Abnormal liver and inflammation on blood test?...
Discussion
Went to the doctor regarding a rash I've got, its been diagnosed as infected hair follicles folliculitis.
He done a blood test and when I spoke to him he said it came back good however my liver count is slightly abnormal and its also showing inflammation on the test, he wants to do another one when iv had my antibiotics.
I feel fine and healthy but I'm a worrier and am anxious about the result.
Anyone had similar?...
He done a blood test and when I spoke to him he said it came back good however my liver count is slightly abnormal and its also showing inflammation on the test, he wants to do another one when iv had my antibiotics.
I feel fine and healthy but I'm a worrier and am anxious about the result.
Anyone had similar?...
Ah I see. There are 5 or so elements to a standard liver function test which look at different specific things. Without knowing which value was high/low (and how high/low outside of normal range) you won't really know what the problem might be.
I'd ask for a copy of the results and do some googling. Most GPs (pre Covid at least) would do this for free on request although some specifically don't do this as they don't like patients googling stuff and asking difficult questions! I don't think they can refuse though as it's your personal data.
I'd ask for a copy of the results and do some googling. Most GPs (pre Covid at least) would do this for free on request although some specifically don't do this as they don't like patients googling stuff and asking difficult questions! I don't think they can refuse though as it's your personal data.
Abnormal liver enzymes are a very, very common incidental finding. The commonest cause of persistent elevation in this country is being overweight and is associated with hepatic steatosis (“fatty liver”) which is typically seen on ultrasound. The treatment is getting healthier and losing weight. Booze is the next most common cause. More serious illnesses like infective hepatitis are rarer. Generally a doctor will recheck to confirm the elevation isn’t transient (as above, drugs, including antibiotics are a very common cause but the elevation doesn't last much longer than the course of the drug) and perform blood tests to exclude various types of infective and autoimmune hepatitis and a couple of very rare illnesses and concurrently arrange liver imaging. 95 times out of a hundred the resulting chat revolves around laying off the booze and pies.
Your doctor knows infinitely more about your medical history and previous results than any of us. Assuming he/she is a normal human being, you should book a routine telephone call and discuss your concerns with them. Any reasonable doc would be happy to oblige (though of course unreasonable docs exist). Personally I don’t mind patients Googling stuff but if you confess to being anxious, the internet will do nothing but heighten your anxiety.
Your doctor knows infinitely more about your medical history and previous results than any of us. Assuming he/she is a normal human being, you should book a routine telephone call and discuss your concerns with them. Any reasonable doc would be happy to oblige (though of course unreasonable docs exist). Personally I don’t mind patients Googling stuff but if you confess to being anxious, the internet will do nothing but heighten your anxiety.
Edited by DeWar on Friday 4th September 15:56
DeWar said:
Abnormal liver enzymes are a very, very common incidental finding. The commonest cause of persistent elevation in this country is being overweight and is associated with hepatic steatosis (“fatty liver”) which is typically seen on ultrasound. The treatment is getting healthier and losing weight. Booze is the next most common cause. More serious illnesses like infective hepatitis are rarer. Generally a doctor will recheck to confirm the elevation isn’t transient (as above, drugs, including antibiotics are a very common cause but the elevation doesn't last much longer than the course of the drug) and perform blood tests to exclude various types of infective and autoimmune hepatitis and a couple of very rare illnesses and concurrently arrange liver imaging. 95 times out of a hundred the resulting chat revolves around laying off the booze and pies.
Your doctor knows infinitely more about your medical history and previous results than any of us. Assuming he/she is a normal human being, you should book a routine telephone call and discuss your concerns with them. Any reasonable doc would be happy to oblige (though of course unreasonable docs exist). Personally I don’t mind patients Googling stuff but if you confess to being anxious, the internet will do nothing but heighten your anxiety.
Thanks for all your replies!Your doctor knows infinitely more about your medical history and previous results than any of us. Assuming he/she is a normal human being, you should book a routine telephone call and discuss your concerns with them. Any reasonable doc would be happy to oblige (though of course unreasonable docs exist). Personally I don’t mind patients Googling stuff but if you confess to being anxious, the internet will do nothing but heighten your anxiety.
Edited by DeWar on Friday 4th September 15:56
Could the infection cause it though?
Iv only been on antibiotics after the blood test...
Edited by D1on on Friday 4th September 17:34
I posted last night and then somehow managed to delete it but possible curve ball...
OH is coeliac - we only discovered this a few years ago. He’s struggled nearly all his life with skin issues, so much so they used to attack it with fairly nasty drugs when he was younger, and most recently antibiotics for folliculitis. We stumbled upon the coeliac when we tried cutting out some foods for a bit at my wits end to try and help a few other issues that were also happening and it was suddenly a revelation. Alongside that he quite often has elevated liver levels if he’s been glutened.
What I’m getting at is defo have a chat with the GP - it’s not always panic stations and can be stuff that wouldn’t necessarily occur to you or something fairly simple.
OH is coeliac - we only discovered this a few years ago. He’s struggled nearly all his life with skin issues, so much so they used to attack it with fairly nasty drugs when he was younger, and most recently antibiotics for folliculitis. We stumbled upon the coeliac when we tried cutting out some foods for a bit at my wits end to try and help a few other issues that were also happening and it was suddenly a revelation. Alongside that he quite often has elevated liver levels if he’s been glutened.
What I’m getting at is defo have a chat with the GP - it’s not always panic stations and can be stuff that wouldn’t necessarily occur to you or something fairly simple.
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