Alcohol : Why would it be in your blood... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Alcohol

45 Replies

Why would it be in your blood if you havnt drunk

45 Replies
Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012

I don’t understand. Do you mean alcohol traces in your blood or the effects of alcohol in your body, e.g. raised liver enzymes?

in reply to Aotea2012

Alcohol traces in your blood

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

You and your son need to await the results of the second blood test he's to have. This story is growing legs with each telling, from elevated bloods, to borderline bloods to mildly elevated to now alcohol appearing in the blood. Don't know where the alcohol poisoning came into the tale too.

I think anyone offering any sort of reasoning behind your sons bloods on here is just going to end up fuelling your anxieties sending you off into more Googling and more panic.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. Leave it be until you even know if there is an issue. At present from all accounts it's been one mildly elevated set of bloods - you haven't even said which bloods were out of range. Elevations of bloods can occur for all manner of very, very simple reasons (which i've now explained three times). Doctors don't get excited/worried until bloods are 3 or 4 times upper limit of normal which would be far above 'borderline' which just means they are on the cusp of elevation. (There are members here who will have had elevations of bloods - ALT for instance where 40 is about the top of range but theirs has read into the 1000's).

You may be getting yourself horrendously worked up and dare I say it obsessed about something which may yet (at second blood test) have returned totally to normal and if not then it's up to doctors to identify the answer for your son.

in reply to AyrshireK

Thankyou for your reply I’m sorry if I’ve offended you in anyway like I just said to the last person with a lovely message it’s more my anxiety I think that’s consuming me. You’ve be very kind and again sorry for any upset I may have caused

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

You've not upset or offended me in anyway. Your own health anxiety is getting the better of you when there may be absolutely nothing wrong with your son. But as he suffers from depression already you are NOT helping either him or yourself with this constant searching for problems that may not actually exist.

Katie

in reply to AyrshireK

Thankyou for your teply I don’t tell my son I’m googling it’s just me. I’m just so scared. Can you just get cirrhosis or are there signs I believe your husband had no signs at all

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

My husband probably had auto immune liver disease which never showed any symptoms whilst it was doing it's damage but he also never had any blood tests done whilst on a long term medication which might have been the culprit. From 2008 onwards (before I knew him) he was showing lots of obvious liver symptoms but sadly at the time these were masked by him also being told he had anxiety, depression and exhaustion since he was coping with caring for his Dad who was suffering dementia. By the time it was obvious he had liver disease he had end stage decompensated cirrhosis symptoms.

Your son has had one set of marginally elevated bloods, you can't start panicking that this is anything more than one elevated blood test. The second test is to see if the first was merely a blip or more of a pattern. If it's a pattern they may well keep an eye on his bloods some more or send him for scans.

You can't compare your sons current status to that of anyone else because everyone is an individual.

Katie

in reply to AyrshireK

Katie Thankyou so much you have been so helpful I truly appreciate it very much. Bless you and your husband I really wish him all the best and yourself to. I hope I’m just overthinking I’m definitely going to need hep for my anxiety has it’s got worse over the years. Thankyou so much again xx

Positive001 profile image
Positive001

I'm a bit confused ... your previous post just yesterday was asking about alcohol poisoning and today you are asking about alcohol in the blood without having drunk ? Yet your son does drink to a degree, maybe more than you are aware of? That's not unusual. So he's been on sertraline for depression for over a year? That's a long time considering it can cause liver damage and to be taking that antidepressant and drinking alcohol is neither safe or of any benefit since alcohol is a depressant. I think the best solution is to address his alcohol consumption ie give it up ( no amount is safe, and he should not be drinking and driving at all) and find out the cause of his depression and get professional help rather than taking long term antidepressants with potentially dangerous side effects. Oh and if you are going to continue googling, the livertrust and NHS have the most honest and reliable information. Hope your son gets himself sorted out and stops causing you so much anxiety.

in reply to Positive001

Hi Thankyou for your reply yes my son does drink but I also know how much as he lives with me he’s never drove at all only drinks more than the guidelines at celebrations eg Xmas etc and only when he goes out for a meal again within guidelines. I’m thinking like you with the antidepressants and alcohol but I googled again sorry and Sertraline doesn’t seem to affect the liver and the doctor said he was ok to have a drink with them. His blood test was borderline like I said and when the doctor called him yesterday for another reason he asked her if it was ok to have a couple of beers last night as he was going for a meal. I really appreciate your informative message Thankyou

in reply to Positive001

Thankyou I really do appreciate your honest reply. It’s more my anxiety overtaking me than anything else which I feel I need to get to grips with. Thankyou again and I’m sorry if I’ve offended you in anyway.

