liver function tests

[orac]

Just a third one, and for a fourth in for weeks time. I have a doctors appointment on Friday.

Each of the three tests have under back as abnormal, don't know how abnormal at this point. Do I start panicking that I have liver failure or cancer of some description. The tests not coming back normal car be a good thing
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[CaNsA]

[The Wobbly Orange]

Chances are if you are not turning a funny colour or are being rushed anywhere it's not critical. Just avoid alcohol and try and live healthy til you know better one way or another.
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People tell me I am lovely. How wrong they are!

[LustyLew]

Are you drinking heavily, or regularly?
Do you take a regular medication?
Do you take loads of protein shakes?
Do you take a lot of pain killers?

The liver can take quite a battering before serious damage occurs, but you do need to take care of it. I have to have 3 monthly tests due to meds that can do some serious damage if left unmonitored.

If you're genuinely worried, speak to your doctor about it at your next appointment.
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[orac]

No
Just been put on thyroxin
No
Only when I get migraine, won't exceed max dose though. But can go on for a week or more a few time a year.

Doctors is bikes for Friday morning
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[stinkwheel]

Another one in the back of the net for informed consent and physician/patient communication in the NHS.




Ask what (exactly) they were testing for and what the results you have mean. They should have explained the former when they took the test and thew latter when you got the result.

Incidentally, if you didn't starve yourself overnight and take a second test after eating, you haven't had a liver function test.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[.Chris.]

Which result (or results) are coming back as abnormal? How abnormal are they?
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[orac]

[Ribenapigeon]

People do this all the time, go to the doc and forget to ask for specifics until after the consultation. What you need to do is write down your questions and concerns and take them to the appointment.

[GhostRider]

Well, the meaning behind the abnormal results will depend on what other symptoms you present with and what other tests are run alongside them.

Abnormal liver enzymes aren't necessarily an indication that there is a problem with the liver itself, but rather the livers reaction to other shit going on.

The fact that you say you have just been put on thyroxine suggests a suspicion of hypothyroidism. They haven't mentioned this at all at any stage?

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Vincent]

OP...have you ever been tested for Hep C?
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Space Is Deep

[orac]

Enzymes are off by a small amount, should be max of 46 and mind is 51.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism before Xmas. Thyroid levels now look fine so things should start setting I hope. Currently taking 100micrograms of thyroxin a day

Never been tested for hep c as far as I know. Although the first blood test was a do set.

Just hate being stabbed with a needle in a monthly basis

I did learn rush that thyroxin is made from iodine, I am allergic to iodine bandages and fact but wonder if this needs to be taken into account. Time with tel I suppose
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[CaNsA]

[orac]

It's in my notes, and I put it in my doctors registration form
____________________
Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[scorps]

dont worry too much, until they tell you they need to do a liver biopsy that is. Apparently 1 in a 1000 die from bleeding. I bled badly after my first one and who knew that the liver has a capsule full of nerve endings that stretch when its filling with blood and the pain makes you literally want to die to end it. but on a positive note, i was so anxious about getting another one, they sedated me so couldnt give a shit about a large needle being inserted between my ribs with a cutty thing while i was awake. Hope that makes you feel better


PS hope its nowt serious.
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Do not presume that I am male.

[Vincent]

[stinkwheel]

Elevated liver enzymes are not necessarily an indicator of liver damage. They can be but they aren't all specific. It's all in the interpretation.

So, In finding out what (exactly) they tested for and what the results you have mean. You've achieved neither.

You now know they tested at least one of the many biochemical indicators grouped as liver enzymes. You know one of them was slightly raised but not which one (some are more significant than others and which can indicate anything from damage to certain specific parts of the liver or just a general indication of cellular damage) and apparently STILL have no idea what this means.

This level of communication astounds me. You would get quicker service and a more thorough explanation if it was your cat that was ill. The only time I would report such a general result in liver enzymes to an owner is if they were all normal. Then I might say "There were no indications of ongoing liver damage.".

I'll take a wild guess that you have mildly elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This is released when you damage hepatocytes (the main liver cells responsible for food processing). It is fairly non-specific. Large increases indicate liver damage. A small increase in ALT can also be caused by muscle damage by bruising or heavy exercise. Several drugs can also cause it to be elevated.

An over high thyroid level can also cause elevations in ALT. I expect to see mildly elevated ALT in my animal patients with an overactive thyroid.

You can't be allergic to iodine. It isn't a large enough molecule to stimulate an antigenic response. You may be sensitive to something else within the iodine dressing you had. Most likely lanolin.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[orac]

I am fine with other lanolin products such as baby wipes

My thyroid is under active not over active
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[stinkwheel]

[orac]

They were high when I had the first test 3 months ago, which also the same test that showed the thyroid issue to start with.

Just had a 3 month test and thyroxin levels seem to be about right although enzymes are still alittle on the high side.

I did also react with the iodine in science when I was at school. That pretty much pure. It is very rare, I am also allergic to latex ad bananas. But not nuts which is also odd for someone with that allergy combination. There is evidenced that what you say could be taken as fact but also plenty to at that it's rare. I am nu going to do reading the medication if that's what you panicking about
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[stinkwheel]

I'm not panicing at all. You asked about what your results mean, I'm just suggesting some things that might be responsible for your ill defined elevation in a liver enzymes since you clearly don't understand what you've been tested for and what the results mean. I'll stop now because it's a bit pointless.

Ask you doctor what (exactly) you have been tested for and what this result means. Keep asking until you get an answer you understand. Write your questions down before you go in next time.

I still don't believe there is such a thing as an allergy to iodine and scientifically am not aware of any mechanism in the body by which one could occurr. I've had a brief search of journals which corroborate what I stated earlier, your "iodine allergy" is almost certainly an allergy to some other componant of the dressings that were used.

There are a few unreferenced mentions of iodine allergy on some of the more hysterical allergy websites but nothing trustworthy.

Iodine itself is an irritant at higher concentrations. It is a caustic chemical that can cause burns and direct cellular damage in higher concentrations. That's why it's used as an antiseptic.

It's normally used medically (in dressings and as an antiseptic) at a level that kills bacterial cells but doesn't damage mammalian cells. It may be this happens to your cells at a lower concentration but the iodine content of thyroxine is several orders of magnitude smaller than you'd find in an iodine dressing.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[orac]

[scorps]

only issues I have is one form of antibiotic which makes me blister all over, adrenalin in local anesthetic has me spazzing like im having a fit and the common reaction to anything with nickel in it.
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Do not presume that I am male.