LFT Results - Help

[Trr1985]

I have had some tests done recently and I was expecting the liver would be an issue. I have been a heavy drinker for quite some time.

I had full bloods done which were all fine. Electrolytes were also fine.

The doctor said my LFTs were abnormal, I asked if it indicated Cirrhosis and he said he didn't think so. In fact I asked him several times and he said that it was unlikely as my liver is functioning as it should. He did however think I may have fatty liver and so has referred me for a scan.

I guess I should be grateful that the doctor doesn't think it's cirrhosis but I am still terrified as some of the results seem sky high and it's making me wonder if it could still be cirrhosis.

The doctor told me that the readings can be explained as someone who drinks excessive alcohol or obese (I'm both) . On the referral for the scan it simply says " isolated raised ALT ? Fatty liver".

Has anyone else had results like these?

update: my posted was edited, didn’t realise you couldn’t include actual results. Hope this is ok as it has no numbers.

ALT - above range

ALP, bilirubin, albumin, globulin - within range

total protein slightly out of range

GGT - way out of range

Ferritin - way out of range

Full bloods - ok

electrolytes - ok

[ARM8]

You ferritin in high. You need to be checked for hemochromatosis. It could be elevated during to alcohol but my partners was lifestyle and this underlying genetic disease. If you catch it early it should be okay but please get it checked if you can. It's more common than you'd think.

[BritishLiverTrust11 Moderator]

Hello

We have edited your post as it goes against our Community Guidelines.

Please read the pinned posts at the top right of the first page on the forum to see the rules and guidelines about making posts on this forum. This is about posting health information, more specifically:

“In this respect the British Liver Trust asks that users do NOT post any test results or ask for specific comment on such. Test results vary according to both the individual’s whole health and the laboratory analysing the results and should, therefore, always be interpreted by the user’s own doctors/health care professionals.”

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[RugbyMama]

High ferritin can be indicative of liver disease but as other poster has said can be marker for haemochromotosis which causes a myriad of symptoms including chronic fatigue, diabetes, joint pain, easy bruising (with unsual bruises that fade to a grey/black colour), brain fog, mood swings, sudden onset of depression or anxiety, sexual dysfunction. It's a blood disorder that means too much iron is stored by your body and then "dumped" into organs - liver, pancreas, kidneys, joints and later around the heart and into the skin. The iron is quite toxic to your organs and can cause irreversible damage, particularly when combined with obesity or alcohol. It reaches a critical point where symptoms are very noticeable around late thirties to early forties. It's fairly rare in England but far more common if you have Scottish or Irish heritage. Its relatively easy to treat with regular venesection (removal of blood). You need a genetic test to confirm. My husband was diagnosed in October, he has Scottish father and Irish mother. He starts treatment on Friday and is expected to need weekly removal of blood for a year.

[Trr1985 in reply to RugbyMama]

I am originally from Ireland so maybe that explains a little…. My parents are also from Ireland

[MarkC66]

Hi Trr1985

As the previous responders suggest please get tested for Hemochromatosis..

My Ferritin was high at 723, with my transferrin saturation at 60%, so my liver specialist had me tested for HH and I have also done a lot of research personally..

I was negative for HH and have subsequently learned that my high ferritin and high saturation level were caused directly by my liver disease.. they have since both reduced to normal levels following 6 months of abstinence...

Ferritin is also a key inflammation marker and can indicate other conditions but my research suggests it's either HH or LD..

It's kind of counter intuitive really, as LD can cause high ferritin itself but iron overload (HH) can also cause high ferritin, which can ultimately damage your organs (liver in particular) if not treated..

If you haven't already, then you need to abstain - obviously if it is LD, but also if it's HH.. people with HH are not advised to drink..

Hope this helps.

Best regards

Mark