So I have had raised ALT for years basically (I am sure at least 9). I have had occasional blood tests to see how it is doing, it ranges from 60's to 90's and back again. More recently following a cancer check (which I do not have) they took bloods, they wrote to my doctor an mentioned the raised ALT and asked them to recheck it. They did and this time the level was 184, the highest it has ever been. I went back to my doctors and they said they would refer me, then after discussion said lets to a Gamma check? That was two days ago and I have just been called back in to the doctors a week today to discuss serum gamma gt level and bone profiling?? Previously I was advised I had low vitamin D levels so I started taking a supplement. I have not long had an MOT at the GUM and I am all clear from Hep, so I am totally confused by all the things I am reading. All I have in my mind now is that I have liver disease? I am a man in my mid 30's and while I enjoy a bottle of wine at the weekend, I generally only drink at the weekends because I am just so busy with work in the week. Any advice, reassurance would be great. I suffer from depression so all of this is making me feel ten times worse. Thanks All
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ianpp1983
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Well a lot of us have a non alchohol related liver disease. I was diagnosed with one last spring. But right now you don't know what you have. So there is no point in freaking out about something you may or may not have. In the meantime, it's probably a good idea to take a pass on the wine....I had to give mine up. Keep in as good a health as you can and just wait for the results.. if it is a non alchohol related liver disease then at least there is something they can do to manage it.
Try not to panic. easier said than done. I panicked for almost a week last month after at least 10 yrs high ALT, 100 minimum. been sick for 5 mnths. No Dr believed me despite numbers and symptoms. demanded hep tests on advice of a nurse and that's what I have. was so shocked and serious panic set in, tears, the whole works. Almost 4 weeks later, got my head together. waiting for appt with hepatologist. Read up on best foods etc for liver. Breathe deeply. avoid stress. we are adaptive creatures, and of course the unknowning is the worst thing. This forum is excellent as you realise that you are NOT ALONE, even though I am these people are going through so much. I try and keep occupied. anything to distract myself and I drink lots of chamomile tea 😊I have read elevated enzymes can be caused by so many things, not just disease. I hope this response comforts you somewhat.
wow that's crazy and so sorry to hear you are also unwell, it is totally rubbish. I am concerned now that the GUM are not testing for the right hep (sure they do thought right?) Like you say the unknowing is totally the worse thing, especially when you already feel rough as old boots anyway lol. Do they tell you how you catch the hep, or do they have no idea? I will do some reading up on good foods for livers then. Thanks
May have had it 25 yrs, complicated pregnancy, ICU, pulled thru but was concern about my future health. I was seriously ill. Dr's didnt believe me, 4 mnths hospital, or during a c section, yes another complicated pregnancy. only 2 children as too dangerous 😁 could have been from dental surgery though as I had alot after nearly losing my life. think I used all my energy fighting to survive, which I did. so I am grateful for the Dr's saving my life and having last 25 yrs to see my kids grow up etc. I knew zero about hepatitis, totally destroyed my brain for couple of weeks. Bit by bit it's moving from the fore of my mind. I cannot let it rule my life. The symptoms do that already! I start every day with half lemon and 1 clove of garlic 😂
I think regular taking of lemon water with a clove of garlic has been doing great job for maintaining liver health preventing further deterioration.But how long have you been taking lemon water with clove?Are you taking anything else? Please reply.
hi, I am a lifelong vegetarian so have a comprehensive wholefood diet. Been on raw garlic and lemon juice 5 months, turmeric root, fresh organic ones. as much fruit and veg as I can get down. I eat alot of calories in 1 day, every couple of hours I will eat something. I just don't eat refined sugar, no alcohol. well I have a croissant here and there. 😂
To try and lift your spirits, I was 32 when the worst happened. They reckoned I looked 85, that makes me 110 yrs old now and I am still here, most of the time 😂😂😂
Hi as others have said not knowing is a difficult area to be in as you worry how bad it can be. What should I do etcetera.
Knowing now that I probably missed some wake-up signs in the past I would now suggest to anyone who has worries take it as giving you a warning that you could look after your body better. I haven't drunk alcohol for decades but I still ended up with liver problems.
Follow basic health guidelines to looking after yourself.
1. Eat healthily. Liver trust and NHS have a lot of information on this. Learning portion sizes, learning about the various balances between fruit, veg, cereals and pulses, fats and proteins is really helpful. Also think about how you take in your nutrition. The odd smoothie is great, but eating the fruit e.g. an Apple gives you roughage that your body has to work on breaking down. A smoothie has done most of the work. Our digestive system needs to do a certain amount of work to keep healthy same as our muscles in our arms and legs.
