Worried googling everything

Hi my son has just been called back for a 2nd blood test to do with his liver. I read it’s normal that abnormal results can be mild or temporary is this true. Thankyou

[DavyGravy]

Hi Julie

Googling is a vicious negative circle that needs to be broken, people google, anxiety makes them focus on the worst case scenarios, then they search out replies to those fears. We actively encourage all in the liver forum to only read NHS and recommended information.

Abnormal results on one test can mean anything or nothing, sometimes a warning marker might flag up on a blood test and following tests/ scans show nothing untoward.

Blood tests (relating to the liver) might also be for different reasons, I needed a few to identify my hepatitis c (probably curable). There is no point worrying over the unknown and (if you read some of the stories on here) you will see that even people with liver problems can manage them and in some cases reverse any damage with lifestyle changes.

So it's best to get some information from his GP/ consultant and then go from there, but I hope it is nothing that needs more than a quick fix.

Wishing you both well

Dave

[Smegmer]

Could do with more information. Why was he having Liver tests to begin with ? Do you know the numbers for said tests ?

[Hidden in reply to Smegmer]

Hi it was just a routine blood test. Sorry if I sound silly but are liver blood tests different. Apologies for sounding silly

[Smegmer]

Did he have a full set of "liver function tests" ? If he had some standard bloods 1st, then the 2nd set are likely to be the said LFT. An LFT will measure inflammation markers and the ability of the Liver to carry out of functions. It will be part of a puzzle the Drs will be using. But having raised Liver enzymes short term is not necessarily an issue. Is he on any long term medications ?

[Hidden in reply to Smegmer]

Hi Thankyou again. It’s easy my worry slightly. He has been on an anti depressant Calle Sertraline since May last year.

[Smegmer in reply to Hidden]

Its could be the anti depressants causing some mild Liver enzymes rise, I have seen a fair few with this issue, dont remember the name of the drug though. Personally I don't think its good for people to be taking these long term, I think it better to get to root cause of the depression and try to correct it rather than mask it with years of drugs.

[LFTmystery in reply to Hidden]

This causes my LFTs to elevate. Any SSRIs - sertraline or paroxetine.

[Hidden in reply to LFTmystery]

Thankyou for reply. Are you on Sertraline if you don’t mind me asking x

[LFTmystery in reply to Hidden]

I went off it for this reason. It didn't cause any long-term damage if that makes you feel better. Do you know how high they are and what ones? It was my ALT and GGT.

[Hidden in reply to LFTmystery]

No sorry I don’t this was just a first blood test to say something showed up with bloods in the live hence a 2nd blood test recall. So it was actual Sertraline you were on. He’s on 50mg has been for 6months or more first ever blood test since on them x

[LFTmystery in reply to Hidden]

Yup could well be if other causes are excluded eg. too much alcohol, overweight, infectious, autoimmune and the other more rare causes of liver elevations.

[Hidden in reply to LFTmystery]

He’s not what call a drinker. He’s only 30 and like any person when they were younger and clubbing he drunk but definitely not has he’s grown up more. If he drinks now it’s more with a meal once a week if that but that’s going out and he drives so always keeps to the legal limit. He’s 5ft 8 in height has put a bit of weight on I think he said 14st 3lb the last he weighed himself. Apart from that he’s always been healthy never done drugs.

[Hidden]

Hi JulieBookworm1968 - no question is silly! I'll attach a link to Liver Blood Tests Explained which may help you. It is common for bloods to be repeated - a diagnosis is generally not made on one set of blood tests. If it would help to talk and you are in the UK, our nurse led helpline is open Monday to Friday 0800 652 7330 10am to 3pm.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Trust10.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your message I’m just so worried. They did say that elevated levels can be temporary is that right.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely, it could be elevated for a number of reasons then gradually come down to normal. Keep us posted x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou also wee is dark in the morning but lighter throughout the day

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

Dark wee in a morning is normal and due to overnight dehydration in those long hours when no liquid is consumed.

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Thankyou he’s says it changes throughout the day

[pushthrough]

Hello Julie, I would try not to worry. If the doctor feels it's necessary to run further test they can run a blood test that's called a fibrotest in the states. It's called something else in the UK. It's very likely nothing. Elevated blood levels can happen for a variety of non harmful reasons. When you say his urine was dark, what color did it look like? A dark yellow is normal in the am. STAY OFF GOOGLE.

[Hidden in reply to pushthrough]

Thankyou for your message I really appreciate it. His wee is dark in the morning and changes in the day he’s not I’ll though. I will try not to Google

[Smegmer in reply to Hidden]

Most people have darker wee in the morning. Raised Bilirubin would be a colour similar to Coke or Tea without milk

[Hidden in reply to Smegmer]

Thankyou I don’t think it’s as dark as that

[Smegmer in reply to Hidden]

My sister is on Antipsychotic drugs long term and her doctors test her Liver enzymes periodically to keep an eye things. Some of these type drugs are heavy on the body.

[Hidden in reply to Smegmer]

Thankyou again for the message. Hope it’s something simple.

[pushthrough in reply to Smegmer]

That's why I asked for the color. My urine looked similar to Coke and my Bilirubin wasn't even that high. It's a good sign it's not that dark Julie. Also, I take antipyschotics as well and they are no where near as harmful to the liver as alcohol. However that all depends on the antipyschotic as Smegmer pointed out. My specialist said any SSRI is ok and I have compensated cirrhosis.

[Hidden]

Thankyou again. He’s been on Sertraline antidepressant for over a year now. Who knows if it’s that. You have been so helpful

[Kristian]

Hi Julie,

Having isolated elevations of the standard liver tests is very common. When that happens its standard practice to have a repeat blood test done a few weeks later to see if the issue is persisting.

As others have said there are many many things that can lead to a rise in these liver tests. Most of which are easily treated and many can resolve on their own. The liver can be quite a sensitive little beastie at times and its doesn't take too much for the markers they test for to rise, even in quite benign situations.

I note that your son is taking medication and this could be a reason his liver tests are raised. Indeed, its probably one of the reasons they've done the test. It can be very common for quite a lot of medications to have a bit of an impact on the liver, even the common over the counter stuff like ibuprofen can have such an effect. So, if the tests are still elevated they may decide to review his medication or dose, or they may decide its ok to leave as it is and just monitor it for a while longer.

Hope thats helpful.

[Hidden]

Thankyou so much for a lovely message. Everyone on here is so lovely. Xx