"There's a myth that anyone who has a liver problem has brought it on themselves" This quote is from a Crohn's disease patient living with a blocked portal vein hoping for a liver transplant (Independent 31st Oct 2010)

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Positive blood test results

Picked up my set of results from the pre-biopsy bloods taken yesterday. They all look fine for the scheduled biopsy on Friday.

They also look positive after a week on low dose anti-inflammatory meds. My paranoia about jaundice is totally unfounded. Bilirubin has dropped and is well within normal levels.
Something called alanine aminotransferase or ALT has been consistently high since tests were started last June. When the liver is damaged it releases ALT into the bloodstream, which makes levels go up. I'd been advised by the consultant that mine will always be high because of the cirrhosis damage. However, after a week of the meds, my level has gone from a high of 84 down to 35 where the laboratory's 'normal' range is 10-50. I take back my comment from yesterday where I felt things weren't going in the right direction. Most autoimmune conditions respond to this type of medication, so Friday's biopsy results may shed further light on whether we're dealing with an autoimmune version of hepatitis (hope not) or an autoimmune version of arthritis.


Tuesday: Good nights sleep.
Wed: Stiff neck and shoulders on waking. Managed a work shift before taking meds. Training session at the office pm, plus taxi service for J, so more local driving than usual today.

2 comments:

  1. Woo hoo! 'Bout time for some positive test results. This should put you in the "bouncy, trouncy and fun" category for sure. Dulux pale 'Easter Morning' just isn't your color, my friend. Stick with fleshy pink. I'm keeping everything crossed for Friday's biopsy. Congrats on another good nights sleep. -Steve xx

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  2. Hi Fiona,

    Very good news on the test results - brilliant. At least you know things are moving in the right direction and hopefully Friday's biopsy will fill in the missing pieces.

    Will be thinking about you and hoping you get great news from this...

    Much luv xxx

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