Confused about my test results

[Charntay]

Hi, so I had to have some blood tests a few weeks ago and the results came back that my results are that of a alcoholic. (Previous liver blood tests have come back all abnormal) I don’t drink much maybe 1/2 cans month or every 2 months. And maybe a bottle of southern comfort and lemonade at Xmas and birthday but theirs always some left in for another day. I am a little overweight. Iv a scan Monday and more blood tests on Tuesday. Can anyone share a little light if this has happened to you please.

[Owlie]

Hi, if you have had abnormal LFTs your liver is struggling. You can get liver problems from an unhealthy diet and being overweight, not just from alcohol. I personally don’t drink but a bottle of Southern Comfort sounds an awful lot to me. My problems have been caused purely by diet and obesity.

My advice would be stop drinking if you can or seek help to stop, start exercising and eat healthily. Your scan will help with a diagnosis but from what you have said the warning signs are there and you need to take action now to prevent things getting worse. You also need to be completely honest with your Doctor so they can help you.

I’m sorry I can’t help more with the specifics of your question, but plenty more people on here will be able to help.

I hope all goes well next week, Owlie

[Charntay in reply to Owlie]

Thank you for Owlie, I don’t drink the whole bottle of southern comfort and lemonade, il have 2/3 drinks then leave it for when I fancy another drink, that can be weeks. I don’t drink all the time. Iv been doing some googling and read so much stuff about the liver. That I have been with my doctor. It’s just thrown be back a little what she told me and why have I only just found out about other lbt. Hopefully il know something end of next week of week after.

[Owlie in reply to Charntay]

Hi, sorry I can’t be more help however...Don’t Google! Worse thing you can do, I was convinced the end was nigh and it caused endless worry for me. The only positive that did come from it all was The shock made me change my whole lifestyle and I have stuck to it ever since. Regardless of what happens, you are now aware that there is a problem so you can start making positive changes now. Changes do make a difference and quite quickly but it has to be a lifestyle choice. No matter what comes back from further tests etc, making that choice to be healthy is the best thing you can do to help yourself.

It’s easier said than done but try not to worry and focus on the positives. Hope this helps, Owlie

[Charntay in reply to Owlie]

You have helped thank you, and yes theirs a lot on google that makes you think oh my gosh, I have a friend who does fitness and healthy eating so going to ask for their help too. I think for me also is because Iv been feeling unwell for a while it be nice to know exactly what is wrong with me once and for all. Thank you again for your words.

[Owlie in reply to Charntay]

You’re welcome. Have a look at The British Liver Trust diet information as well as that will help, if you look at my previous posts you can see what I eat and the exercise I do. You haven’t said how overweight you are but start slow and build up and check with your Doctor if you need to. I hope you get the answers you are looking for- it is awful waiting I know but in the meantime, stay strong and focus on the positives.

Link to diet and nutrition

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Cheers Owlie

[Charntay in reply to Owlie]

Great thank you, I’m not sure if I’m honest, as I have lost weight over the past 6 weeks, I’d probably say I need to lose maybe another stone or 2 stone (seems like the weight is coming off easier than before) I’m going to check with my doctor when I see her next after Iv the scan and blood tests back. It is yes, it don’t help that I’m a worrier too worse since had my kids lol. I’ll have a check at the British liverTrust too.

[Owlie in reply to Charntay]

Hi, yep kids do that to you! As I said, while you’re waiting for tests and results etc. focus on being the healthiest version of you and don’t beat yourself up if you can’t do something. I couldn’t do much exercise initially but I kept at it. Think of it this was, let’s say you are doing star jumps but can only do 5 before collapsing in a heap on the floor (I speak from experience on this one!), that is 5 more than you did yesterday so well done you! If I can do it then anyone can do it!

[Charntay in reply to Owlie]

Of cause yes, and today will be the start of my first day to a better me. I appreciate your advice and thank you for sharing.

[Hidden in reply to Owlie]

Too right or so right owlie!

Pilomilo aka Miles

[Kev12564]

If that’s all you drink, you’re definitely not an alcoholic or even alcohol dependent. If anyone says you are, they’re being very unfair. See what the tests say first.

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

Absolutely!

[Charntay in reply to Kev12564]

Thanks CocoNutWater, I was shocked when the doctor said my results was that of an alcoholic, I was like oh I don’t even drink that much. Hopefully il not be waiting long after today and tomorrow.