2.watch the ready prepared and take out meals. You have less control over sugar, salt and other added items in them. Bottled drinks also need checking.
3. Exercise. Regular, ideally daily helps the body.
4. Watch the added supplements. Talk to your g.p. about what if any you should have. If you have a healthy diet you probably don't need any.
5. Get a healthy sleep pattern it is important for the body to rest as well as exercise..
6. Make sure you have time for fun. Having time to relax and enjoy life is important as it helps the mind and body to deal with things better. It can be a great time doing simple things either just for you or with people you enjoy being with.
7. Alcohol may not be agreeing with your liver. It wouldn't hurt to check it out with the doctor.
8. Not sure if you smoke or not but this can be a problem for the liver as well.
Best of luck. Like I said if I had done more of these things earlier, I might not be in the health pickle I'm in now.
Hi, thanks for the nice reply.everything is ok in my case except fruits and vegetables.these healthy whole foods are horrible for me.I cant tolerate and digest most of the fruits, vegetables cos of IBS(irritable bowel syndrome) that I have been having for last 30 yrs.carrots, beetroots, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower I.e.all cruciferous vegetables.Fruits like pear,plum, orange,water melon,apple guava,cheek pea and all other leafy greens.these cause gas, bloating, cramping pain in abdomen followed by occasional loose motion.I have cosulted gastro enterologist several times but no improvement.I think my inability of taking these whole foods (fresh fruits and vegetables)due to IBS is the reason for not getting satisfactory improvement of my liver fibrosis.If there is any alternative commercial food suppliment like pills or tablet that can really help me to over come the deficiency of fresh raw fruits and vegetables.A sincere right suggestion is highly solicited.God bless you.
From what I can gather it is important to be careful about supplements because the liver can struggle with some of the ingredients that make up the tablets. You really need to speak to your g.p. and liver specialist about them.
I have some sensitivity to foods. I have found avoiding milk helps me a bit. I also can't eat spicy food,anything greasy (i used to love bacon and egg), or food that is very rich. Interestingly the longer I go without a lot of refined sugar in my diet the less tolerant to refined sugar I am becoming. I also find I can only tolerate a small amount of rapeseed oil in my food so I am cutting out a lot of ready prepared food from shops. I tend to have porridge or rice rather than eating bread very often. I'm not, as far as I am aware celiac, but I feel better not having much wheat in my diet.
Are you able to take any fruit or vegetables in a smoothie? It certainly isn't ideal and you really have to watch the sugars, but if you could cope with it in small amounts in liquid format would that help? I know very little about ibs so I wouldn't know where to begin except say speak with your specialist to see if they can advise.
Not too different from my experiences although I had a consultant tell me years ago that mine were just naturally higher than other people’s. I think he was talking nonsense as my current heptologist thinks I have fatty liver. Vitamin D has an association with the liver so I’m going to ask for mine to be checked. My alt spiked up like that for a week after a fatty meal and has taken months to come back down to normal level. What is your weight like and are you on any medications as these can all cause raised enzymes. The gamma check gps don’t seem to understand as some of them assume it’s alcohol raising it and in my case I know it’s not. Switch your diet to as much veg and raw veg as possible ditch the simple carbs and excercise every day is what I’ve done on advice. I’m not sure it’s working but I’m now probably underweight and my alt and ast are now normal- ggt not so much.
I’m now taking probiotics like kefir, live yogurt and a tablet. I know my gut has been messed up from antibiotics and having my appendix removed. I don’t think it would do anyone any harm healthy or not to take kefir every day.
Hey. Went back to doctors on Thursday. ALT had gone back down to 94 but my Gamma GT was 270 something. I have now been referred to gastro and have an appointment on 18 November to see what action they want to take. In terms of my diet, I eat lots of veg and I am wheat intolerant so I don't eat a huge amount of carbs. In terms of weight I am considered obese at 15 stone. However my size 32 inch waist suggests otherwise, I just seem to carry weight (much to my annoyance). I do need to start exercising again and aim to join a gym as I have met some new friends recently who all go.
Medication wise I take an antihistamine everyday for allergies and I have inhalers for my asthma and occasionally IBS medication but other than that nothing really. I have had my gallbladder removed, so do not know if that is partly to cause. It is all a mine field.
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