Liver function blood test question

[mjf333]

I recently went and had a physical and blood work done. Everything came back very good except the liver function test. It looked like there was 4 catagories involved but not sure what they were. It looked like something looked lower than it should. All the hepatitis tests came back negative. The DR told me to come back in 3 months to have a re-test. No drugs, no smoking no needles and a social drinker and not overweight. I also Feel fine.

Quick background -
2001 - I took lamasil for 6 months but I had my liver tested before and after and everything was good.
2006 - Blood test everything was normal
2008 - I had a hernia operation in July. Blood work was taken, but I am not sure they check the liver pre-operation.

It's been on my mind and I have been to every site possible. Should I be worried or can the test be either not accurate or could it be something minor?

Thanks in advance -
Mike

[mamacita]

I'm not a doctor or anything, but I've become quite knowledgeable about liver function tests since contracting nonviral hepatitis from taking an antibotic in March. The problem is when the counts are high--the following should be included: AST, ALT, Bilirubin. Not sure what the fourth would be, but those are the biggies. Normal for AST is 8-20, and ALT normal is 10-32. Normal for Bilirubin is 0-1.3. If you need any more info, let me know.

[mjf333]

Thanks for the response. I called my dr today to try and get the test moved up and she said the 3 month test is fine and not to worry. My guess (and only a guesss and I at least hope) is if she thought it was more serious she would be doing something sooner. Maybe if it was more serious something else maybe off also on the test - Since all the hepatitis test were negative that might mean something also. (alot of guesses here) Do correct me if I am wrong -lol. All I can recall from test is the normal on one of the items was 6 -10 and i think I was 1-5. Just a vague memory.

So how are you and what steps did you have to take?

Thanks again for the response, I do appreciate it

Mike

[mamacita]

I can't imagine what those tests were for, so listen to your doc and don't worry about it. I told you what normal is for the liver function tests I've become so familiar with and you are nowhere near that.

Hepatitis can be viral and non-viral. Mine is non-viral and doesn't show up on a "hepatitis" test. They go by the AST, ALT and bilirubin counts. That can't be what you are talking about because the numbers for normal are different.

As for me, I still have hepatitis. My counts were coming down but in the past four weeks have started going back up again. I had a liver biopsy today and won't know the results until Monday. It was a scary procedure. I have a great doctor who says maybe it has become auto-immune hepatitis. If not, he is going to send me to Vanderbilt to a hepatologist (liver specialist). I'm a rare case, apparently. There is nothing you can do--no drugs for this--because it's your liver. You don't drink alcoholic beverages and you rest and try to eat healthy foods. If you are worried about your liver, just be sure you don't take Tylenol or any medicine whatsoever! And watch the "social" drinking. I no longer enjoy my glass of wine every evening with dinner, but it's a small price to pay. Thanks for asking.

[mjf333]

Thanks again for your response. Sorry I don't have the correct info on the results. I kind of feel stupid. I just remember the doctor had 4 things circled. Just a few more questions I would like you to try and answer then I will stop bothering you...

1) Since the blood test was not just for the liver but was a routine physical blood test that measued everything - white and red blood cells, chloresterol, thyroid, sugar, etc etc etc Do you think if it was more serious some other number would be off also. Everything else was very good.

2) I had hernia surgery 3 weeks before at a very sophisticated hospital in Greenwich,CT. They took blood pre-operation. Don't you think they must check the vital organs (liver included) in that test?

3) Did you have any symtoms of anything then? Or now?

4) I read how the liver can regenerate itself. Other than advanced liver disease needeing transplants, can in most cases the liver be brought back to it's normal state?

Thanks again, sorry to keep asking questions. I am going to take the DR. and your advice and just stop worrying.......

[mamacita]

To try to answer your questions: Although my ALT and AST (those are the two liver biggies) are extremely elevated, everything else on my cbc (complete blood count) is perfectly normal. So obviously, you can have elevated liver counts and everything else be fine.

Before you have surgery, I'm sure they do a complete blood check, and that would include your liver counts. If you had viral hepatitis or HIV or something, they would need to know that and it would show up on the blood labs. I had a liver biopsy yesterday and they did a complete blood count and liver function test on me first thing so they would have the results before the biopsy. So yes, I'm sure they looked at all that before your hernia surgery.

Symptoms? Heck yes. Orange urine, yellow eyes (jaundice, in other words), digestive problems, extreme fatigue, itching, flu-like symptoms-chills, fever. These are symptoms of non-viral hepatitis, which is what I have. I don't have them now, but I still have hep.

The liver can regenerate itself if you catch the problem in time. But some problems are beyond regeneration. There isn't any medicine or treatment for liver disease except, in some cases, you can take steroids for auto-immune hepatitis.

Trust me--if you had elevated liver counts, your doc would have had a talk with you. For example, Tylenol can destroy your liver. You doc would have asked if you have been taking tylenol or drinking alcoholic beverages or taking antibiotics or something You doc told you that you would be fine and to come back in 3 months. Count your lucky stars that you are healthy. BUT do me a favor--when you go back to the doc, pay attention to the blood test, ask for a copy or something. That way you will know what the heck you are talking about! You don't even know what you are worried about!! So stop worrying and live!

[mjf333]

lol, you made me laugh with your last paragraph. I will pay attention next time. She did ask me if I had any alcohol the night before. It was like 5 days before the test I had some. She also gave me the option to come back in a month or wait 3. At the time I said 3 is fine. Then when I got home my wimpy side took over. When I called back to change it to one, I guess it wasnt an option any more - lol

You have been great helping me with my worry. I do feel much better. I may have some more questions down the road. I hope you feel better and thanks again......

Mike

[mjf333]

lol, you made me laugh with your last paragraph. I will pay attention next time. She did ask me if I had any alcohol the night before. It was like 5 days before the test I had some. She also gave me the option to come back in a month or wait 3. At the time I said 3 is fine. Then when I got home my wimpy side took over. When I called back to change it to one, I guess it wasnt an option any more - lol

Ketorolac is the only med I was taking about 3 weeks before the test. Not sure if that could of caused any problems. Not sure if your familiar with that med.

You have been great helping me with my worry. I do feel much better. I may have some more questions at some point. I hope you feel better and thanks again......

Mike

[mamacita]

Ketorolac is an anti-inflammtory drug (I think), so if you took it and also took Aleve or Tylenol or something along with it, it could possibly have elevated your liver counts. Look up the side effects in Google and see. HOWEVER, don't get your panties all in a wad about it. You are fine or she wouldn't have told you to wait three months.

[mjf333]

Yeah I am better now. Talking about it helps. If I am being too nosey just say so:

How did you know you had non-viral? Did you have symptoms first? Were you taking the meds at the time. So eventually you can be hepatits free right? . I read the non-viral is usually from some medication someone is taking causing the issue like in your case.

I have been eating more organic food, carrots oranges etc..

Nice talking to ya - have a good one!

Mike