I am a 59 year old female and I rarely drink alcohol. My ggt is 137 and other enzymes ok. I have had liver pain, get nausea and vague general pain all over abdomen. One ulstrasound clear six months ago, got to have another one and further blood tests. Anyone on here had same, who doesn't drink? Once last ultrasound was clear, no further investigations were done, doc said it was probably fatty liver. I am overweight but I do not eat fatty foods.
Any comments and advice greatly appreciated, thanks.
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salts99
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Yes and it’s been high for over 10 years, had all the numerous tests including a biopsy and no cause found. A recent CT has shown left lobe liver atrophy but my Gastro can’t fathom out why.
My GGT levels have reduced since having my gallbladder out 2 years ago but still slightly over range.
I did and still do get upper abdo pain and occasional nausea. I’ve had ulcerative colitis for 50 years so difficult to know if that’s a factor. My ALP was also raised but has been within normal range for a few years now so just GGT refusing to behave.
Are you on any medications that could be effecting your levels ? something to consider maybe.
Yes I have been on paracetamol/codeine for quite a while, also fluoxtine anti-depressant. I suppose this may have caused some damage. I have decided to stop the paracetamol/codeine to see if that makes a differene.
Morning salts. I have recently had mine back 224, with no apparent reason. Everything else within normal range. I have was also taking cocodamol for a tooth infection. Along side amoxicillan. My gp thought it could be a factor.
Maybe it's worth mentioning it to them and see if it's feasible for you to come off the pain relief? 😊
I’ve been on morphine for 11 years they don’t do that at all my husband higher dose and his levels perfect so highly doubt that , Tylenol will do the damage not the pain medicine those Tylenol can if take it daily though
If you have been told by your doc you have fatty liver and you know you are over weight, you need to change your diet to reduce the fat in your liver and will also lose weight. You don't become over weight by eating healthily so although you say you don't eat fatty food, foods overloaded with salt and sugar turn to fat in the body.
I would have the ct scan and ultrasound again and more blood work since they don’t even know with me and I’ve had it all and normal showing but little ast and atl were slightly higher by points only like 42 and 50 and no fatty liver never ate bad but did have anorexia in opposite side since age 14 so unsure if that did any thing
Hi I have had raised GGT for many years now. I have been told I have NAFLD but my BMI is less than 25. My issue is apparently high Cholesterol and I can’t take Statins. With further reading it’s not clear to me whether NAFLD causes High Cholesterol or the other way round!
I went to see another consultant and as it was around GGT -120 he said to ignore as it’s such a sensitive enzyme. Told me not to worry !
You can be thin and have NAFLD, one of the causes is having hypercholesterolemia over time plus certain genes. In my family, in addition to hemochromatosis, we have the pnpla3 gene variant CG, which makes you prone to this problem. One of the symptoms is elevated GGT.
Yes, I'm a thin runner and have borderline NAFLD with low BMI of 22, good diet, and no alcohol. Problem is hypercholestemia -- high LDL:4.1, TG:0.6, HDL:1.7, TC:5.8. Haven't checked GGT. Liver enzymes are normal. MRI showed small < 8mm cysts. First noticed a year ago with discomfort under right rib, persistent, but not painful. Trying to lower cholesterol taking some natural sups-- red yeast rice and plant sterols.
Hi my liver level was very high also. I also do not drink or eat too bad. They put mine down (eventually) to the medication I was taking namely statins n metformin. Just wonder if u take any medications?
Thanks for your response. Yes I was taking paracetamol/codeine for joint pain and I also take fluoxetine. I have stopped taking the paracetamol now and starting on anti-inflammatories instead.
You need to be cautious of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories too as they are also not liver friendly. People with liver disease arn't meant to take them and although you only seem to have fatty liver just now you need to be careful.
Has your joint pain issue been examined? What are your liver bloods saying? Other than the GGT is your ALT ever elevated? I ask because joint pain is often a symptom in auto immune hepatitis - has anyone ever run any auto immune marker tests for you?
No, don't thinkso. I'm not sure how to ask or suggest the docs things I think it may be. This forum is so helpful. I also have pale stools which are a symptom of pbc
hello,Well ,I've always had a very High ggt level....havent had a drop of liquor in over 3 years. I take ensure plus .. u r doing as best u can. my worst ggt level was 700...but since dropped off sometimes doctors treat you unfairly,and that shouldn't b the case. behind every story,,,things can be behind the seems.. my best chrisx
You would probably has PBC , ask your doctor for an specific blood test to find out. AMA, ANA , etc . It is my opinion , I am not a doctor but have had PBC for more than 10 years.Good luck ,
Thank you for your response. I am constantly exhausted and have joint pain but that could be due to menopause! I'm not sure I can ask the doctor to test for that? How did you find out, what were your symtpoms?
Paracetamol is deadly toxic to the liver so can put the liver under a lot of pressure if taken regularly. Hopefully it's just one of those things. My sister has had high liver enzymes since her first child and she it tea total and a skinny minny. No explanation at all.
For many years I had increased GGT, without any other symptoms, but each year it increased a little more. They sent me to Internal Medicine after doing pelvic echoes, and a scanner, without finding many findings, well, the liver was slightly enlarged. Internal Medicine did an exhaustive blood test, which included screening for autoimmune diseases. You could ask your doctor for this special test.
Hey! I had minor higher ast like few points and atl one point over the gi recommendation and didn’t drink at the time I did drink once in a blue moon but I’m only 36 and under weight normal 120lb at 5’9 and I do not eat fried foods so they have no idea I had ultrasound and blood and even ct scan and all normal liver looks so they are unsure what it is sadly I wish nothing my Ana was positive but the rest negative and no lupus etc
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