Hi need info on elevated liver function, was elevated in dec12, only slightly test done again in feb13 came back some improvement,

[lily2]

test to be done again in 8wks ,been under a lot of stress over last year and over safety limit most weeks with my alcohol intake should I stop drinking or cut down many thanks lily

[Hidden]

Hi Lily

Would you be surprised if most people on this site suggest that you quit? I regularly drank over the limit and an episodic period of abstinence coincided with a diagnosis of liver cancer and a subsequent liver transplant. Stopping drinking for me was the best thing I have done in health terms because it led to so many other improvements in life: fitter, stronger, generally better health and a realisation that being alive was better than being sociable and de-stressed. I am not pretending that I did not enjoy alcohol and I still miss the idea of it, from time to time, but not the reality.

So, stop if you can. Count the hours dry, then the days and it is amazing how quickly they mount up.

[lily2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi mike thanks for your reply, no I really wouldn't be surprised if most people advise me to quit , only confirming what I have known for a long time and have been avoiding and justifying to myself that there was always a reason why I needed drink, not had a drink now for a week ,and feel better already but I think that is in my head at the moment, you have came through a lot and are very positive that life is better without alcohol, I am counting the hours and thank you for your encouragement Lily

[Bolly]

Hi Lily.

Do you have the 2 sets of test results for Dec and Feb to hand? Can you post the figures. I'm assuming this was a liver function test (LFT). There should be separate figures for

Alanine transaminase (ALT)

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Albumin

Bilirubin

Bolly

[BillWeston in reply to Bolly]

Ain't no Bolly in my liver! 😀

[lily2]

Hi Bolly sorry don't have a break down of results, made a visit to GP after first results but only said LFT

[sunflower1]

Hi Lilly, do you have any health problems? How much do you drink? I can't advise you but everyone will say give up rather than cut down.

[lily2]

Hi sunflower don't really have any health problems, had my Gallbladder removed 4yrs ago due to stones , and have gained some weight since ,do feel bloated sometimes not sure if this is due to having no gallbladder, or problems with my liver or weight, elevated liver test was picked up by chance went to GP for bad heartburn, I do drink between 18 and 35 units most weeks ,have decided to stop and see if this makes a difference to next test and get a break down of the result , Bolly was asking about will let you know how I get on thanks Lily

[sunflower1]

Hi lily, have a read of my previous posts. How old are you if you don't mind me asking? I am still very unsure if I have liver disease although all my tests have come back OK. What symptoms did you have with gallstones?

[lily2]

Hi sunflower, did read some of your previous posts, must be confusion for you with all these test and getting no real answers. I can tell you when I had my gallbladder attacks due to stones , I suffered from terrible pain ,right side under rib cage going all the way around to my back, so bad had to go A and E , AT least 5 times also LFT was elevated also at this time . was very sick lots of bile ,was so glad to have it removed as badly infected and made me very ill.Hope you soon get some answers. I am in my mid forties, and having to start really looking after my health, I hope all goes well for you with your improved diet and cutting down on the wine, after reading most of the people on this site I am going to do my best to leave it alone lily

[sunflower1]

Yeah its really frustrating not knowing what the problem is it does all point to the liver I think. Thanks for the info on gallstones. My pain is very intermittent, I had wine last night and today, this afternoon about an hour after had eaten started to get sharp pains again but gone again now?! Good luck with cutting down lily, keep us up to date.

[Bolly]

Hi Lily

The reason I ask about which parts of the LFT were elevated is because if the ALT Alanine transaminase part is high that means liver inflammation/damage which in your case is probably caused by the alcohol (so cut out the alcohol and your ALT should go back to normal over time if there is no other underlying reason), but a high Bilirubin part means a blockage or other problem with the bile duct and can make people go yellow or 'jaundiced',. Problems with the function of the gallbladder, or your body compensating for the lack of it, can affect your LFT result, so for the GP to just say the liver function was 'elevated' isnt all that helpful for you!

Without a gallbladder it can help to be on a low fat diet and sometimes people find they cant tolerate things like red meat or tomatoes any more. Have you changed your diet at all since having the gallbladder removed? It will definitely be kinder on your body if you cut out the alcohol as well.

[lily2 in reply to Bolly]

Hi Bolly, going Back to GP soon will ask for a break down of result, this hopefully will help to narrow down the elevated test, will let you know when I find out, my diet was low fat all the time I had the gallbladder problem and for a long time after, slowly started eating more fat and drinking more alcohol, try not to eat much meat mainly fish and chicken, but do eat lots of cheese. Have gained some weight since OP mainly around tummy area ,and feel bloated and uncomfortable after main meal, going back to my gallbladder diet lost lots of weight on this low fat diet and trying to stay away from alcohol, had visitors around last night only one who never had I drink managed ok, funny this morning everyone got a sore head and looking for paracetmol , first time in ages I don't , thanks for info Lily.