worried about my dad

[BethForrest]

Hi everyone. 🙏🏻 I'm so very proud of my dad. He has done 18 days sober and it's the longest he's ever gone without a drink in 40 years. I asked the Dr yesterday to print this off and I'm struggling with interpretating them into what I understand. Any ideas just basically whats going on? He's currently waiting on urgent ct scan and urgent hepatology appointment ♥️ hope you are all well 💝 and thanks for reading my posts. From a very loving daughter. 💛

[BethForrest]

2nd pix

Blood test results

[AyrshireK in reply to BethForrest]

Hi Beth, whilst I can totally empathise and understand your concerns about your Dad, sadly it is against forum rules to post piccies or results for comment. Whilst many of us could have a reasonable 'go' at interpreting them it would be totally wrong for us to do so. As lay people who are not qualified and also not in full possession of your Dad's medical history we can't interpret results. Hopefully when your Dad's doctor is in receipt of the full picture based on current results and those of the upcoming tests then you'll get a sit down discussion to fully explain things and hopefully your Dad is going to involve you in these appointments so you are fully informed and equipped to support him.

The BLT main website is a great resource and they have a page on liver tests explained and another on the patient charter about levels of care and questions to ask your doctor.

As a priority I would get yourself a notebook and prior to any appointment jot down Dad's current meds, any/all symptoms or concerns and a list of all tge questions you want to ask .....this gelps avoid the memory blanks that come with 'white coat syndrome' and will help you make the most of consultations.

Katie

[BethForrest in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie I'm so sorry for posting them and I will get a notebook thank you

[Roy1955]

The scores printed in bold are the ones the Dr is concerned about.These are early tests that warrent further investigation.

The Fib4 score is calculated from other test results that are not shown on that list.

It's good he stopped drinking because removing the cause of the damage very often stops it getting worse.

[BethForrest in reply to Roy1955]

Hi Roy thanks for your help I appreciate your answer

[Mango5cm]

Hi Beth - I’m in a similar situation with my son I who is; slightly older than your dad . He was a regular drinker for about 40 years and stopped 9 month ago when he started having problems with his liver .Your dad’s done well to stop for 18 days . I can tell how much you love your dad and how worried you are .- it’s good that he’s got you to care about him but please look after yourself as well . Katie always gives good advice and she has helped me with her replies as has everyone else on this forum -joining it was the best thing I’ve done and if you need to phone the British liver trusts nurses they are so helpful .

When I go with my son and his wife to appointments I take a notebook with me as it’s easy to forget things . I also took a printed list of my sons symptoms - from his lack of appetite toilet problems itchy skin weight lose swollen feet not being able to sleep grumpiness -anything that had changed. I put his name on dob nhs number and the date and I leave a copy with them . I also give them a list of medication and any related family health issues .

I get his nhs profile on my nhs app so I can keep a check on appointments blood tests and I monitor his results . I don’t know how you feel but I’d rather know everything then I seem to be able to deal with it better and be more able to support my son .

Keep posting on here Beth - anything at all as we are all here to listen and help if we can . I hope you have family and friends to help you and your dad . Best wishes Carol x

[Hey___]

Hi Beth....I hope you are well. Your dad has done 18 years sober. That is amazing and you must be so proud!! 😊 Blood tests are for me a confusion of medical jargon and the only people who can interpret them are Doctors.I understand your concerns because of my own family members but your dad has done so well and still will!!🙏...All my best wishes to you and your dad....Mark

[2022orNever]

Hi Beth,

I came to this forum hoping for answers about my own tests (not realising it was against the rules until they were just deleted). I feel pretty lost now as I thought that someone from the British Liver Trust would be able to help me. I hope you get the answers you need.

[LemonMeringue15 in reply to 2022orNever]

If you call the BLT helpline they will help you. The only reason you can't post test results photos etc in here is that anyone can reply and most of us aren't medically trained. The BLT helpline is staffed by nurses who can give you advice based on your personal circumstances. They were very helpful to me when my ex was hospitalised and just before he died.

[Roy1955 in reply to LemonMeringue15]

Also someone with full on symptoms and being very sick can have the same test readings as someone who is compensated and have no physical indication of cirrhosis.Dr's treat the patient they do not treat the test result.

A piece of paper is only a small part of the diagnosis.

[Hey___]

Sorry 18 days sober! Apologies for my misinterpretation as I have just woke up!😉Your dad is in the right hands! Good luck and do your best to not stress!...Mark

[Aotea2012]

Hi, 18 days without a drink is great...well done him. That’s the most difficult part of the giving up process as the body is so used to alcohol that it can react badly to not having any. The worst of the physical withdrawal will be over. The psychological components take longer and it’s important that he gets support with this. His doctor will be able to refer him for help from alcohol services. It’s important he accesses this, as now he’s stopped he really doesn’t want to relapse. In terms of the results, we’re not qualified to interpret them for you. I think that given he’s been referred to a hepatologist and is waiting on the scan, then the GP has acted on the results and he will, therefore, be getting the right input to look at his liver in the round. There’s some really good pages on the BLT website on blood tests and what they mean and you will find a lot of information on there too about liver disease in general. Bloods alone can indicate a problem or not. I have well compensated cirrhosis and my bloods are all in normal range, I’ve read people on here with elevated results who have gone on for investigation to find they have no issues. Also, given he’s only recently given up alcohol which is the probable cause of the elevations, then his health will only improve and with it his results will change. It’s easier said than done, but try not to worry too much at the moment as you don’t really know what the specialist will say and what the scan will show. Make sure he gets support to keep away from alcohol, that’s the singularly most important thing you can do for him. The liver is remarkable organ and once the thing that’s caused the damage is removed, it can recover. Recovery can be complete or to some degree, depending on the amount of damage. Good luck and keep us posted.

[redpoint72]

hello love. say well done to dad.....thats great. also I'd. say contact the blt nurses,as has been previously mentioned. they won't be able to take calls until Tuesday,but they are so friendly and can go through things you may want to discuss. there are great.its a long battle to give up drink,but your dad has done so well. I wish you both the best. chris

[Ozzie1961]

If you go with him to appointments, it may help you understand what is going on, my daughter always comes to mine when I have appointments with my liver consultant so she can hear what's going on ,because I never remember a word she says and she also gets the same results posted t her,I requested it

[Dogbot]

Hi Beth as an alcoholic that hasn’t touched alcohol for 19 years, the best advice I can give you is don’t you worry about all the figures and initial’s let your doctors do that they are qualified. The best you can do for your dad is say well done for doing 18 days and a bit of praise, then keep on doing what ever it is your doing to help him , because just being there day to day listening and talking will be a great help through the first days of giving up they are so hard. I promise it dose get easier but it takes a long time and a lot of hard work with lots of support.💕My thoughts are with you

Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