confused about blood results

[Sere51789]

Hello ,

I have a relative with a confusing array of blood results and I wonder if someone can shed some light.

The LFTS are: Albumin 29, GGT just over 280,bilirubin has been rising from 16 earlier this year to 28 in June,Alk phosp is 269, alanine aminotransferase 54. At the same time ESR is 40, platelets have progressively dropped from 180 over a year ago and now 77. Neutrophils 1.37, haemoglobin 136. Also with long term CKD and a eGFR 23/24. LFTs have been raised for years. Immunoglobulin markers IgA, IgG and IgM markers all raised.

Along with symptoms of debilitating tiredness, irritability,a darkening (not yellow ) complexion.

I'm not quite sure what to make of it...is there anyone medically specialised that can shed any light? She's been told it's liver related but no further details other than that.

Does anyone have anyone know what type of liver disease she may have and would it be worth starting ursodeoxycholic acid ?

Is this patient safe to travel? Can she take antimalarial medication?

Many many thanks

[AdeleMalcolm]

I'm surprised that your relative has been given no further information than 'it's liver related'! I'm not a medical specialist but I know some on this forum are pretty clued into what these tests might mean. I'm not sure where you're based but I'd suggest contacting the Liver Trust if you're in the UK and they might give some guidance. Your relative needs to speak to someone qualified before she embarks on any course of medication.

[Sere51789 in reply to AdeleMalcolm]

Many thanks for your reply. She has seen a hepatologist and is awaiting a liver biopsy...suspected cirrhosis. I was very surprised but the hepatologist took a verbal history but did no physical examination saying it wasn't necessary.Hopefully we'll get some answers.

[Ginger_11]

Hi. Physical exams really do nothing to diagnose liver problems. Biopsies only tell you what that part of the liver is like, not the whole organ. Its mainly blood tests that reveal any problems. When getting the blood tests done, ask the doctor for the standard measurement they measure each result against. I have these, so when the results of my latest blood tests comes through, I can look at the standard measurements and see where things are not within these parameters, then ask the doctor what the difference means. That way, you will always know what they are testing for and what is the consequence of any upper or lower results than the stated norm is.

I find that once you have discussed this with your doctor and know what the accepted results should be, discussion of the higher or lower resulting test results can be discussed with the doctor easily and be understood. We very often have a blood test then ask for results only to be told they are normal or slightly raised or dropped, without ever asking the above, which would give you the actual reasons and what this means to you personally.

Try it next, time you have a blood test to do.