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to

No not offended at all. I am just concerned your son has been on these antidepressants for such a long time and his question is "Can l drink while on them?" If that is what he wants to know, alarm bells would be ringing for me ..... why is being able to drink so important to him?

in reply to Positive001

It was just a general question.amongst others that he asked regarding the Sertraline and apparently it’s a 1% chance they will affect your liver. Other questions were do they affect my driving but maybe the drink and tablets shouldn’t mix who knows . I appreciate all feedback though. Thankyou so much

Hi JulieBookworm1968 - as others have kindly suggested, it may be better for your mental health to take a day away from the internet. The NHS has a useful page on anxiety which may be useful for you to have a look at.nhs.uk/mental-health/condit...

Take care,

Trust10.

C1JAM profile image
C1JAM

There's alcohol in fruit

jbrking profile image
jbrking

Hi Julie. From reading this and previous posts I understand you’re worried about your son’s liver results? As others have said, they can sometimes be raised for no reason, and it’s not always alcohol. I had similar issues nearly 20 years ago in my 30s. I hardly drank, ate well, but suddenly I was exhausted and I put on a few stone in a few months and nothing had changed. Anyway, full set of bloods showed my lipid profile (fats in blood) like ALT, gamma gt, triglycerides, cholesterol were all a minimum of 5x what they should be. I was asked about alcohol because gamma gt at my level was usually only seen in someone who was an alcoholic. When I say I don’t drink I literally have 2 glasses at Xmas and maybe one a few times a year. Barely anything. More tears and scans and revealed I had a fatty liver so my condition is classed as nafld (non alcoholic fatty liver disease). On the outside I looked like a normal sized person, inside my liver was twice the size it should be. No yellowing, no itching, no other signs. I’m on statins, feno fibrate, and blood pressure meds to help protect me. And I have regular scans. Even on meds my levels are high but stable. I’ve lived with this for 20 years and it’s not progressed into anything sinister, and no reason why it should as long as I keep myself healthy. They think mine was hereditary and metabolic issues. Doesn’t mean I can’t live a normal life. I have regular checks.

in reply to jbrking

Thankyou for such an uplifting message. I really appreciate the time you took to explain things. I understand everyone is different. Like I say my son drunk with lads in his 20s but it’s either a couple of beers if he goes out for a meal or otherwise celebrations eg Xmas etc. He’s 5ft 8 and 14 and half st so a little overweight I guess. He’s never really been ill more footy injury’s I Han anything else. Your journey is inspiring. Thankyou again. Julie x

jbrking profile image
jbrking

Thanks. Plus my son is on setraline, a small dose, for a few years now. No affects on him.

Positive001 profile image
Positive001

Your son really does need to do something about his weight. At 5ft 8 inches tall and weighing 14 and a half stone he has a BMI of 30.8 so he is not a little overweight, he is obese which will limit his life considerably. He needs a much healthier diet and plenty of exercise which you can support him with. Daily brisk walks would be a good start. Exercise is one of the best ways to ease stress and lift your mood therefore will help get him out of this depression he has. See the doctor and arrange for him to see a dietician in order for him to move forward for a happier healthier future.Best wishes.

Laura

Zukosmile07 profile image
Zukosmile07 in reply to Positive001

This walking is not working for your stress Laura...chill out girl. That is meant with extreme jokeism, hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to Zukosmile07

I am probably the most unstressed person you could come across. My days of constant worry and concern are well and truly over l am pleased to say. 😀👍

Zukosmile07 profile image
Zukosmile07 in reply to Positive001

Teehee 😱🤣🤣

Ollie9098 profile image
Ollie9098 in reply to Positive001

Could you sharpen my knifes Laura 😂😂

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to Ollie9098

🤣🤣Yes ... with my teeth .... it's my party trick !!

in reply to Positive001

Hi Thankyou again he’s aware of his weight but has always played football and gone to the gym. Yes I totally agree he’s overweight but it’s all muscle not flab though I know still not good. He’s one of those who has the big solid arms and suchlike. Doesn’t lead a life where he sits if anything total opposite. But I understand where your coming from. Thankyou for the supportive messages. Xx

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955 in reply to

Excessive exercise can cause abnormal blood results!!!!.

in reply to Roy1955

He’s not excessively exercising. It’s just football at weekends and occasionally the gym.

in reply to Positive001

Wow

Excuse me please

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955

Why are you asking about alcohol in the blood if he has not drunk?I doubt he has had an alcohol blood test unless for legal reasons.

