I had a liver test in July 2013, it was fine. In Dec 2013 I saw yellow patches on my eyes. I drink a bit much, but is this booze related?

[Regretful]

Can my liver function declined to rapidly from being perfect to failing in six months, with no real lifestyle change? Thanks.

[briccolone]

Hi Regretful,

yes it can sadly-how much are you drinking? units per week? if you've been overdoing it for a while your liver probably wasn't in perfect shape despite not showing up in the bloods, If I were you I'd take a few weeks off alcohol and see if any improvement. It may clear up-also I would go and see a doctor and ask for the ggt levels to be checked-search this site for some useful links. Any other symptoms? I'm in no position to lecture-have been there myself but cutting down on the units is the only way to improve liver health if its alcohol that's causing the problem. It could be just fatty liver which can be reversed. keep in touch

[Regretful in reply to briccolone]

Hi briccolone. I went to the Dr this afternoon. She looked at my eyes and said there was no cause for concern. We had a chat about cutting down, so I am. No other symptoms. What's ccg? Thanks so much for getting back to me.

[briccolone in reply to Regretful]

that's good, no other symptoms also good-however-a few things to consider...how old are you, male or female? how much have you been drinking and for how long? You're probably fine. I've already posted that I was drinking the best part of a bottle of wine daily for years-it takes it's toll. Even so I'm 58 and I've managed to reverse what probably was fatty liver although I remain undiagnosed! GGT are liver enzymes which if elevated are generally an indicator of excess drinking-should be approx 50-mine were 180+ which GPs normally put in the fatty level category-500+ and you might be in trouble. No point speculating though and I'm not a doctor. If you drink within the normal guidelines and have a few days off a week-the chances are you'll be fine but there is nothing guaranteed. Stay healthy

[Regretful in reply to briccolone]

Hi briccolone. I was like you for 5-10 years. I'm a 34 year old female. I'm cutting down. In fact I've not drunk since NYE and I don't miss it. My chocolate consumption however has skyrocketed which is the next thing to address. Thanks to all of you for your support.

[briccolone in reply to Regretful]

you're very welcome-that's what this forum is for-BTW if you make it a dry-ish january you can treat yourself on high days and holidays etc. If you do drink keep it to less than 10 units per week with a few days in between. However-if you don't miss it then you may as will give it up for Lent.. all the best-you might notice a few improvements with abstinence ie. it could take years off you.....

[Regretful in reply to briccolone]

Why do you say ten units?

[briccolone in reply to Regretful]

well there is no safe level of alcohol-that's a fact -however the 14 unit level for women has been set for a reason-the liver is smaller. Your liver even if its not damaged is not the same as it was when you were 21 so to reduce your own limit from 14 to 10 might be prudent-that's about a bottle of wine per week or much preferably a large glass 3 times a week with a day off in between. At that level the liver gets to get a break or do as you're doing and have a dry-ish january. It took me about 6 months last year to get back to normal and I still have raised ggt but that's because I was silly enough to do a few binges too soon.

[Regretful in reply to briccolone]

I see. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Don't think because the GP says nothing to worry over at the moment means you can drink ad lib.

Please think about stopping. It really is the only way if you cannot control the booze.

I wish you all the best

[Hidden]

Yellow eyes is when things are getting more serious, although can be reversed if alcohol is reduced. The liver is one of the most important organs in the body and there are lots of us not respecting it at all. And you don't always need to be drinking a lot of alcohol for it to cause a problem, for each person it's different. One GP told me it was a poison. Good luck xx