LFT showing inflammation

[Rachie34]

Hi all,

I had my annual appointment with my consultant today and was surprised to find my latest LFT showed liver inflammation. I was diagnosed with PBC 4 years ago and since starting urso, my LFT results eventually went back into normal range.

I was referred for an urgent fibroscan and luckily, was able to have it there and then. My fibroscan result was actually better today (6.6 compared to 13.8 when I was diagnosed, and 8.8 2 years ago), so I’m not too worried. I’ve got to have a repeat LFT in 4-6 weeks to see if it’s still showing inflammation. If it is, further tests, etc, etc will be required.

I’ve not been on any new medication recently, not had antibiotics or any infections so nothing obvious to cause the raised LFT (according to consultant). The only different thing for me lately is gradual weight gain and finding it impossible to lose weight despite eating less calories and snacking less.

I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience to this?

Thanks!

[Junolee]

Hi Rachie34. Firstly, let me tell you I do have AIH overlap and had successful ovarian cancer treatment last year which involved chemo so slightly different from you. Urso works well for me and I had been on an immune suppressant to suppress AIH for the past 10 years until the cancer, so my bloods had been pretty stable. When I came off the immune suppressant they increased again so put on steroid which brought them back down but not completely, still slightly raised. The liver biopsy I had 10 years ago was inconclusive and the fibro scan I had 4 years ago showed no damage. I had a number of MRIs over the years and 4 CT scans in the past 12 months and nothing showed up. To decide if I needed to go back on immune suppressant or stick with steroid etc I had another biopsy in May this year which showed no inflammation. Go figure! They are not sure why my bloods are still raised but think it might just be normal for me. Had been monitored after 2 months but pushed to 4 now which is fine as I have Oncologist in between who will spot in any major increase. I feel great btw, so am not too stressed about this.

I have gained weight too since the hysterectomy last year and find it very hard to lose but exercise and eat well and no one seems concerned about that. It’s interesting though that it is what we have in common.

[Texasliz]

A Fibroscan shows the stiffness of the liver, therefore cirrhosis. Not really a diagnostic tool, per my hepatologist.