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Hepatitis C Main Forums => Post Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: jbnewport on March 01, 2019, 04:15:37 pm

Title: Elevated Liver Function tests
Post by: jbnewport on March 01, 2019, 04:15:37 pm
Hi,

I finished treatment almost 6 months ago.  I now have swelling in my legs and elevated liver enzymes tests.  Very worried.  Any advice? :'(
Title: Re: Elevated Liver Function tests
Post by: jbnewport on March 01, 2019, 04:44:48 pm
Hi,

I finished treatment almost 6 months ago.  I now have swelling in my legs and elevated liver enzymes tests.  Very worried.  Any advice? :'(

Doctor has recommended a liver biopsy.
Title: Re: Elevated Liver Function tests
Post by: Lynn K on March 01, 2019, 10:29:50 pm
Does your doctor have access to either a Fibroscan machine similar to an ultrasound except that it makes a sort of thump that estimates liver stiffness. There is also a blood test called a fibrosure that can also estimate liver stiffness (aka fibrosis or liver scarring) both are less invasive than a liver biopsy.

Do you have other risk factors for liver disease? For example if you are above normal BMI you could have NAFLD non alcohol fatty liver disease. This is where you have fatty deposits in the liver that can also cause elevated liver enzymes and liver damage. That are other conditions that can also cause elevated liver enzymes.

Also having elevated liver enzymes means something is currently attacking or irritating your liver. This does not necessarily mean you have liver damage. Neither does having normal liver enzymes mean you do not have liver damage.

After my hep c was cured my liver enzymes returned to normal but prior to being cured I had liver cirrhosis for 7 years. Not 4 years post cure my liver enzymes are normal but I still have indications of liver cirrhosis.

Do you have any symptoms of advanced liver disease? Do you have and excess abdominal flyidcalled ascities? You can have a small amount only visible on ultrasound testing or pronounced ascities where the stomach is so swollen the person appears pregnant. Is your platelet count below normal? This is a common early sign of portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis.

Are you having abdominal ultrasounds done every six months along with blood testing including the AFP or alfafeto protein to look for early signs of HCC (liver cancer) How wasyur liver before treatment were you F3 fibrosis or F4 cirrhosis before you treated? What kind of doctor are you seeing? Is your doctor at least a gastroenterologist or hepatologist?

Best of luck