Concern over liver function test

[Lemur200]

I was taken to hospital in mid-October with heart MI and had an angiogram two days later. This showed no problems with the arteries. I was discharged with statins and other medication pending an MRI. I'm still waiting for the MRI and my consultant appointment is not until mid-April. I have just had the results of my blood test for liver function and there is a problem with that, the GP reception has offered a telephone appointment to discuss the results in four weeks time. I've approached the hospital PALS twice just to get some idea of how long I should expect to wait for an MRI, but have had no response. I'm going to go back to the GP to get a more timely appointment. However, it feels like once the initial crisis is over, I have been mostly left to get on with things with very little information or input.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

When we are on medications they can affect our liver and so on why we usually will be asked to have regular blood tests because if they are they can stop them and look at other options

It can be quite a shock when some of your tests come back and you are told they are not as they should be but try not to worry it could be something simple like needing to stop a med and change it

I would for your piece of mind see if you can get to speak to the Doctor sooner and if it helps even though your liver function needs looking at if it was really serious it usually will be flagged up and the Doctor on the phone straight away

Let us know how you get on x

[Happyrosie]

The following information, Lemur200, you would only want to look into if you are a tiny bit familiar with test results and you are not likely to faint at abnormal results.

You have access to your LFT's and have looked at them, I assume. the test shows the result and after that in brackets the range expected from that particular laboratory. Just as an example, my potassium was tested last year along with lots of other bits and pieces and the result is shown:

"serum potassium level 4.9 mmol/L {3.5-5.3} "meaning that my reading of 3.9 was within the expected range of 3.5 to 5.3. Usually anything out of normal range is shown in italics or bold.

You could look at which LFT was out of range, then below the test results is an explanation on which you can click to find out more about what this means.

[Lemur200 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hello, thanks for your reply. I haven't seen the results, just got a 'phone call to say that the doctor needed to talk to me about the results of the test. She then went on to say that she couldn't comment on their significance as she wasn't a doctor and asked me if a telephone appointment was ok. This appointment turned out to be in four weeks time. As an aside before hanging up, she said that it said something about raised alt. I will get back to them, I just didn't feel that it was handled very well.

[Happyrosie in reply to Lemur200]

I had been assuming you have access to the results. If you are electronically linked to the surgery you would have access. Something else for you to discuss with the receptionist.

[sandandkev]

That is wrong,have you just started on statins?? I started them in August and my 1st blood test showed liver was abnormal but gp rang me 2 days later to say level only a little over normal ( normal not over 35) mine was 50-- I'm having repeat in 2 months,the statins affect liver,

[Heartmum56 in reply to sandandkev]

Hi sandandkev I am having the same problem. Can I ask if yours resolved or if the GP changed any meds?

[Lemur200]

Thank you for the messages. I got an appointment with the gp who said that the results were not greatly abnormal and that a repeat test would be arranged. On a side note, I had my first cardiac rehab session yesterday and it was great.