My doctor said my liver enzymes slightly high. What exactly does that mean?

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Replies

  • PKM0515
    PKM0515 Posts: 3,089 Member
    @christophercoronado

    Any updates? :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I think further discussions with your Dr. and possibly a referral to a specialist is in order. I don't think the elevated liver enzymes would have anything to do with your hands, but it could be related to your fatigue.

    Elevated liver enzymes are usually an indication of some kind of damage being done. Nobody but you and your Dr. can really determine why...but generally, it's either non-alcohol fatty liver or alcohol induced. Do you drink? My liver enzymes were slightly elevated when I had my annual exam last year which was a result of my drinking that went kinda out of control in 2020 with stay at home pandemic orders. I quit full stop for 90 days and my liver enzymes returned to completely normal.

    I do drink on special occasions but that is rarely. I did drink alot threw out the years and don't know if that what caught up to me. I don't make time for myself and will admit I've avoided doctors for years.. honestly it could be two separate things going on me but both throwing me off balance. I should find out more as the week comes and definitely will share it with you all.

    If you only drink rarely, even if you drank more before, it's likely not alcohol related...not impossible, but not likely. The liver is amazing at healing itself.

    It also could very well be a one off...it's a very sensitive test. My Dr. wasn't initially very concerned, but had me tested another few times namely because he was wanting to put me on a medication that could mess with my liver. By my 3rd test (these were all 2-4 weeks apart) and my history with alcohol, he was pretty convinced that was it and when I stopped and everything returned to normal, that was pretty much the clincher.
  • mrykyldy2
    mrykyldy2 Posts: 96 Member
    tsazani wrote: »
    Most likely you have NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Anyone who is overweight to T2D has it to some degree or another.

    Your doc will recheck them soon. That's why he's not too excited sbout it.

    Just because he may or may not have a fatty liver has no bearing on his enzymes being abnormal. I have fatty liver disease and my liver enzymes are in normal ranges. Do NOT assume on such little info.
  • abarocio
    abarocio Posts: 7 Member
    From what I have read so far, I agree that an accurate diagnosis needs to be made so you need to follow up with your doctor. Make sure you are eating enough if you are trying to build muscle. I have read that for muscle building, you need to eat 15% more calories. Don't forget about hydration. Sometimes not drinking enough water can make you feel lousy.

    Good luck
  • nasr25
    nasr25 Posts: 214 Member
    Yeah I had raised liver enzymes as well. Exhausted no matter how much I slept or how much caffeine I drank. Turned out I had NAFLD but that doesn’t mean it’s the same for you. You need to ask your doctor for an explanation. It can be a number of things and you don’t want to ignore this.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Sorry for now just replying. I was told that I'm lacking on vitamin d2. I still have one last test which I need to make time for. Right now what I feel is weak, no energy at all and I've slept all day on the weekend . Drink alot of water but yet it feels like a struggle each moment for me. I don't really have an appetite. I literally have to force myself. I will keep you guys updated and thank you all.

    Your OP didn't sound like what I just went through but if you also have headaches, sweats and chills, that and the above are all what I had when I had Anaplasmosis. Are you in an area with ticks?

    In my uneducated opinion, it sounds like more than a D2 deficiency - do make time for the other tests.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    tsazani wrote: »
    "I'm blown away by the amount of assumptions you made from this limited amount of info:"

    That's because you don't practice medicine and I did. For 35 years.

    I said MOST LIKELY he has fatty liver disease. It's a 99% probability. So an EXCELLENT assumption. Far LESS LIKELY he could be dealing with Wilson's Disease (2000-3000 cases diagnosed in USA).

    Unless you live in Africa, or near a zoo, when you hear an animal trotting outside of your house your best guess is always horse not zebra.

    Primary care docs see elevated liver enzymes all the time. In fact I can't remember a day of work when I didn't see them. Or a day of zero high blood pressures.

    WE simply repeat the tests. If the enzymes are still elevated the patient gets a 3 step diagnostic workup.

    First an ultrasound. If bad then MRI. If MRI bad then referral to a gastro intestinal specialist to probably do a liver biopsy.
    Well I guess the 1% is the OP. Lol, good thing you aren't a doctor anymore.



    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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    And me. And AnnPT from a thread in Debate.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,994 Member
    Sorry for now just replying. I was told that I'm lacking on vitamin d2. I still have one last test which I need to make time for. Right now what I feel is weak, no energy at all and I've slept all day on the weekend . Drink alot of water but yet it feels like a struggle each moment for me. I don't really have an appetite. I literally have to force myself. I will keep you guys updated and thank you all.

    Toss a blood test for your A1C into the recommendations. Being very tired and excessive thirst are classic signs of diabetes.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    edited July 2021
    How high? If they are only a tiny bit elevated it's probably nothing to worry about which is why your doctor didn't say it was and can be normal. Usually if they are just a tiny bit above the normal range we just recheck them at the next visit. If you have something really wrong usually your liver tests will be FAR above normal.

    Slightly above normal levels can be caused by anything from high protein intake to dehydration.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    Any updates from GI yet?
  • Chanda7799
    Chanda7799 Posts: 20 Member
    I’m sorry you’re going through this! I hope you find answers soon!
  • Maryjaneka
    Maryjaneka Posts: 2 Member
    I had a similar situation, and of the active remedy to cure the liver, as enzymes are elevated - essential phospholipids. Essential Forte is a drug, the active ingredient of which are, in fact, essential phospholipids. They helped me to repair damaged liver cells. This is accompanied by relief of symptoms that can be seen in fatty liver disease, mainly in such cases. 
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,281 Member
    @maryjaneka

    1. The OP should not be taking random medications recomended by random people on the internet, he should be discussing with his doctor.

    2. the post was over 6 months ago
  • Maryjaneka
    Maryjaneka Posts: 2 Member
    I had a similar situation, and of the active remedy to cure the liver, as enzymes are elevated - essential phospholipids. Essential Forte is a drug, the active ingredient of which are, in fact, essential phospholipids. They helped me to repair damaged liver cells. This is accompanied by relief of symptoms that can be seen in fatty liver disease, mainly in such cases. I was taught in medical schools trinityschoolofmedicine.org in the Caribbean this way. I think it would help you. If anyone is interested and wants to read about Caribbean medical school rankings, I noticed that some schools have interesting advantages. 
  • perkymommy
    perkymommy Posts: 1,642 Member
    Do you think it's carpal tunnel? I had it in both hands and had to have carpal tunnel release on both hands. I also have arthritis in my hands as well. My left hand is affected worse than the right and my thumb hurts bad on my right hand. I had a doctor suggest surgery on my thumb some years ago but I didn't go through with it at the time. I would talk to a orthopedic doctor if I were you. They are the ones that would do surgery or physical therapy anyway, not your medical doctor.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    Don't think Op is coming back lol.