Three months off...

[Scottc79]

Hi all. I've been a lurker here since I had some liver issues that were picked up from routine blood tests, with the usual culprits GGT, ALP, AST, ALT all raised. This was put down to fatty liver due to my high alcohol consumption, and rough liver texture on the ultrasound, by the hepatologist, based on the following "normal" results:

-Normal Fibroscan stiffness although the CAP suggested fatty liver.

-Normal hyaluronic acid.

-No liver-specific autoimmune antibodies.

-Cancer ruled out completely.

The hepatologist recommended complete abstinence from alcohol for three months and to lose weight. I've not touched alcohol since late May and I have lost about two stones in weight (approx. 13 kilos). I had my LFTs redone this week and AST and ALT have returned to the normal range, and my GGT and ALP have come down significantly although they are still raised. I am quite disappointed and concerned that they have not all returned to the normal range - the hepatologist said if they had not all returned to normal in three months then there could be a remote chance that I may have PSC owing to the fact I have Crohn's disease, though I have been asymptomatic since surgery in 2001. He did note that PSC is a remote possibility but it is still on my mind. I have since moved from the UK to Malaysia so I don't have access to my hepatologist anymore. The GP I saw today read my hepatologist's report as above, and said that he is not remotely concerned given that my levels have reduced significantly, some have returned to normal, and that the liver can take much longer than three months for everything to go back to normal. This kind of disagrees with what the hepatologist said regarding the three months.

I'm just wondering if anyone in the group has experience of it taking longer than three months for liver tests/fatty liver to return to normal? I am not looking for interpretation of results, or anything like that, just interested in peoples' experiences.

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Scottc79

I don’t have any experience with pac or fatty liver but I’m sure others who have will be more help to you. I will add the fact that your lft’s have came down significantly after following medical advise Shows that you are doing the right thing and maybe in another 3 months the results will be within normal range.

[Scottc79 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Angel46. Yeah, that's what the GP said, however the liver specialist told me they should be normal after three months otherwise there could be something else happening other than alcohol / fatty liver, so I am not sure what to think. I just managed to get a hepatologist appointment for tomorrow, so hopefully he can put my mind at rest.

[AyrshireK in reply to Scottc79]

It's not an exact science, no one can say by that date you'll be fine. It took a long time for the liver to get damaged/fat to build up so it can take a long time to clear. Keep up the good work and hopefully by the next tests the GGT and ALP will have come down further and you'll be on the road to recovery, if not then yes it'll be time to explore why and if there is potentially another cause.

Katie

[Hidden in reply to Scottc79]

The professionals know better than the likes of me. I do think if there wasn’t much reduction or none within that time frame after adhering to advice then it would definitely point towards something else, if it is significant change then the body is healing itself with a healthier lifestyle. I’m not saying that there isn’t an underlying condition, I’m saying the changes you have made are helping hugely so well done you. I’m glad you managed to get an appointment, they will be able to answer your questions . Keep us posted 😊

[Hidden]

Good morning Scottc79,

Congratulations on your abstinence and weight loss ! These are lifestyle changes that will have a positive impact on your long term liver health.

As the other forum members have suggested, coninue with your new regime and continue to be monitored.

Take care,

Trust9

[Scottc79]

Hi all, thank you so much for your replies. I just had my consultant appointment, he seemed amazed that my LFT numbers have dropped so much in three months! He did an ultrasound and confirmed there is almost zero fat in my liver now, just a "very tiny" amount of "unevenly distributed fat", which is amazing news. He said basically he saw no abnormalities on my liver or the surrounding area. He is not worried at all about the still elevated GGT and ALP, saying they can take as long as a year to go back to normal, even longer in some cases. I just need to get my bloods repeated in another three months.

Incidentally, this is my first experience of needing medical access since I moved to Malaysia and I can't believe how straightforward it was. From walking into the GP's office on Tuesday afternoon to today I've had my bloods taken, results back, and given the once-over by a consultant, all in excellent state-of-the-art facilities, and all for approximately £60. I won't hear a bad word said against the NHS, but it really is first class here compared to waiting times in the NHS and / or the cost in the UK if you want to go private.

The feeling that I've undone the damage to myself is euphoric. Huge lesson learned. And now I don't drink which is not bothering me nearly as much as I thought it would,

To anyone reading this who is stressed at the thought of giving up drinking, please try not to be, it is worth it in many, many ways. Thinking back to where I was, if I can do it then I am 100% certain anyone can.

[Hidden in reply to Scottc79]

Thanks for the update. That is great news that your consulatnt is so pleased with your progress.

Love your liver going forwards!

Best wishes.

[Ticktoc in reply to Scottc79]

I don't drink but have copd for years been on prednisolone and anti biotics statins and calcium channel blockers for years and after a recent mini heart attack diagnosed with a fib blood test came back showing raised liver and low autoimmune had ultrasound and consultant phone app said showed signs of course liver no explanation to cause just waiting for full series blood tests apparently this showed up in 2017but was never informed or investigated I have lost 1 1/2 stone due to diet changes and heart meds stopped prednisolone and ibuprofen ,amoxcillian hoping this will sort my liver probs out great to hear yours are ok fingers crossed mine will be think meds could be cause of mine want to get off statins as they don't help despite gp saying she doesn't think it s the meds just asked how much alcohol even tho I said I 've never been a big drinker and in last 10yrs I prob only had odd 4/5 alcoholic drinks

[Dann123]

Hi

Just joined

After an initial diabetes 2 review my bloods all came back bang on except my ggt was over a 1000

Was given Chlordiazepoxide to come off the alcohol. I have net drank during the day and I was blown over when the doc gave me the news.

I’m 5 days sober and waiting on an emergency scan and now fear the worst.

I’m a 60 year old male fit other than this ggt

[JohnTaylorAsia]

Hi Scott - not sure if 79 is yr age or DOB but i also live in Msia and had the old fatty liver issue. If you take the view that it takes a few years for (i am guessing) over indulgence in booze and bad foods to create the problem, or make it enuf to be detected by blood / ultrasound then i would be surprised that it would be "solved" in 3 months.

Based on the experience of people i know i would reckon you would need a year of abstinence, a fair bit of walking or good exercise and lots of fruit / veggies and "Good For Liver" foods.

It is hard to tell exactly - if this is something that has gradually built up over several years and you are a regular drinker then alcoholic fatty liver is a fair guess. But if your are a clean and mean Mormon type and it came up almost overnight then it might be worth looking at more closely.

The other one (off topic?) is Ferritin -- elevated by the above issues BUT also caused by Haemochromatosis so sometimes this is a complication. So if a doctor suspect HC the advise may include drying out so they can see how the liver enzymes react. I simple blood iron test RM 200 or so will tell you more.

Assuming you survive the drying out ... Merry Christmas .. John