the raised GGT which is normal after a night out & then lowers itself!
He said my ach is a posture thing, as it don't happen when i'm walking or standing or lying down!
I will ask my doc for US, but he said my LT was ok so i didn't need one! Do i tell him he's wrong?
I drink because i'm lonely & addicted. I have tryed to stop so many times, i guess only a shock would work!
I am realy anxious about them telling me i have a disease!

greens · 03-13-2008, 03:10 PM

Why don't you do some volunteer work in your community, this would probably help you get off the alcohol as it would give something to do instead of being by yourself. Its also a great way to meet people and feel better about yourself.

gazmix · 03-15-2008, 03:29 PM

I do 2 days of voluntary work at a mental health charity in my city, i then finish & go to the bar!
I know what your saying, that i should find a distraction, but whatever i do, my running, my mountainbiking, my football, maintaining my bike, cooking, my night college, i still find time to drink!
Today i was fixing a gate of a neighbour, i loved doing it, but i had a large mug of wine with me!! I'm stumped!
I only drink after i exercise & can't before. I'm just getting to the stage where i'm losing control!

gaz