Fatty Liver and Low White Blood Cell Count

[Drew1969]

Had a Gallstone attack back in 2007 that led to my Gallbladder being removed. 2 months prior my blood tests showed elevated GGT (79 and 97) and Bilirubin (26 and 23). All other LFTs normal. 2008 I was then diagnosed with Fatty Liver. GGT 112, Bilirubin 22 and ALT now elevated to 52. It’s been a struggle since 2008 to get my GGT below the recommended figure of 50. Diet, reduced alcohol, increased exercise and weight loss has contributed to getting my figures within range (except for GGT). I do have digestive issues especially if I were to eat fried foods. I have bloating that seems to unbalance my mood and creates anxiety. I have tracked my Blood Tests since then and noticed my White Blood Cell Count is trending low (3.6) typically from my Neutrophils being low (1.8). I have started taking Vitamin E, C and Multi B supplements to repair my Liver and to see if my White Blood Cells increase in the process. I do take 5mg of Crestor for my elevated Cholesterol that is under control. I’m happy to hear from anyone else who has experienced these conditions. 

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Drew1969, firstly thank you for sharing your story. I am 4 weeks on from having my gallbladder removed, by open surgery, complications on the operating table meant the keyhole surgery had to be abandoned, after they had invaded me 4 times! My gallbladder issue was symptomless and only found after routine blood tests for medications following a severe stroke in March. Needless to say whereas I was symptomless before surgery I am far from symptomless now! The first three weeks have been alarming and have me researching gallbladder a lot which makes a change from stroke. Long-winded background , apologies.The vitamin b reference interests me. My wife had stage 4 bowel cancer, successfully treated, thankfully, and 10 years cancer free. But in recent times she has been increasingly troubled by neuropathy, especially her feet. At the time of chemo, neuropathy was a side effect so the fact it has surfaced again was in part thought to relate to that. But in the course of my reading for gallbladder, I came across a reference to absorption of vitamin b in the colon and that post bowel removal there is now a recommendation for Vitamin B supplements including injections. Vitamin B deficiency is associated with neuropathy. Vit b can be stored in the body for some time and isn't always noticed when it is absent or linked with symptoms. It is like many nutrients absorbed in the colon.

I find it hard to believe the reassurance that we can just do without our gallbladders and my experience over the last 4 weeks with my digestive system in complete turmoil seems to prove that in my case. So I have just started taking for the first time ever some supplements because of possible issues re the production of bile as a drip drip process for digestion rather than the through a bladder full of it at a meal!!! The issue for me is uncertainty about the bodies ability to adequately extract trace nutrients from my normal diet, with the gallbladder removed. Not least those vitamins and nutrients gained from fatty digestion.

My meds are Clopidogrel (75mg) and Atorvastatin (40mg) and I've not had any obvious side effects from these although I couldn't say now if these are contributing to my current symptoms. The raised bilirubin levels that prompted the operation were not associated with cholesterol levels which by both measures are very low before and after my stroke. The GP suspected fatty liver as a possibility but the scans came back clear but revealing a lot of gallstones which prompted the operation, before they caused a problem.

I do think there is insufficient research in this area. It's quite hard to find information that one might imagine justified the high number of gallbladder operations carried out as precautionary procedures following chance discovery!

Bit of a ramble but I'm genuinely interested in the replies you get. I suspect maybe not that many.

[Smokey001 in reply to Chinkoflight]

HiThe following might help and is my limited knowledge

Stomach acid and intrinsic factor is created by Parietal cells in the tummy.

HCL partbreaks down the food and protects from infection.

B12 is absorbed lower down in the colon but requires "intrinsic factor" for absorption.

Most B12 is eventually stored in the Liver and takes years for reserves to be depleted.

B12 comes mostly from meat or dairy

Taking B12 orally requires large amounts but your GP would need to be consulted.

If you have a B12 deficiency it can affect red blood cell and nerves. Best solution is injections directly into a muscle, normally the thigh. Depending on the person one shot can last a long time.

I think the B12 absorption process occurs lower down in the colon, but not completely sure on this point.

If you have a B12 deficiency it can lead to Penicious Anemia, which "I" call the old man's disease, it makes you feel knackered and generally unwell.

The gallbladder is just a storage vessel for bile created in the liver.

The Gallbladder kicks into action when you eat a fatty meal, you know the dreaded Whopper meal etc...

Thereby aids digestion of Fat.

I asked my GP for an intrinsic factor and HCL tests and was refused, the lady thought unecessary, tried privately but still required GP approval.

I occasionally take a few B12s if I feel a bit drained, a lot of the time the effects are unremarkable, sometimes they seem to help, but we can convince ourselves, it is no more than a placebo.

But overuse of B12 orally is not too much to worry about. Again all this should still be discussed with a GP.

B12 is important, but your GP can easily test.

But they rarely consider intrinsic factor, most likely due to cost or inaccuracy of test results.

B12 is important for many things

Bone health, red blood cell formation and function of the nervous system and others.

Hope some of this makes sense and helps, to my mind, the most overlooked element here is the intrinsic factor.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Smokey001]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Very helpful. I take supplements but just one tablet a week. I think daily is almost certainly pointless when you know you have a balanced diet. It's a bit of a precautionary principle. I can see the primitive adaptive principle behind the gallbladder being a feasting organ, when the deer was caught and eaten raw in the cave, but I'm not convinced that's it's only function. We don't really adapt to just in case moments.

[Smokey001]

Absolutely, as far as I am awareJust to make it clear to the best of my knowledge red and white blood cells are created in the bone marrow, so why I mentioned bone health.

@drew1969

A white cell count of 3.6 is not a worry normal range is 4 to 11. I doubt your GP would show be concerned.

[Drew1969 in reply to Smokey001]

Smokey001 my dr has got me rechecking it again in a months time. I’ll keep you posted.

[Smokey001 in reply to Drew1969]

Perfect. Some of my blood results over the years of issues, resembled the variances of the current stock market, sadly mostly lower than the ideal.

Good luck, you will be fine