Blood test results.... can anyone advise please...

[Donmk]

Dear ladies / fountain of knowledge, my last scan was May where I was told I was still NED. She did go and seek a second opinion at the time of the scan, after she also scanned my liver and kidneys. Initially this worried me but she came back and said all good so I let go of thst worry.

I have just had a set of blood tests done for unrelated reasons. (NHS health check at 40). Anyway, I have yet to see the doctor for the follow up, but I do have a copy of the results.

Some things are worrying me and I wondered if you ladies have had similar, which was a sign of the disease spreading....?

My kidney function is mildly reduced. Stage 2CKD.

My liver function test shows rising gamma GT. (This was the case also in a previous test).

There are a few other things too but I am mostly concerned that the rising GT levels could me a sign of metastasis?

Is this something I need to call my CNS about? I am due to have my next scan and bloods with my oncologist on the 26th.

I would appreciate your honest thoughts...should I take action or wait until my appointment?

Don x

[Neona57]

My kidney's are also showing some damage after the chemo but ate still in the normal range. I don't know about the gamma GT.

[Donmk in reply to Neona57]

Thank you for your reply. I haven't seen my doctor yet, both my liver and kidney are showing signs of damage. I feel a bit overwhelmed with medical issues 😐

[Irisisme]

Hi Don,

My last GGT reading was 609 but I Googled and found that there are a lot of things that make it rise, such as alcohol and some meds. It's not alcohol but, for me, it might've been paracetamol- what are your ALT & ALP readings? If the ALP is over 200 but ALT under 100 I read it could be a bile duct problem (I'm in this position and getting abdo pain so having a CT scan next week).

Don't get too hung up on liver function tests though as they are very sensitive and rise for all sorts of reasons, alcohol is the most common but also pain meds and some foods can make them rise based on what I've Googled.

The professionals hate us Googling for answers but I find I have to know everything and don't always get told. My Onc and CNS have a good joke with me now as they know I look everything up! It's ok as long as you don't scare yourself silly!

Hope you get an answer,

Iris x

[Donmk in reply to Irisisme]

Hi, I am exactly the same as you. I have learnt the hard way that I absolutely have to stay informed. I won't apologise for that. I am dealing with the serious consequences of not being investigated sooner, so I will research and research until I feel no stone is unturned.

I rarely drink alcohol so it's definitely nothing to do with that. I eat a well balanced diet on the whole too. It could be due to medication, as I believe this may be the cause of my kidney damage.

However, I am acutely aware that it also may be caused by tumor.

I have have asked Mr Google and alcohol and poor diet just do not fit.

Raised GT gamma levels are linked to cancer too.

I just wondered if other ladies had experienced similar results. I am going to call my CNS tomorrow and book the follow up GP appointment too. Luckily I am due for a scan soon anyway so hopefully I'll get some peace of mind.

Thank you for your reply....take care x

[Barlow1951]

Hi Donmk,

I had abnormal results on my last liver function test with 3 readings being abnormally high. My onc sent me for a scan which came back clear and concluded that my level is just naturally higher than the usual norm. She told me that there was certainly no spread to my liver and no need for me to be concerned.

Hope you can speak to your CNS tomorrow and get some reassurance.

Best wishes,

Barbara

[Donmk in reply to Barlow1951]

Thank you... that has made me feel better. I am doing my best to not jump to the worst case scenario... it's tough though 😣

They tell us to be vigilant...fine line between that and paranoia unfortunately x