review bloods

[Orangeskys]

don’t know where to start really , sharing my absolute embarrassing blood results . Had follow up bloods after seeing gp for depression and anxiety . Opened up and told him I drank a bottle of wine a day ! Now secretly . Just had GGT results 216 ! I really don’t know what to do ,

[deanw41]

My GGT was 654 when I was in hospital. GGT is an inflammation marker particularly sensitive to alcohol (I think). Mine came down when I removed the assault (alcohol).l

[Orangeskys in reply to deanw41]

As a retired nurse I am mortified 😫

[deanw41 in reply to Orangeskys]

Well, because you ‘ should’ of know better?? You’re human ( I assume), sh#t happens. What is your plan?

[Orangeskys in reply to deanw41]

Not got one yet

[Snips71 in reply to Orangeskys]

Please don’t be. Remember what you would have said to your patients. Be kind to yourself x

[redpoint72]

Well hello.Calm yourself down......

Your aware of an issue that needs addressing....

Ive been there and as Dean has mentioned....we are only human!!! Me for one is not going to stand in judgement.....ever. My ggt levels were way higher at there worst just about 1000🙄😐 so not good.

Thats when I was drinking daily.......

Not drank for over 4 years, but its still at 395!!!!..

It is a very sensitive liver enzyme, but you probably know that already being a nurse,although retired.

Its not only alcohol that can increase ggt levels...other medication can as well.

Again as Dean had said ....whats your or your doctors plan of action???

Don't mither yourself.

Deep breath.

My best.

Chris

[Orangeskys in reply to redpoint72]

Thank you

[Orangeskys in reply to redpoint72]

thank you x

[geordie33]

My GGT has gone up from 400 to 1180 6 weeks after stopping drinking and 6 months after cutting back dramatically. I was shocked. Got an ultrasound on Saturday-not expecting anything good. Don't beat yourself up-nurses are human too with a stressful job.I had a high level management position and should have been intelligent enough not to live the way I did but can't turn back the clock. Best of luck

[Orangeskys in reply to geordie33]

Thank you and good luck

[Orangeskys]

thanks everyone 😊

[Roy1955]

Not time to panic yet because it's highly likely the only "treatment" needed is to cut out the vino for a while or better still permanently. BUT if that's sounding daunting and you have the thought that life's not worth living without that bottle a day your going to need help doing it.

Be honest with your Dr, they have heard it all and can offer support.

Look up alcohol and drug services in your area (and yes alcohol Is a drug and it's your drug of choice)

CGL is good (change grow live) as well as Addaction.

They will help with your sober problems alongside your wine problems.

You can self refer to both services.

It takes a brave person to ask for help.

Best thing I ever did!

Do you know that booze makes anxiety and depression worse?

[Orangeskys in reply to Roy1955]

Yes my anxiety is off the scale

[Oldbits]

Hi, dont panic. Yes maybe knock the drink on the head and you've already been extremely brave by chatting to your dr. Ask him for help if it's something you cant do alone, as has already been said they've heard it all before and want you to get better. As Roy has mentioned CGL, they worked wonders on my hubbie, acupuncture, counselling and someone who didnt judge him for his secret drinking. The gp referred him but you can refer yourself too. He had medication for his anxiety for about 6 months as well. Its turned his life around. He filled the gap that drinking left with guitar lessons that he had always wanted. I wont say it was an easy journey but after 3 months he didnt miss the vodka. It's now been 18 months without. I wish you well xx

[Tommy62]

My was in the 1000s was told I was borderline cirrhosis 19.5 stopped drinking for 10 months got it down to 76 but I've relapsed many a time and am still on and of the drink was at hospital a few weeks back for something different and doc told me all my bloods where ok I said about bloods for my liver because I was drinking the week before she said they are all fine to be honest I dont know how plus I had a ct scan done because my ultrasound was to much gas in abdomen that's 12 weeks ago done bloods before the ultrasound must 16 to 18 weeks ago haven't heard anything I rang the secretary she said consultant is off for a week she looked and said theres no red markers at it but would get another consultant to check it and ring me back still waiting sorry for the rant lol I dont think you have anything that cant be fixed goodluck 👍

[Ubwa]

GGT is hardly used now days, and not in isolation. As long as your other lft’s are ok try not to panic.

[geordie33 in reply to Ubwa]

My doctor seems to place a lot of emphasis on GGT perhaps because mine are particularly high

[Ubwa in reply to geordie33]

your GP does?

[geordie33 in reply to Ubwa]

Yes he was quite alarmed at my level and clearly thinks my situation is serious

[EnglishRoots]

Hi from Across the Pond”.

Please do not feel badly about yourself! I was practically drinking wine around the clock when I was diagnosed with decompensated alcohol cirrhosis. That was 6/13/2019 I haven’t touched a drop since. I’m doing really well . And am compensated (my liver is healing)!

We all drink for different reasons, and it is a disease, the disease takes over and the drink became my medicine I could not stop drinking and I was too sick physically to be without it. It wasn’t a choice when I became so sick.

When I was admitted by ambulance to ER my alcohol level was off the charts!!!!

Please, Please don’t let anyone….try and make you feel shame…shame on them if they do. No one chooses to be an alcoholic. I drank to help with anxiety and depression too. I also had a stalker, and my life was threatened.

I condensed my story ….. years of trying to cut back, cut down AA etc through the years I drank heavily for 30 + plus years. We all have a story, stay around folks who love and support you.

You should be proud of yourself, and you were /are brave enough to have been honest with your Dr.! 👏 Well done!

Sending healing hugs and prayers 🙏

Susan

Boston Ma. 🇺🇸

[Chick_atee]

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a judge, factory worker, cleaner, dentist, office worker, GP or any type of job. Alcoholism is there, you name it, so what ever you do, don’t judge yourself. It is an awful addiction and once you free yourself of it your life will change including your health. As you will know there are plenty of supports out there. Trust me 1 bottle will creep to 2 and so on!

You can do it 💪

I have decompensated cirrhosis from it and sometimes I hear the poor me, pour me a drink calling in my head but I fight it with a meeting or thinking about how free and well I feel without it!

Best of luck and health to you.

[Jsd2312]

My GGT is 356?? Seeing a doctor. I’m anemic as well. And was drinking a lot everyday after my bf died. Drinking to the point of such heart break I feel now I hurt myself physically because of the emotional pain. My ast 40 alt 36. Anemic. Nervous for what I’ll find out but I need to learn to forgive myself. I’m scared and hurt and ran away from that. Hopefully the doctor won’t judge me when I ask for help.