Follow up on my first post

[Diana20]

Hi folks

Just a follow up on my latests medical visits. Have been in for a new blood test, which showed good reduction in AST and ALT, but small increase in ALP (by 6 units). Also small decrease in GGT (445 from 497). Ultrasound showed mildly fatty liver and small kidney cyst. The lady there said ‘no nasty bumps and lumps seen’, so that was cool to hear. The ER doc then came over and reffered me to a liver specialist based on the fact that two of my enzymes did not come down as expected. The GGT and ALP. He mentioned possible billiary obstruction, even if no indication of this was seen on the US. He added that he sends me as a precaution because he sees my anxiety and this is no way to live. I appreciate that he is doing his job in a remarkable way. But needless to say, I am worried sick. What is it with the billiary obstruction now. Apart from my anxiety, I feel physically good, alert and awake. No pains, no headaches. At the times of the blood test I had ceased alcohol and paracetamol for three days. It is now seven days since I stopped, and heck pls excuse my French if will I ever go back! (by the way my old GP said to me... guess what: "2-4 Panadols a day for a week for colds or headaches? That is nothing ! I have people in my family that take up to 8 a day, for arthritis! And they have a glass of wine with dinner'') ! I know this is irresponsible of her. I just shared is as a.. I don't even know what - a distraction. I guess she forgot she was a doc for a minute, no filter at all !

Also I need to say I had a moderate cold at the time of my blood test, could this influence GGT and ALP..?

After the ER doc gave me the referral, I booked a CT scan and the specialist for next week. Then I came home and saw my new GP, who said GGT is the last of the enzymes to fall and do not worry about ALP. He was quite happy with the bloods, as opposed to the ER doctor. I mentioned to him that I had nausea and small pains in my right side. He gave me Maxalon; the pains disappeared straight away.

So why am I here again.. I guess I am looking for reassurance, fully realizing how foolish this is, but who knows maybe someone else out there had a similar experience...

So yeah does a virus influence GGT and ALP, and is it true they are the last to fall? Also is US a useless test, someone can have an obstruction but not be seen on the films? And what even is an obstruction, can be a tumor, right...? Or a gallstone I guess, - but shouldn’t US show that..? At least something? And can pain and nausea from tumors or cirrhosis go away from Maxalon (basically it looked like trapped gas pain to me.. that is how the Maxalon helped). Oh the GP said intestines can hurt from overeating and recommended to go down to 54kg. I am now 59 kgs.

Peace,

Diana

[Deni52]

Got similar situation only quite a lot of fatty liver, I have been told the raised levels are from this and the cyst is insignificant so they hope my mind is at ease ..end of, except change my diet.

[Diana20 in reply to Deni52]

Thanks Deni👍.. change of diet-that is what I work on now😊..

[carmik]

Mu hubby initially started with high GGT which would not drop, no alcohol, drugs, legal or otherwise.

There are some problems other than biliary obstruction which can cause a high level of GGT.

He ended up being diagnosed with one of the rarer liver problems. If your GGT doesn't drop

make sure you are tested for all Liver diseases.

Good Lucj

[Diana20 in reply to carmik]

Thanks carmik. My docs asked me to test for other liver diseases, so spot on.. thanks for your reply!

[Hidden]

I'd give your liver more time to come good before worrying too much. It took 8 months before I felt fully recovered from my liver inflammation. The most likely cause of your raised GGT and ALP in your case is drug & alcohol induced liver inflammation and your mildly fatty liver although apparently there can be other causes.

Raised levels of GGT and ALP can be indicative of the bile duct in your gall bladder being inflammed. Bile is stored in the gall bladder and is needed by the body to digest fatty foods. The logical thing to do if your bile flow is impaired due to inflammation of the bile duct is to eliminate fat from your diet as much as possible to give your gall bladder a rest.

I’d do what I could to fix the mildly fatty liver.

[Diana20]

Edward thanks again. I started working on my diet, quit 🍷 and painkillers and looks like I will survive without them. I am relieved that it was easy to give up on both. I got so scared by my sudden illness that quitting these seemed a minor thing to do. I wonder why I didn’t know this before..:((..

Anyway I work on my diet now. Thanks for telling me it took you eight months to get your liver back in shape. Maybe my doctor tested my blood too soon.

Cheers

Diana

[briccolone in reply to Diana20]

Again agree with Edward you need a good 6 weeks for things to stabilise - good news is the ggt is on the way south. Report back in a few weeks - good luck with it

[Diana20 in reply to briccolone]

Will do. Thank you so much for your support.

[briccolone in reply to Diana20]

No worries just for reference my ggt was st 412 18 months ago it’s taken a long time to get down to 93

[Diana20 in reply to briccolone]

Oh thank you for the info! I will now be more relaxed in case it happens to me too. I am glad to hear yours went down to 93 now!

[Hidden]

I had an ultrasound on my kidneys and was told I had a cyst too. A few years down the line and it became apparent it was the first showing of a benign kidney tumour. I elected to have surgery and had a partial nephrectomy.

[Diana20 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply Osidge. I will bear it in mind that this can happen to me too, but anyway good it was benign! I hope you are okay now and the surgery and recovery were not too tough!