Very abnormal liver function tests?

[DJRussell]

i’m pretty freaked out. I’ve been a heavy drinker for years. Much heavier 10 plus years ago. My liver functions have always been normal and were normal at the end of June. About a month ago at my physical, they were VERY abnormal. About a week later they had come down but we’re stull very high. I’m terrified. My brother died of cirrhosis 3 years ago, but he drank more than me. I’m tempted not to have the sonogram my doc wants. My RN daughter says that’s a terrible. My question I guess is has anyone had blood tests for AST and ALT go from normal to very high in a few months?

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi DJR

If the doctor wants to give you a sonograph/ ultrasound scan then you really really should do it. I would say never ignore the doctor’s recommendations. If you say no now and then one year down the line you get really ill and it is confirmed as cirrhosis you will feel terrible with yourself. That is what happened to me. I didn’t follow up the doctor’s recommendation not to drink and one year later that was me in the midst of very bad cirrhosis.

This is not advice per se but just to try and encourage you to think very very hard about the decision you have to make!

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Miles

[Hidden in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Snap.

[carmik]

Needn't necessarly be drink related . But even with other liver problems drink is still a no no.

[RodeoJoe]

There are many reasons why your bloods might change but given that you're a heavy drinker there's no point pretending it won't be that. Just curious, why are you tempted not to have the sonogram\ultrasound?

Did you stop drinking between the first and second bloods?

[DJRussell in reply to RodeoJoe]

Yes. I did stop between the two. I guess I’m just really afraid of what they will find.

[RodeoJoe in reply to DJRussell]

I can understand that but on the positive side stopping drinking has improved the LFT's. If your liver hadn't recovered after you'd stopped its more likely permanent damage. Honestly you've just got to get it done!

You'll be anxious until you do.

[Hidden]

Hi

Please do as your Dr says. Like Miles said you don't want to regret this in a years time. Take care Lynne

[Hidden]

Hi DJ,

I hope that you will follow through with the tests your provider and RN daughter suggests.

Better to catch anything sooner than later if there is an issue.

Just wanted to mention that my wonderful doctor, on more than one occasion, has said to me that he was surprised that my blood work results were so good considering that I was a drinker. Heavy at times.

He added, But that can change quickly.

I figured that as long as my results were good, I didn't have to worry about it.

My husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis a few months back. It's advanced.

For many years, decades really, he avoided doctors period. He knew that he would be told to quit drinking and smoking and he had no plans to do that or to waste their time.

When he finally had little choice but to seek medical attention, he also did not want to go for additional testing. And he didn't for some time.

Perhaps if he had gone for testing sooner, this liver disease wouldn't be at this late stage and he may have been able to avoid a lot of uncomfortable and even painful complications.

But there is plenty of hope, even still.

Avoiding alcohol is a grand idea!

My husband and I are feeling the many benefits of doing so.

Our livers thank us.

Needless to say, I better understand that warning from my own Dr.:

Things can change quickly.

But, change works both ways, fortunately.

With better self care, things often improve (including blood work results).

I wish this for you, DJ.

[DJRussell in reply to Hidden]

I’m sorry you’ve been going through all this. Thanks for the reply.

[Kristian]

It's not that uncommon as there are many things that can affect those results, not all related to liver disease. Try not to fret too much at this stage. Get all the tests done that you can to get a firm diagnosis. That way, whatever is the cause you have a chance of doing something about it before it does become a problem. Ignoring it isnt going to make it go away. Always best to act from an informed position as opposed to blind guesswork.

Hope it turns out to be something relatively simple. Good luck.

[DJRussell]

Thank you.

[Roy1955]

Simple answer.

1 : Get tested now then make the life changes required to get well and stay well.

2 : pretend nothings wrong, worry yourself sick. Ignore symptoms and quite possibly quickly progress on to severe fatal illnesses.

[alfredthegreat]

Hi DJ. |

I can see that you have received a lot help and shared experiences from the very knowledgeable members of our forum.

The only thing that I can add is that I think that it would be best for you to go for that scan and when you get the results you will know what you are dealing with and you can then face the problem head on and if you have done any damage then hopefully reverse things!

Wishing you the best outcome possible.

Alf.

[J-rod28]

I totally agree with everyone here! Once you know, you can do something about it; until then it will always be in the back of your mind. There are all types of treatments now and ways to help, if not cure many liver issues so don’t throw in the towel before you know what you are dealing with...Be strong and take care of yourself! One thing you can change now is your diet! Look up foods that help you liver function well..Hang in there!!

[DJRussell in reply to J-rod28]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I had the sonogram. It revealed no liver inflammation but lots of gallstones. I’m sorry that I wasted everyone’s time!

[Hidden in reply to DJRussell]

Happy for you you've got a result. Don't be sorry. Pump up the volume DJ. Don't get too stoned.😜

[DJRussell]

Thanks!