Alcohol detection is not a normal test ordered by a Dr!

Has he been caught drink driving and looking for an excuse to get away with it?

in reply to Roy1955

No he hasn’t been caught drink driving. at all. He’s never drunk drove at all. He has to travel for work an hour everyday and has been in the same job since he was 16. In which he’s worked his way up the ladder. It was me asking I’m just asking different things that’s all.

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955 in reply to

Why ask about blood alcohol if that test has never been done?

Charlie-legs profile image
Charlie-legs

I have just been reading through these posts. How old is the person being discussed.?

in reply to Charlie-legs

Hi Charlie-legs he’s 31

gspleo profile image
gspleo

I was interested that you said you know he doesn't drink because he lives with you. Many people with drink problems have no problem hiding it from their close family. "Alcohol is the mother of invention"

in reply to gspleo

I know what your saying but I do know. My son does not secretly drink does not over drink like I said in his 20s with his mates yes. Celebrations eg Xmas last time was a stag do when the euros were on. I’m not judging anyone on here not ever but I know my son he’s to much for his little girl. Been in the same job since he left school worked his way up to be a manager drives an hour to work.

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to

My husband admitted to his councellor that he had been abusing alcohol since he was 15. When l told his Mother and sister, who he lived with at the time, they said they had no idea and couldn't believe it . So please don't kid yourself that you know how much or little he drinks. And his muscular but over weight build doesn't tally with the small amount of exercise you told Roy he does. It appears you both have some problems which need tackling and l hope you seek the help you need for your addiction problems ... googling, diet, alcohol, denial and depression. You are digging yourself into a hole and need professional care to get out.Good luck.

in reply to Positive001

Wow

While I appreciate your messages I’m not kidding myself because I know my son it’s that simple and really not possible for a person who goes to and from work everyday and nothing else to secretly drink without me knowing. My self and my partner would know. With regards to his muscular build you can stay the same weight even if your were going to the gym everyday or once a week to tone up. I feel I’m angering you in some way well all I’m doing and have been doing is talking to some lovely people on here. I’ve always suffered from anxiety and I know that. Has for anything else no

Positive001 profile image
Positive001 in reply to

I'm not angered at all but considering you spend so much time googling, you are coming up with some very inaccurate information. Your post is full of contradiction. But you are obviously happy with your life of googling and asking random questions and giving " yes but..... " replies. So have a good day. Take care.

Zukosmile07 profile image
Zukosmile07

Hi Julie, I think some of the members are giving you the advice needed and you are agreeing and then googling again and asking similar questions about your son. You said yourself that you suffer for anxiety and Katie, Laura, myself and a few others have asked you not to Google as it increases anxiety, you then agree and repeat the process over and over.We have all suffered one way or another with this disease and I'm sorry Julie but you have to be patient. The results take time, the tests take time fact. Nothing you can Google will speed things up or change the results pending. Please take the friendly advice given.... Danny x

in reply to Zukosmile07

Hi Danny and Good Morning I really appreciate your message and very much understand where your coming from I just feel that some of the messages were quite rude and upsetting that’s all. I’m in no means a nasty person at all I do no my son very very well and just feel that he’s just been slated a little when yes I’ve been googling yes I’ve be a pain but I’ve not at all ever said anyone has a drink problem or is overweight I would not comment on such delicate matters. How in all honesty does that help anyone. I would like to say I received noting but lovely messages from yourself and lots of others though it’s just a few comments that have upset me really. Thanks julie xx

Zukosmile07 profile image
Zukosmile07 in reply to

Water off a ducks back springs to mind. Try to remember most of us have seen this before. I was worried about my new liver being rejected and there was talk about biopsy and I (never did I worry even with end of life liver disease) wrote my concerns on here and in return I got "shutit Dan your medication just needs tweaking" (not quite like that Katie but that is basically what you said but my touch sounded funnier😂) So don't Google stay calm and patiently wait for your son's results, deal with things if they arise and not before...simples... teehee 😇 Danny x

in reply to Zukosmile07

Thanks Danny I appreciate your message once again. Your doing great. Inspiring like I said. Really good genuine nice person. Xx

Charlie-legs profile image
Charlie-legs

👋 👋 👋 hi Julie, unfortunately I would go to work with my alcohol levels up to the point where I had stopped shaking, go to work as a nurse in a big hospital, shameful. I had moved back to my parents house as I had split from my chap. I did everything I could to hide it but you can't forever. That's if it's the case.BTW, everyone here cares, please don't get upset...Michelle x

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