Worried - High GGT/Alp - Symptoms

[MDL73]

Hello. I'm very worried about my husband (64). He's been back and forth to the GP since January after experiencing quite severe fatigue/feeling wretched. His symptoms have increased and he now has quite severe right shoulder pain, right-sided flank pain (not daily, but very regular), bloating and gas. He continues to feel wiped out most days. Initial tests in January showed raised ALT, which has been quite usual for him for many many years, however the most recent tests show both ALT and AST are over 80, as well as ALP 299 and GGT 249. He's been referred for an ultrasound on his liver, but so many months have passed since his initial symptoms started and everything seems to be moving so slowly.

[MDL73]

I should have said, he's practically teetotal with normal BMI. From test results, it looks like Hepatitis and any autoimmune disease has been ruled out.

[AyrshireK]

Have they ruled out gall bladder problems?

Can't really rule out auto immune issues without a liver biopsy.

Katie

[MDL73 in reply to AyrshireK]

One of the blood tests revealed unlikely to be autoimmune but I appreciate you saying a biopsy would be required for that. They've not yet ruled out gallbladder but I suspect the scan will reveal something. Gallbladder/bileduct/NAFLD. It's just hard waiting...

[AyrshireK in reply to MDL73]

There are three main auto immune illnesses that affect the liver - auto immune hepatitis (AIH), Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). A high ALP usually accompanies something affecting the biliary system.

Absence of auto immune antibodies in a blood test doesn't 100% rule out an auto immune condition so obviously there is still some investigation that needs to be happening in your hubbies case - I would also want a referral to hepatology or gastroenterology to be done as waiting lists are so long.

What is his bilirubin level like?

Katie

[MDL73]

He has his scan this Monday coming, fortunately, so if the find anything untoward, hopefully there will be a quick referral. His bilirubin was in the normal range. Thank you.

[Readlots]

waiting for tests and then results is awful. You just want toast forward until it’s done but obviously you can’t. Hopefully the scan will give you some answers and lead to a treatment plan that isn’t too onerous. Distract yourselves with something nice if you can 😊

[MDL73]

Sounds like you speak from experience. Yes it's quite agonising. Thank you.

[Evie3]

Hi…I hope you dont mind me mentioning this and not to add to your husbands problems but I was diagnosed with Alpha 1 antitrypsen deficiency which is genetic. It affects liver/lungs. They do a specific blood test but few Drs know anything about it, even tho there r a lot of people diagnosed with it. I didnt start showing signs until Covid struck and I am early 70’s. It might b worth asking for a test as they r foxed.

Apologies if this isnt permitted

[MDL73]

The ultrasound revealed lesions consistent with secondary liver cancer.