Liver scan and slightly high liver function bloods

[Louisapicko]

My liver function blood test came back slightly high ..my doctor is sending me for a liver scan I'm so worried

[AyrshireK]

I know it's easy to say but try not to panic at this stage. Slightly elevated liver tests can be due to a multitude of things (including some very minor). Good news that your doctor is on the ball and is following things up with the scan.

All the best, hope things work out ok.

Katie

[Louisapicko in reply to AyrshireK]

I'm just so scared and dernt have a drink of alcohol now

[AyrshireK in reply to Louisapicko]

If you feel that you drink in excess of guideline limits then it would be wise to reduce your alcohol. Not all liver issues are alcohol related (my husband is t-total and yet still has cirrhosis).

The liver is a very forgiving organ, it is the only organ which can regenerate so giving it some TLC will help things no end.

Have a hunt round the British Liver Trust page for healthy liver advice. britishlivertrust.org.uk/

Katie

[Hidden]

Hi Louisa

Welcome to the forum - assuming first post!

Please don’t be worried. Just remember that whatever is being done is being done for your own benefit 👍. If only slightly wrong then it could be nothing - best not to worry and just wait and see. (I have no medical knowledge btw but just my experiences to fall back on - so no advice intended!)

I know that it is easy to say but hard to do. But worrying seriously won’t help ☹️.

Good luck for a good scan result.

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry Katie - your post wasn’t on my screen when I wrote!

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

Nothing to apologize for, good to corroborate similar message.

Katie

[Charlie1979]

I completely understand as I’m in the same position. My scans are on 23rd July. Can’t stop worrying and fearing the worst.

[bantam12]

My liver function levels have been very high for years, numerous scans, MRI's and a biopsy but no cause ever found.

Don't panic, no point in worrying until you know if there is anything to worry about 😉

[Gaspereaux in reply to bantam12]

bantam, have you gotten on top of your results? What was causing your LFT levels to be high?

[bantam12 in reply to Gaspereaux]

No, levels still go up and down, range from slightly high to much higher and no definite cause found. It’s possibly primary sclerosing cholangitis but Gastros are not convinced enough to diagnose it.

[RyanWills]

Give us a background of yourself to see if people have had the same experience :). In January I had upper right quadrant pain, tenderness, nausea, vomiting, bloating etc etc, had bloods and my liver enzymes where 5x the norm, 7 months on they are back to perfect range and I’m still under investigation but they think it could have been a lover fluke, parasite! You’re in good hands, don’t google and trust your doctor, take care x

[jbrking]

Don’t panic. As others have said there can be a number of reasons why your liver result was high. Did they say what your ALT Reading was? Normal is 5-40 or 50. About 12 years ago I was feeling exhausted (aged 38) and I had out on a couple of stone literally in a couple of months despite not changing my diet. ALT was nearly 200. I had scans etc. I have non alcoholic fatty liver. I’m now on meds and lost some weight (it’s really difficult as my liver isn’t breaking down the fats properly) and it now sits around 65. It will never be normal. Recently it went up to 96 for no reason but next one was 67. I get scanned every few years to check for any stiffness but so far ok and I’m now 50. Admittedly I don’t really drink, I can count on my hands how many I have in a year and I try to eat healthy. It could just be a one off why your reading is high - or you may have to think about what you’re eating or drinking. The doctor should tell you more once you’ve had a scan. Good luck and don’t worry x

[Hidden]

Interestingly enough the most common causes for elevated liver enzymes aren't actually from serious liver diseases or liver diseases at all. So just to echo the good advice already here. Try not to worry just yet and see what the doctor says.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sounded interesting Phoenix so I Googled it (as one does 😁) and Mayo Clinic says;-

“More common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

Over-the-counter pain medications, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)

Certain prescription medications, including statin drugs used to control cholesterol

Drinking alcohol

Heart failure

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Obesity“

Certainly interesting - but does not give any ratios from studies though - so your research is way better than mine! But I didn’t look for long to be honest!

Miles

[Hidden]

Yes Mayo Clinic doesnt usually delve as deep as to put ratios. Be nice if they did. Though their info is spot on Mayo clinic is an incredible institution. I find the institute of biotechnology will go more in depth that way.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I also really rate the Mayo Clinic 👍. When I was in Hospital post TP the chap opposite me was working on developing 3D models of internal organs, i.e. making models from MRI scan data etc. Between them they had produced these phenomenal models of his own liver, pancreas etc. They were incredibly detailed and had the ability to change the colour of the model material depending on the scan data - for instance his thrombosis (?) which he had been operated on clearly showed up on the model! I saw him show some of the Consultants at QEHB who were really impressed. The long term aim is to generate these models in a day for the surgeons to look at before they operate - so they can then visualise in super detail what they are going to encounter.. Cool stuff it was. He was a clever man I have to say.

Mikes

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yea the 3D models blow my mind. Being able to literally pick up an organ with your hands and see what the problem is without going inside a person or missing it on a scan because its to deep or hidden behind? Just absolutely amazing! Thrombosis comes to mind right away as you said. As you know from experience they can be hidden and difficult to find. Id imagine it will change the whole outlook on pancreatic cancer as well since its almost impossible to spot in the early stages. Not to mention what these 3d models can do for the planning stages of a surgery on the surgeons part. Efficiency will be exponentially improved.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes that’s what I think too Phoenix. How on earth did you remember my particular experience? Have I yattered on about it that many times or do you just have an incredible memory? Or both 😁😁

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No no you havent yattered on about it lol. I just recall you mentioning a while back that they had a difficulty finding the thrombosis and you weren't sure if or not it was found with an MRI or CT I believe was the converstion we were having.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Coolio - that’s truly amazing memory 👍👍