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Abnormal liver function tests.

Posted , 4 users are following.

jillypops
jillypops

Hi there - i have had several blood tests which have shown my Gamma GT levels to be over 300. I have been called back by my GP for further investigations.

I told some of my family who all laughed as i drink less than anyone else in the family - or my friends for that matter. I have a couple of small glasses of wine with evening meals and don't binge at weekends or anything. I am often designated driver as am not bothered if don't have a drink when out.

Anyone any ideas as to what might be causing this and what tests i might expect or should request (i am in the UK)?

I would ve grateful for any advice.

Many thanks.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • gill70346
    gill70346 jillypops

    Posted

    A number of liver problems actually have nothing to do with how much you drink, despite what many people think.  I know because I am one of them, I drink very little alcohol but have just had to have part of my liver removed because of stones caused by a rare genetic defect. Another friend had to have a liver transplant because of an autoimmune disease, again nothing to do with how much alcohol she drank. I have no idea what could be causing your problems but you will definitely have to have a CT scan and MRI scan, and probably also a special kind of endoscopy. There is a very good charity called British Liver Trust you could get in touch with who helped me a lot.
    • jillypops
      jillypops gill70346

      Posted

      Thanks v much for info Gill. Bit scary but be good to get sorted.

      Have you heard of a fibroscan? A test for cirrhosis i believe? Not sure whether it is carried out in this country or not.

      Must admit am bit fed up as it has only been highlighted because i had a nosy at my medical notes when i was in hospital recently for surgery. I noted that the anaesthetist was contacted as a result of the blood tests to see if he was happy to proceed as GGT high. No-one mentioned it to me. It was only when i had recovered from my surgery that i remembered and went to my GP about it. Who knows what might have happened if i hadn't......

      Just shows, it pays to keep on top of our own health.

    • jillypops
      jillypops gill70346

      Posted

      Sorry Gill - i hope you are recovering well from your surgery. 😊😊

    • gill70346
      gill70346 jillypops

      Posted

      I agree about keeping on top of our own health. I have through my GP surgery got access to my NHS electronic patient record which means I can access all letters, test results eg scans, blood test results, etc. sent from any hospital to my GP, and vice versa and I check these records regularly. Because of my various health conditions I actually attend 2 hospitals - York and St. James, Leeds. It certainly makes me feel in better control of what is happening medically. The only time this has been a problem was earlier on this year when there was a letter from oncology (cancer) on my EPR but no doctor from either my GP surgery or the hospital had spoken to me about the possibility of cancer. I was very upset and angry to find find out in this way. In fact, I did not have cancer but instead a very rare liver disease. 
    • jillypops
      jillypops gill70346

      Posted

      Thanks Gill - think i'll investigate gaining access to my electronic records too.

      That's a shocker that you found out about oncology letter in that way. So glad all was well tho. Thanks for your info. 😊

    • gill70346
      gill70346 jillypops

      Posted

      Yes I have heard of a fibro scan.  It is available in this country in bigger hospitals. It is not only used to diagnose cirrhosis, but also non alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis b and c. 
  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo jillypops

    Posted

    Hi please try not to get too hung up on GGT readings, I have been having this happen for approximately 5/6 years and last September it was 700+ now down to 207 but even liver specialist couldn't come up with a definitive answer, said unless I had other ongoing symptoms its not a great test to do, you say you don't drink much but 2 glasses of wine a night would definitely increase it

    • jillypops
      jillypops AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Hi AlexandriaGizmo - thanks for your reply. Gosh! 700+! Did you have any other symptoms?

      I don't have any. The heavier drinkers in my family (gosh - sounds like we're all lushes!) Who have had blood tests say nothing has shown up on their results. I guess some are more sensitive than othere. I know if i have a little too much i really suffer next day whereas they don't. Anyway, it is a good reason to cut alcohol out. 😊

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