I have raised ggt levels brown pigmentation on my face and itchy feet and ideas doc is sending me to an endocrinologist thanks for any help

[rosyposy2013]

Im 42 have had 3 liver ggt test all back abnormal, I rarely drink, I have brown pigmentation doc thought it might beaddisons but not sure so sending me to and eendocrinologist can any one give me and info my appt inst for another month

[helvella Administrator]

I don't know anything about Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase but, following a quick search, it would be good if you could add some information:

What is your blood pressure like?

Are you taking any medicines or supplements (prescribed or otherwise)?

Do you have any other known diseases?

Do you smoke?

I don't know what you have already seen, but this is a very brief overview of the GGT test:

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

You might find this post on another HU community of interest - high ggt and lower-limb itchiness:

healthunlocked.com/britishl...

It is good that your doctor is not making assumptions about Addison's (either that it is, or that it is not). Quite right you should be investigated.

Have you had any thyroid tests or issues?

Rod

[rosyposy2013 in reply to helvella]

Hi I dont smoke, my blood pressure is fine im not on any meds, my doc did some blood tests one came back with raised alt so they did a ggt test came aback abnormal, they repeated it 2 weeks later came back abnormal, I cant get in to see my doc till 23 this month my endocrinologist app isnt til 30 this month I do get pain in my abdomen and cant eat much apart from crackers,

Thanks for your info

[rosyposy2013 in reply to helvella]

Hi had a look at the link it helped a bit thanks, my thyroid is fine had tests for that its my raised ggt and the itchy skin and brown pigmentation thats the worst, its a shame I have to wait till the end of sep for my appts, I dont sleep and walking is very tiring, I get tired all the time, I have a bit of a cough not much I only went t docs as I was tired all the time

Thanks

[Jackie]

Hi GGT can be due to Diabetes, have you had that ruled out? Itchy feet also may be. I have severe liver disease etc etc, but told my itchiness, which is horrible is NOT my liver and I see the top hepatologist in the country. Normally the pigmentation is a separate autoimmune disease, but one of the few which does not matter and is not treated. I would say an Endo a good choice and not to worry.If your other LFT`s (liver function) including the ALT are good, that is fine. You do get other symptoms of liver disease before the bloods go bad,ie yellow ( possible), pain. protrusion and full feeling, liver presses on stomach when enlarged. it does not have to have anything to do with drink. Also liver disease, if bad, throws all your bloods out, especially glucose, potassium, anti coagulation.For my diabetes, the ALT and GGT are very important but not so much for my rotten liver.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[rosyposy2013 in reply to Jackie]

Hi jackie, I had a diabetes test a while back normal, my doc did routine bloods alt came back abnormal, they did a ggt test came back abnormal then repeated it came back abnormal, I cant eat anything but crackers as I feel full all the time, my stomach someti es looks like im 9 months pregnant, I did get alot of heartburn but thats sort of gone, I did have a yellow ting in eyes but that has gone, I have scratched my feet to bits there so sore, and the brown patches on my face are still there im very tired all the time and walking up the stairs is a nighmare my body aches all the time and I dont sleep at night

Thanks for your info

[Jackie in reply to rosyposy2013]

If Diabetes test more than 6 months ago, then I would ask for another test. Are you sure your Gall bladder and pancreas are OK? Sounds to me it could be either from what you now say. Both are autoimmune normally.grit from the Gall bladder can cause jaundice temporary , so can Hepatitis, I am thinking of autoimmune, it makes you sick too. Can you feel a hard lump,protruding ( if thinnish) where your liver is?These things are best seen by a Hepatologist, not gastro, as more specialised and actually so few ( large hospital) all brilliant.An Endo covers a broad spectrum , s a good starting point for now, however, make sure they are good, your choice after careful research not GP`s ( unless wonderful!) Pancreatitisand gall bladder often cause referred pain, right shoulder, side and back etc.

