Only 31 and worried

[Melissa91]

hi I’m hoping someone can help me please about 6 weeks ago I had the doctors ring to say my liver bloods were slightly raised and to re do bloods in 6 weeks, after doing them today I received this text from the doctors

Your IRON level is low, but you are not anaemic.

Increasing dietary iron (meat, fish, eggs etc) or taking tablets(available otc) will help. Taking something rich in Vitamin C (eg Kiwi fruit, orange juice, green leafy veg) at the same time aids absorption of the iron.

Also, one of the liver tests is a little raised. Unless there are any particular risk factors, we would generally advise abstaining from alcohol and repeating the test in about 4weeks. Please arrange the repeat test, or an appointment if you have any queries.

So they are still raised, could this be something serious? I’m so worried im a mam of three and I’m not up at 3.20 because I can’t sleep due to worry. What would be your next steps?

I wouldn’t say I drink much at all.

[AyrshireK]

Abstain completely as advised and do the retest as your doctor has correctly requested. If there is a pattern of elevation with no booze in the equation then further investigation may be needed but they've said slightly elevated so not something to get majorly alarmed about.

How are the rest of your lifestyle factors - weight, healthy diet, exercise, smoking, vaping?

We can all generally do more to help look after our liver and it's good your doctor is following up these tests and sorts proactive.

Katie

[Melissa91 in reply to AyrshireK]

weight I would say perfect, or even slightly under. A lot of fizzy drinks but whilst I’m sat here have decided only water from tomorrow. No smoking or vaping. I have read a few things about gall bladder removal, I had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago could this be linked?

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Melissa91

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Anon888]

Hi Melissa, for over 2 years I have had slightly raised liver enzymes. Repeated blood tests etc. Prior to this everything was normal.

One thing that kept popping up was I was given ciprofloxacin for pre sepsis and the enzymes happened shortly after- other patients have experienced out of whack liver enzymes from same group of antibiotics.

Were you taking any meds at the time of blood work?

I now know that some individuals have slightly raised liver enzymes - they only know with blood work.

Bloods appear to have normalised but it took time.

My mind was going haywire too.

It's great your GP is active and trying to rule out any underlying issues.

Easier said than done but try and not stress.

[skay1957]

Don't drink any alcohol at all. Lose some weight if you're overweight. Drink coffee. Eat a Mediterranean diet. Exercise. Change to this lifestyle. It'll be hard to stick to at first but it could save you from developing anything serious in the future.