Liver retest improvement times?

[Owlie]

Hi,

My second post. A month ago I was referred to a specialist as my liver function tests were abnormal, elf score was higher than normal and ultrasound showed inflammation and fat. Symptoms were itching and tiredness.

A few years ago when on Omeprazole my liver tests were abnormal so I was taken off it and they retested as normal. Doing the same thing now with Lanzaprole and also eaten and exercised like a saint since last tests, a month ago. I have lost just over 1/2 a stone but need to lose a lot more.

My question is this, how long does it take for a liver to start healing as It has been suggested I get retested in 2 weeks to see if the results are lower. I wondered if I should wait a bit longer? I’m not really sure how livers respond?

I would be grateful for any advice!

[jojokarak]

Liver results can change on a daily basis depending on what's wrong... But it's quite common for doctors to do monthly bloods especially if they are monitoring you ... I have been on the same tablets as yourself for years pre and post transplant and this is the first time I have heard of them causing damage ...

If your losing weight which is fantastic are you sure it's not fatty liver disease which is on the rise due to obesity on the rise and people eating the wrong foods ...

Anyway keep up the good work losing weight and I am sure by keeping it up you will make a difference just don't get down hearted if it doesn't happen straight away 😊

[Owlie in reply to jojokarak]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I am overweight and have eaten poorly and since my tests a month ago I have not eaten anything processed and stuck to fish and veg and fresh. I don’t drink. I was warned at the ultrasound that my liver didn’t look good so suspect it is beyond fatty liver disease. I am really hoping that the tablets have caused the raised levels again as I am worried it is non reversible. I won’t know until I have seen a specialist and have been told 5 months waiting list and no appts.

The upshot is I want to do everything I can to try and heal my liver before the retests in the hope that they improve. I need a bit of hope to help me through this as l’m not dealing with it well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and I wish you good health.

Owlie

[jojokarak in reply to Owlie]

Please you are doing the right things and as long as you can keep it up I am sure you will be fine.,. The liver is the most fantastic organ and lots of people on here have turned their livers around 😊

[Owlie in reply to jojokarak]

Hi, I’m definitely keeping it up it has been a terrible shock, I just hope It’s not too late. Thank you so much for your kind words.

Owlie

[Hidden in reply to Owlie]

Hi Owlie

Dont think too negatively if you can - easier said than done - I KNOW! I agree with jojo and also would add never think of things as “too late”. Even if you are unlucky and your liver can’t recover, you can, as long as you do exactly what’s told and pass the myriad of tests put through (I did - so can’t be that hard 😀) you may be put on the transplant list. THE list. Now when you get on that you will feel like dancing a jig (but, if like me, you won’t have the energy 😬) but i hope you feel like all your birthdays have come at once! Then, yes yes yes a transplant. For me I havent felt so good in 4 years and only 6 weeks since t/p.

So keep on looking up (but dont fall backwards 😏) and good luck!!

Miles

🇧🇧

[Owlie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Miles for your support, great to hear you are doing so well! Thank you for sharing your experience.

Owlie

[Porphyrogennetos]

Just one quick remark as you write you're exercising like a saint (with me so far having been totally unaware of this being a common trait of the Community of Saints):

If you do so (exercising like a Saint, that is), your bloodwork might be seriouly altered.

I once had blood drawn after a brisk walk to the hospital (5 miles), and AST, ALT and LDH came back significantly higher than what my average values are.

Also values tend to be significantly higher in the afternoon.

[Owlie in reply to Porphyrogennetos]

Hi, now that is interesting as I thought weight loss and exercise would improve my test results? Will book a morning appointment!

Thank you for taking the time to reply, Owlie

[Porphyrogennetos in reply to Owlie]

Hi Owlie,

obviously your liver will be in a better shape if you exercise. It is just that test results will be altered after 'strenuous' (and not so strenuous) exercise.

It is best to have blood drawn in the morning as you have chosen to do, and to have a quiet day the day before. That way, you will get a better picture of where you are.

Keep in mind that lab results are always just a picture of a single moment. For some values it can even be a matter of importance the way the blood is drawn, in upright or horizontal position...

Hydration/dehydration can influence platelet count results, e.g.

P.

[Owlie in reply to Porphyrogennetos]

Hi,

Thank you for clarifying...fingers crossed!