Hope that helps and you find the cause.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[rosyposy2013 in reply to Jackie]

Was tested a while back, doc didnt mention anything about gall bkadder etc, I cant feel any lumps my stomach just looks pregnant from high up which is where I was getting the heartburn but thats gone, I guess ill just have to wait and see what the docs say, they have reffered me to an endocrinologist fingers crossed

Thanks again

[Jackie in reply to rosyposy2013]

Hi I hope the Endo is good, I know mine is wonderful with anything complicated. Unlike most specialisations , theirs do cover a wild are of expertise

Best wishes,

Jackie

[rosyposy2013 in reply to Jackie]

Thank you, I will update once I have been and thanks for your help

[Jackie in reply to rosyposy2013]

Yes, Please do. You can always send me a PM any time, easiest way is to click on my name.

Al the best,

Jackie

[ravenhex]

I have quite considerable brwon pigmentation on my face. Mine look like this and cover the lower half of my face and jawline. agelessremediesalpharetta.c...

Brown pigmentation on face and can appear anywhere including skin folds can be an idicator of Addisons Disease or Adrenal Function problems. An ACTH stimulation test is needed to test for signs of Addisions and is also a good marker if the Adrenal glands are working ok or not.

Also, Hypopigmentation and Hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation (decrease in skin pigmentation) is a condition in which patches of skin become lighter or whiter in colour than the normal surrounding skin.

Hyperpigmentation is a common and usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin.

Pigmentation can be caused due to genetics, sun exposure, stress, fluctuating hormones caused by thyroid imblances and function loss, pregnancy and or by birth control pills, menopause, insulin resistance, damage to the skin due to injury or overly aggressive skin care treatment or frequent use of hair dyes.

Melasma also known as Chloasma facie/pregnancy mask commonly seen as a darkening line up your abdomen but also can appear as a mask on the face. This conditioni is characterized by tan or brown patches that may involve the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, nose, and chin. Men can also develop it. It may also occur in women on birth control pills or postmenopausal estrogen. Melasma may go away after pregnancy or a return to normal hormones function, but persistent pigmentation can be treated with certain prescription creams and some over-the-counter skin care products. Additionally, certain lasers that target pigment can be helpful. Remember to consult your dermatologist for a proper diagnosis of this condition before you choose to treat it yourself. If you have melasma, use a sunscreen at all times because sunlight will worsen your condition. HRT and progesterone can be the trigger or aggrivator in this condition as can thyroid and adrenal problems.Three types of common facial patterns have been identified in melasma, including centrofacial (center of the face), malar (cheekbones), and mandibular (jawbone).

The centrofacial pattern is the most prevalent form of melasma and includes the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, nose, and chin. The malar pattern includes the upper cheeks. The mandibular pattern is specific to the jaw. The upper sides of the neck may less commonly be involved in melasma. Rarely, melasma may occur on other body parts like the forearms. One study confirmed the occurrence of melasma on the forearms of people being given progesterone.

Four types of pigmentation patterns are diagnosed in melasma: epidermal, dermal, mixed, and an unnamed type found in dark-complexioned individuals. The epidermal type is identified by the presence of excess melanin in the superficial layers of skin. Dermal melasma is distinguished by the presence of melanophages (cells that ingest melanin) through out the dermis. The mixed type includes both the epidermal and dermal type. In the fourth type, excess melanocytes are present in the skin of dark-skinned individuals.

Brown age spots (also called liver spots or solar lentigines) are pigment accumulations in the upper layer of the skin due to sun exposure. They all occur on the face, neck, chest and back as well as fore arms and hands.

Vitiligo is pigment loss due to the body’s immune system attacking pigment cells (melanocytes). Other associated immune system diseases include diabetes, Polycystic ovarian disease, pernicious anemia, thyroid disease, and Addison’s disease. Vitiligo causes smooth, white skin patches, usually around the mouth and eyes, or on the back of the hands. In some people, these patches can appear all over the body. There is no cure for vitiligo, but there are several treatments, including topical steroid preparations, topical immunomodulators, topical vitamin D analogs, dyes or psoralens (light-sensitive drugs) used in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA) light treatment, and more recently the excimer laser, which delivers UVB light. All treatments may take 6 or more months to be effective. Rarer are the brown patches forming ofn those with pale skinned. Patches can be isolated or cover large areas.

Café-au-lait spots are light brown in colour and can be small or large and appear on any part of the body.