[Kev12564 in reply to Charntay]

I guess GPs assume people drink far more than they say they do. Bit unfair on those who genuinely don’t drink or drink lightly, but blame it on the fibbers

[Charntay in reply to Kev12564]

I’m with you their CocoNutWater, I used to drink stupid amounts a lot back in 3013/14 every weekend till June July time I just stopped I didn’t want it so just had the odd drink then stopped altogether after I split with kids dad. Past nearly 5 years Iv hardly touched it apart from what Iv already said at the beginning. I half think that may have had something to do with it but who knows. I’m a little over weight but from my scales each week it goes drastically down. If remember il check later at the doctors. I’m an open book and too honest I think all the time lol

[Freyaviking]

Hi I have Auto immune hepatitis which where my immune system attacks my liver put simply and nothing to do with alcohol, I didn't drink either and the cause is unknown. It is possible that I carry a gene that has been triggered later in my life, treatment for it is immunosuppression and steriods. There are other things that make your LFT's go above normal and nothing to do with alcohol so I hope you get your answers soon. X

[Charntay in reply to Freyaviking]

Thank you for replying Freyaviking sorry to hear you have autoimmune hepatitis, do the the medication help you? Iv Googled so much Iv had to stop now as I’m like yep Iv everything lol. I’m kind of hoping my scan results (have it in couple of hours and blood tests tomorrow come back quickly) as I want me back. Iv stopped googling as everything I read I’m like oh Iv got them symptoms except the jaundice. Xxx

[Freyaviking]

I know what you mean about googling it doesn't do any good. I had the jaundice before being admitted to hospital and googled it for weeks lol

[Charntay in reply to Freyaviking]

It doesn’t no, oh no lol good old google makes us all fret more. My original blood tests 3 weeks ago was because Iv been unwell for so long, they tested my lf iron blood sugars and if I was anemic, 3 days later I rang for the results thinking I was low on iron as constantly shattered plus other symptoms, everything came back normal apart from the liver enzymes. What got me though is previous lft have all been abnormal since dating back to 2015 where it was high, and Iv just found out about it now.

[Freyaviking]

I know what you mean my bloods were abnormal in 2004 diagnosed in 2017! My advice would be to ask for print out of blood every time so you can see if the levels are getting higher as they don't do anything unless it keeps going up.

[Charntay in reply to Freyaviking]

Ah ok, I read someone else say the same, I didn’t know you could ask for a copy of the results. I’m at the doctors later so will ask the receptionist for all of my blood results and other results relating to my liver from now on thank you. Xxx

[Hidden]

My LFT’s also very high and I did put that down to my alcohol intake ( I am a stone over weight) do regular high intensity excerise and have done for 10 years so

I’m very fit, good cholesterol and blood pressure etc. So my tests did shock me and I re-evaluated my alcohol habits. However they are still high. I mentioned on another thread that I have gallstones too but no pain or symptoms of any kind. I have googled all sorts and my head has been in bits and I’ve really beaten myself up! Anyway, Looking forward to getting some answers in May when I see the gastro it seems like forever I’ve been waiting and googling.

[Charntay in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jojo423 I know what you saying about the googling, best advice I can give is to stop googling it will driver you insane and make you worry more. I hope you get the answers your looking for in May. I have blood tests again today for celiac autoimmune, lft reappeared, thyroid hepatitis. The sonography said to me my liver is clear but he don’t know why Iv slight pain around my liver as he can’t see anything. It’s all the waiting that’s does my head in.

[Hidden]

Thank you. I think I’ve googled everything there is to google now so I have stopped lol - Good luck with the blood tests, I’ll keep following your posts for updates.

[Charntay in reply to Hidden]

Your so welcome, lol know what your saying on that one. Thank you hope they do come up with something, as my doctor yesterday mentioned my tiredness and loss of appitite (I’m not allowed antidepressants till tests have come back normal)

[Hidden in reply to Charntay]

I did read that only certain antidepressants can affect these results, however it’s also obviously important for you to get that medication as soon as possible, too. I took milk thistle in February as I’d read ( lol) on google that it helped and my liver tests increased! Doc said never ever take any supplements ( whilst testing for these results anyway) then in March they only slightly decreased..

[Charntay in reply to Hidden]

Ah ok, yeah she was saying that all the antidepressants can affect lft so she wants me to wait till get the results first, she did say that I do need them. Google can be good at times but so so misleading more times then none. I noticed that different websites would have slightly different symptoms too. Glad your results decreased even if slightly.