Liver Function Test

[Klangley]

Was diagnosed beginning of last week, so a very new member. Getting that sort of news was a monumental shock. Thanks partially to the advice on this forum, my reaction was to go on a strict low-carb, high-fat diet and increase my exercise drastically. In just short of 2 weeks I have lost over 3kg (I have a BMI over 30 so lots to lose) and have walked on average 5 miles each day. I love the diet and absolutely love the exercise.

I also bought a monitor (best purchase ever). First test on turning it on 14.2 (admittedly after a meal). Since then my readings before dinner have averaged 7 (lowest 6.5). Two hours after dinner 8.2 (lowest 7.5). The trend of everything is downwards.

I had an appointment with the GP to discuss medication and a second set of blood work I did last week. The good news was when he looked at my mmol/l figures (I keep a spreadsheet, sad I know) he told me to keep up what I am doing. No need for medication just now. I tentatively mentioned low-carb and asked did he think it was a good idea. Basically he was supportive. He said it wont work for everyone but 'it is clearly working for you'. Then the bad news.....the recent blood work confirmed my previous high readings on the Liver Function Test.....in fact it had risen to 95. I have been referred to a specialist (on Monday). He mentioned probably needing a CAT scan. I have no other symptoms of liver issues. This, on top of the diabetic diagnosis, has really freaked me out. After 51 years of good health I am bloody falling apart! Don't know if anyone else has experienced this sort of scenario? Looking online a fatty liver is the most likely cause.....but you know what its like, google long enough and you can convince yourself its time to make some funeral arrangements!

I guess in retrospect the thing that is preying on my mind is the mention of a CAT Scan and the fact the liver function test trending upwards (when everything else is going in the right direction). They don't suggest a CAT scan unless its serious, right?

 

[zand]

Well my Liver function test was 159 and I was never even told about it! I had gone to my GP because I couldn't lose weight and I was given a low GI diet which was so bad I put on 8 lbs in 2 weeks. Next time I went to the surgery I was told my liver function test was slightly better and that I had fatty liver. I went away and read about insulin resistance and fatty liver, gave up diet drinks and the big starchy carbs and next time the liver count was around 80.

My son had glandular fever and his LFT was even worse than mine. The doctor sent him for a scan and it was fatty liver. So I would say carry on low carbing, it's carbs that cause fatty liver and keep alcohol to a minimum for the time being. I am sure this is just a blip and you are getting the right treatment having a scan to check that all is well otherwise.

Milk thistle is a good supplement to have for the liver, but always check with your GP first because supplements may be contraindicated with any drugs or conditions you may have. You can also get a supplement called Lipotropic factors, but again ask your GP before taking them.

If it helps I was around 50 when my body started falling apart too.

 

[Randburg]

Hi @Klangley .
When you get diagnosed it does tend to feel like a death call, but rather think of it as a chance to clean up your lifestyle.
Pleased to hear that low Carb is working for you, as it has for me and many others with type 2 diabetes.
The weight loss is great, and if it is Fatty liver loosing weight will help you.
I also have a bad liver, and have had it for a number of years, my readings are a lot higher than yours, in my case it has also caused my spleen to enlarge, and I am on medication.
I have had a number of Cat scans, and apart from the noise, they are painless. ( MRI scans are noisier)
Cat scans will let the doctors really see what and how bad your problems are, and this will get your problems sorted out, you must go.
Depending on the tests they do they might inject you with a dye, but again its over in less than 30 minutes.
Good luck, you are already going in the right direction
Let us know how things progress

 

[Klangley]

@zand and @Randburg I appreciate so much you taking the time to post. You have really lifted my mood. And as usual with this forum some excellent advice from people who 'have been there done that'. No question of me missing the consultant appointment. Hiding your head in the sand never works in my experience. Came across some glowing recommendations for Milk Thistle online....I am on no medication of any sort (unless you count red wine) so will probably give it a try. I am being really careful with alcohol. None during the week and a couple of glasses each night at the weekend (with food). Watching the Rugby may test my resolve, but its amazing what a kick up the ass like a diabetes diagnosis can do for your will-power. Thanks again for your posts guys.

 

[SunnyExpat]

Fatty liver responds well on the Newcastle Diet apparently. 8 weeks pain, for a lifetime gain

 

[MaryCanary]

I'm also just diagnosed two weeks ago and like you, I was extremely shocked despite knowing for several years that my liver has been struggling. My numbers for the liver were much higher than yours and I have been for umpteen scans. I have a fatty liver too, and on reading around it seems that this can lead to diabetes. My numbers fell from 117 last year to 59 this year, which was the one bit of good news I received while I was getting the diabetes bombshell.

