ALD with normal labs.

[Mamatembo]

Hey y'all.

I'm from the states so some terminology may be different.

My story: I've been drinking moderately to heavily for 15 years, with a few years off while pregnant. I quit 49 days ago. Since stopping I have experienced a range of concerning symptoms. Feeling unsteady, as if the ground is rocking, pain over my liver, nausea, and brain fog trouble with concentration, memory, and words.

I have been to the Dr. My liver enzymes (ast 13,Alt 10 ,alp 45), protein, bilirubin, sodium, blood counts, ammonia levels, and iron levels are all good.

I still feel like something is wrong but the Dr doesn't think so. I'm trying a new Dr as soon as I can.

Has anyone had great blood results and symptomatic cirrhosis? I feel like I'm going crazy!

Thanks

[Laura009]

Hi. Yes there have been a fair few in a similar situation as you and l expect Katie will be able to explain things for you

[AyrshireK]

I think you need to have a scan of some sort - if Fibroscan is available that will tell you if you have any fibrosis of the liver or visual scans to see if there are signs of advanced disease.

Sometimes in cirrhosis you can have fairly normal lab values because by their nature liver function tests are obtained from the cells that are still functioning within the liver, dead/cirrhotic cells don't emit any enzymes.

When you start getting symptoms with cirrhosis though then you do tend to have deranged liver tests - high bilirubin, low albumin, higher than normal ammonia are the warning markers for ascites, jaundice, pruritis, HE etc.

Get some further tests - scans should be pretty definitive though, normal bloods and normal scans = normal liver and maybe issues lie elsewhere.

All the best, Katie

[Mamatembo in reply to AyrshireK]

I appreciate the feedback. I'll push for a scan. I do think you are right and that can rule it out and I can move on or confirm my hunch.

The waiting sucks for now.

All the best to you.

[Thistle09 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks, Katie. Verrrry interesting that dead/ cirrhotic cells do not emit enzymes.

[Mamatembo in reply to AyrshireK]

Hey Katie. I had my ultrasound. The tech said everything looks good and the liver looks healthy. I guess that means it's not my liver?

This is all so confusing.

[Mamatembo]

I have an ultrasound tomorrow. I'm so nervous.

[Hidden in reply to Mamatembo]

Fingers crossed for you x

[DrDerp in reply to Mamatembo]

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[Dogbot in reply to Mamatembo]

Hi Mamatembo I have had quite a few ultrasounds and I find the trick is to ask lot’s of questions when they are doing it, I’m very lucky I have my wife come with me ( because we both go to each other’s appointments one to give support and two to remember the things they tell you) and she is quite medically minded and she looks at the screen and takes an interest and I think when you take an interest in someone’s job they open up and tell you more.

So good luck and I hope it goes well 🤞, by the way my son lives in Massachusetts anywhere near you 🇺🇸🤔.

Stay Safe all

Dogbot 🐶🌈

[Mamatembo in reply to Dogbot]

He is not too far from me!

Thanks for the reply. I did ask questions as I thought of them.

[matt137]

I'm in the same boat. All results ok apart from AAT which I believe shows my damage.

I'm interested if anyone knows what results could cause the brain fog? Or is it a combination of many?

Hope you are all doing ok..ish

Matt

[Mamatembo]

I thought hepatic encephalopathy, because my brain MRI showed signs of inflammation. I guess it might be something else.

I hope you get answers.

[Dogbot in reply to Mamatembo]

Hepatic encephalopathy is one of the problems the doctors are worried about with me, because they are possibly talking about doing a Tipps ??? Not to be taken lightly.

But once again when your with the doctors ask questions and if like me you come out of the doctors and think I was going to ask about that, write it down before you go in we always have a list, mainly because our memory’s are not what they used to be 🤪,my wife never stops asking 👍.

Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈

[Mamatembo in reply to Dogbot]

Will your wife come with me.

She's a great asset.

Stay well, dog bot

[Dogbot in reply to Mamatembo]

Hi Mamatembo

We will both come with you if you find a way to get us to America and see our grandson, daughter in law and son, 😂.

But joking aside we both miss the USA we used to love going to the State’s but one I can’t get medical insurance and a small thing, no flights 🙈.

So very good luck to you 💕

Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