Im new here. I’m a female, 32 years. I am an alcoholic and have been drinking pretty much everyday for the past 6 years. 8-12 units for the past couple of years. I was at the doctor a couple of days ago to get some bloodwork done. And I’m really freaking out!
My leukocytes are 9,6
neutrophilocytes are 6,31
ggt are 52u/l
B12 vitamin 158
D vitamin 39
Everything else was normal.. also the other liver enzymes.
I know I just have to wait and hear what my doctor thinks. (He dosen’t even know I have a drinking problem…yet)
Im so scared of liver disease and it might can’t be fixed… 🥺 anyone with similar problem? And what was the outcome? I have decided to completely stop drinking! I see this as a serious wake up Call…
Thank you for Reading 🤗
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Luuloh
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At the moment you don’t look like your bloods are massively out of range. GGT is slightly raised, which is a sign your liver is inflamed and your B12 levels are low. These are both markers of alcohol misuse. You can easily reverse these by stopping drinking. Also take a vitamin B supplement for a while just to help. I suspect they’ll just repeat the bloods in a few weeks and if you stop drinking during that time then chances are everything will return to normal. You know you are drinking too much though and continuing to consume that level everyday will eventually cause you a problem. Speak to your GP about your drinking…it won’t be the first time he’s heard it and ask him to refer you for some support. Give your liver a chance to recover and cut out the booze for a few months and I suspect you’ll be fine.
Not sure. Men also have slightly higher range than women. Either way…the GGT is not hugely raised, doctors only get worried when it’s massively over - in the hundreds.
It makes perfect sense for different labs to use different reference ranges because each one has different equipment and methods of assessment. The variables and are often small and there are broadly excepted ranges for many diagnostics - but it's not wise to compare your results too closely to others (unless you were tested at the same lab) On top that what is normal will change depending on age, gender, and other health conditions.
my partner was diagnosed with ARLD end of 2021 with a raft of symptoms and was very very poorly. He stopped drinking then and there and has not had a drop since. What I am trying to say is that the liver is the most forgiving of organs and even for my partner who has cirrhosis now, his liver has regained almost normal function. Your bloods don’t sound terribly out of range but whatever is going on, as long as you can stop drinking I would expect you to be fine. Do reach out for some support if you think it will help, it doesn’t have to be AA , there are other organisations out there
They will more than likely give you a b12 supplement and tell you to stop drinking and then retest, if your drinking everyday your ggt is going to be raised that's just standard. It's unlikely you would have liver disease.
Hi - I would leave interpretation of your results to the experts. I’m sure that responders here are very well meaning. I seldom reply to messages but am a little concerned that you might run into difficulties if you do drink heavily and don’t follow a controlled reduction regime. Secondly I am concerned that, from some of the posts, you might get the impression that it’s ok to carry on as you are. My sincerest support goes out to you. C
Please get help with your drinking I’m 42 and was an alcoholic for about 5 years, I got told I had a fatty liver but I continued to drink, I couldn’t give up. It came to the point my liver was failing, after many bouts of going into hospital they finally said I had 2 weeks to live if I was lucky, my bloods were shocking, I was getting fluid in my belly having to have it drained and a tube down my nose to give my liver all the vitamins and minerals it needed, then I got told I might survive 1-2 years and needed a transplant but I was too ill to get on the list I’m now seeing a Transplant Team who told me I just simply won’t survive 5 years unless I get a transplant, now I’m always feeling ill it’s such a battle. Please don’t do what I did alcohol takes everything from you eventually your job your family your money then it will take your life. Please talk to your Dr to get help with a alcohol team it’s so great that you have opened up on here as that’s a good step, I was scared of peolke judging me, but there is loads of support on here but please get some physical support from your GP. Good luck, w really wish you all the best x
Cut the alcohol I have cirrhosis and you dont want that. I know its hard but it is a matter of life and death. The treatment of Cirrhosis is brutal and it doesn't go away. We are all here for you please try it's not worth it
You should be okay if you stay away from alcohol. There’s lots of different supports out there if you’re struggling to stay off it. Good nutritional diet.
Hello. When I was sick in the hospital, I had two physicians tell me that if I drank 1 more beer it could be detrimental to my liver. Got out and fully recovered and drank agin for about a month before realizing they were right. Regret it now, multiple signs of severe liver damage. It’s been a tough road lots of hurt and heart ache. Drinking alcohol is not worth it. Quitting for me was easy, due to alcohol was my way of self medicating. Never really enjoyed it. As far as your blood work, there is nothing wrong with you researching cause and effect of what makes tests go out of range. Get your information from dietitians and well written articles by professionals. The majority of physicians in the states are so specialized. Many do not see the whole picture. I had to educate myself to some degree about my illness. It’s my life not theirs. The majority of physicians are knowledgeable and excellent at their job. However I have seen many clients blindly follow some to an unnecessary death. Never be afraid to get a second opinion. Enough scary stuff. I am doing much better. Haven’t drink in 8 months. Following a diet I created from research. Have moved most of my blood work within limits. Most of which a doctor had not suggested If you have to, go to a diatician to get started I have more control over my life than I thought That being said, I see and do what my Gastroenterologist says. Just not blindly I found out he doesn’t know much about diet and the different effects of nutrients on the body as a whole Hoped this helped I praying be praying for you and god bless this site
That answer is simple and no one should argue with it.
The hard part is how and doing it. Giving advice is always a lot easier than following it.
Drink harms the body - you and I know that. That is a great starting point - now to do something about it. Speak openly to your GP about your drink problem (not the test results), see what he can do to help you stop drinking - ask for help! Seeing what harm has been done will already be taking place as you have started that process by having blood tests.
The start of the solution is admitting you have a drink addiction - it's hard solving that addiction alone.
Good luck with the tests and very good luck on your way to a drink free life 👍👍
I am 77 years old and I have been sober longer than you have been alive. If you are truly an alcoholic try these things:
First be sure to be honest with your GP and get whatever help he offers you.
Second go to AA meetings and share, listen and learn. It isn't easy but it works if you work it.
I have PBC and though they didn't say why, I believe it was caused by all the alcohol I drank and other things I put in my body like food, and meds, that I shouldn't have.
The only reason you might listen to an old lady is because: I am not always right but I have a lot of experience of being wrong.
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