Like you, I low-carbed the minute I found out about it and I too am feeling the benefit of it, only two weeks later! Already I have lost 4 kilos and i am much more energetic! A further benefit is that my liver does not seem to be hurting me the way it did before. I believe that with careful management, the liver can, if not quite repair itself, certainly reduce the fatty content. In some ways, maybe this diabetes diagnosis is the best thing that ever happened to me! I feel ready to take control of my life again!

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Here is some info about Milk Thistle. This is a good website for finding impartial info about supplements.
http://examine.com/supplements/Milk Thistle/

 

[graj0]

Then the bad news.....the recent blood work confirmed my previous high readings on the Liver Function Test.....in fact it had risen to 95. I have been referred to a specialist (on Monday). He mentioned probably needing a CAT scan. I have no other symptoms of liver issues. . . . . . . Don't know if anyone else has experienced this sort of scenario? Looking online a fatty liver is the most likely cause.....but you know what its like, google long enough and you can convince yourself its time to make some funeral arrangements!

They don't suggest a CAT scan unless its serious, right?

My liver function deteriorated dramatically after taking Rosiglitazone for several years (also responsible for massive weight gain, assisted by Citilapram to prevent the anxiety of gaining weight without overeating). My liver function numbers have been lousy ever since, well over 10 years now, and although I'm thinking that it's part of the reason weight loss is difficult (lost loads when they stopped Rosiglitazone, when I went low carb and after hospital stays), touch wood, there are no other problems except I may not metabolise any medication as well as I could, I seem to have all the side effects in spades.

You've been referred fairly quickly which is good and the specialist will decide if a scan is required, sometimes I think a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, I tend to take everything on Google with a very big pinch of salt. When you've read two opposing opinions from 2 very well qualified eminent specialists, you'll know exactly what I mean. The suggestion of a scan doesn't reflect any degree of seriousness, it's an excellent tool for seeing exactly what's going on. I tend to be grateful because I've had my little £5 a month donation to the High Wycombe Scanner Appeal going for years.

I recently had a scan because the medical profession weren't entirely sure what was going on inside me, at least it indicated surgery was required, but even the surgeon said "I won't know exactly what's going on, until I open you up", they only had a rough idea, even with the scan. I actually had a burst appendix, I'd had peritonitis and an abscess that started at the appendix and finished at the duodenum.

I hope that if you have a scan, all is well, and I'm not sure how it works in your area, but a week after my scan, my GP was phoning me to chase the hospital, it still took them a week to tell me exactly what my GP had said in the beginning. However, a phone call to my GP expressing my disappointment did lead to another call from the consultant explaining things much more clearly and that I would be going in for surgery.

 

[graj0]

Here is some info about Milk Thistle. This is a good website for finding impartial info about supplements.
http://examine.com/supplements/Milk Thistle/

That's a good source of info. I was taking Milk Thistle in an effort to improve Liver function but unfortunately because I've had a few other medical problems over the last few months, I haven't been taking them. Now that I've been sorted, I must try and remember to get back on the wagon. I keep falling off this supplement wagon, usually pretty good with the other wagons. LOL
Still looking for anyone with experience of Berberine, I've seen the scientific stuff and makes me wonder why it's not used more, especially as it seems to be very good with insulin resistance and as with a lot of herbal stuff, been used in China for ages.

 

[tuatara]

My partner had a stone stuck in her bile duct and her liver reading was in the thousands. It was like that for weeks. So 95 isn't toooo bad.

 

[Klangley]

Well I had my meeting with consultant this morning. He took an incredibly detailed history and did a basic examination. Basically he said that I show all the signs of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). A few more tests are needed, but from my blood work he is reasonably confident that's what we are dealing with. I gave another gallon of blood and am back on Wednesday for an ultrasound.....perhaps its twins

@MaryCanary he said that NAFLD doesn't actually cause diabetes, both conditions are associated with a high BMI. I asked about a low-carb diet and he said of course that is a good idea, carbs equal sugar. He said the treatment for both conditions is exactly the same, remove the weight through increasing the exercise and changing diet. Like you I started about 2 weeks ago and have lost 4kg. I absolutely agree with you on the benefits, I feel much better. I know its just the honeymoon period, but I am honestly kicking myself for not having done this before.

@graj0 thanks for your post, one of the consultants first questions was about what medication I was on and this, above anything else, can really affect the Liver Function Tests. Of course you are right about the scan, its just very easy to think the worst. Never heard of Berberine, although I will be looking it up later today.

But also thanks to everyone who took time to read and post.