Bloods

[Ginnymax]

Hi . Was diagnosed with pbc 3 years ago, bloods at the time were very high but after taking urso they have got better over the past couple years, but when I have my lfts done they often fluctuate and it worries me , is it diet I hardly ever drink alcohol, does this happen to anyone else ? Many thanks

[Hidden]

Alcohol can raise the enzymes. If you can avoid alcohol all together would be beneficial but if you like to drink at times maybe if you can wait till your enzymes are more stable. I believe that the enzymes fluctuate for most of us.

[teddybear7]

Mine fluctuate all the time I've looked in the past it seems to be quite normal. I have no idea what causes it i don't drink alcohol so it can't be that. Dr normally checks them again about a week later & they're normally ok again. He did say if they stay up then they might have to look a bit deeper but i just keep yoyoing. He did say that if my bilubrin went up, that would be the time to worry. X

[Hidden]

If you looked at my results on a graph over a few years you would see a wavy line. ( I see this on the PC screen every time I go to hospital appointment and we discuss it)

There are are loads of things that can cause fluctuations in results , it's not what one individual test reads that determines how well or badly your doing, but the tests over time remaining within a fairly stable range. Your doctors will be monitoring this.

I always make sure Iam well hydrated when I have mine done and have them done at about the same time in the morning just so it's consistent, not sure it helps but I stay in a range the doctors are happy with.

If your really worried ask your doctors to explain the results, and what if anything you can do.

[iagra]

My gastroenterology doctor said that it is completely normal for LFTs, specifically Alkaline Phos, to fluctuate. It can fluctuate in the normal range (no PBC), it can also fluctuate in PBC patients, in the elevated range. LFTs go up and down, it is normal. Your doctor is monitoring your blood work. If there is a concern, he/she will tell you. Otherwise, don't think about it. Stay with the healthy diet, be active, and focus on positive things in life.

[Ginnymax]

Thank you all for your reassuring words

[Hidden]

Hello Ginnymax.

My bloods started off dropping dramatically in the early days (diagnosed December 2010 and started urso then) but then after a couple years on urso they sort of stopped and have since gone up a bit and then down a bit and would make a wavy line on a graph as I say. My ALP and ALT both see-saw each time with one going down, the other up and vice-versa. As long as the bloods are said to 'be OK for PBC' then I'd not worry.

I can't really say it is diet but it has to be remembered that certain medications prescribed or over-the-counter can cause fluctuations in our LFTs and this could be the case. In mine I've not had any medications either 'way' prior to diagnosis and since diagnosis just the urso.

[Hidden]

Drinking any alcohol can cause our enzymes to fluctuate but yes they fluctuate anyway. Someone that is healthy will get fluctuation in bormal range.