Elevated liver enzymes
I've had a problem with my AST and alkaline phosphatase levels fluctuating for about 6 years now, starting about the time that I was having gallbladder problems. I was told that my liver enzymes would be monitored regularly, and they weren't. I did have my gallbladder removed, not because of gallstones, but because i had a polyp growing on the lymph node in my gallbladder. The polyp was found to be benign. That was in April 2004. The next time these 2 enzymes were found to be elevated was in 2008 during a routine checkup that included blood tests. Nothing was done to find out why. In March, i had a routine doctor appt and blood tests were again drawn and the same 2 enzymes were elevated. A couple weeks ago they redid my liver enzyme blood tests and found that not only were they still elevated, but my AP was higher (from 162 to 199 -- normal is 38-126), my AST was about the same 49 (normal is 8-39) and to add to that...my ALT was high this time. It was 64 (normal is 9-52) and I have never been told that my ALT was high. I know that elevated ALT indicates liver damage or inflammation. AST can be either from the liver or skeletal muscle, and that while AP is considered a liver enzyme, it mostly comes from bone. I had an ultrasound done this past Tuesday (I haven't gotten the results back yet on it) where they looked at my liver, stomach, spleen and i do believe they also looked at my kidneys. I have been extremely tired for the past month or so, and have almost no energy whatsoever. I do have pain around my liver area off and on that comes as a sudden, stabbing pain. I'm also having a problem just lately with gas and constipation, and my stools have become a very light color (which is just not normal for me). They also ran a hepatitis screen on me on the 23rd to check for Hep B and C, and it came back negative for hepatitis. I've also been slowly losing weight, but this last trip to the doctor on the 23rd...i lost 5 1/2 pounds in just ONE WEEK!!!! Has anyone had symptoms like these? The way I've been feeling for the past month or 2 has been bad enough on me (anxiety issues) and now with the elevated liver enzymes, it has really sent me into a tailspin. I need help, encouragement, prayers, answers, and the truth right now. Hopefully, I hear something from the doctor on Monday about the results of my ultrasound.
Replies