General Health Thread

[Guest]

I'm unable to find anything similar on here, so apologies if there is anything. 

 

I've been told by the doctors that my liver function is high, and I have to go in for a scan. They believe it could be hepatitis / liver disease but they're not sure at this very moment in time. I'm no longer allowed to drink (at the moment) which is a bit of a ball ache but nevermind. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar? I'm a worrier so I'm always fearing the worst. 

 

I also thought we could use this place to discuss general health questions and get things of our chest. 

[SpacedX]

2 minutes ago, Harrydc said:

I'm unable to find anything similar on here, so apologies if there is anything. 

 

I've been told by the doctors that my liver function is high, and I have to go in for a scan. They believe it could be hepatitis / liver disease but they're not sure at this very moment in time. I'm no longer allowed to drink (at the moment) which is a bit of a ball ache but nevermind. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar? I'm a worrier so I'm always fearing the worst. 

 

I also thought we could use this place to discuss general health questions and get things of our chest. 

Raised liver enzymes - ALT and AST - can have a range of causes and may be temporary. Are you on any medications? - If so obviously your GP will be aware of that. Try not to worry. The referral for a scan is common practice and as much to rule out causes of your high liver function so try to avoid speculation in the meantime. Liver issues related to alcohol, obesity and diabetes can be the cause of slightly elevated liver enzyme levels, followed by Hepatitis B or C but it may be something far more innocuous. Like I say, in many cases, elevated transaminases are temporary and do not necessarily indicate serious disease.

[Guest Harrydc]

3 minutes ago, Line-X said:

Raised liver enzymes - ALT and AST - can have a range of causes and may be temporary. Are you on any medications? - If so obviously your GP will be aware of that. Try not to worry. The referral for a scan is common practice and as much to rule out causes of your high liver function so try to avoid speculation in the meantime. Liver issues related to alcohol, obesity and diabetes can be the cause of slightly elevated liver enzyme levels, followed by Hepatitis B or C but it may be something far more innocuous. Like I say, in many cases, elevated transaminases are temporary and do not necessarily indicate serious disease.

Thanks much appreciated. 

 

I've always been a bit of a hypercondriac so I'm fearing things such as liver cancer etc. I suppose I'll just have to wait it out. 

 

I had repeat blood tests yesterday and they took 7 different samples which I thought was strange. 

[Izzy]

22 minutes ago, Harrydc said:

I'm unable to find anything similar on here, so apologies if there is anything. 

 

I've been told by the doctors that my liver function is high, and I have to go in for a scan. They believe it could be hepatitis / liver disease but they're not sure at this very moment in time. I'm no longer allowed to drink (at the moment) which is a bit of a ball ache but nevermind. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar? I'm a worrier so I'm always fearing the worst. 

 

I also thought we could use this place to discuss general health questions and get things of our chest. 

Harry, it's perfectly normal to fear the worst - you're only human.

 

The good news is they've caught the issue which means they can do something about it. Modern science is incredible and I'm sure they'll find out what the exact issue is and put you on the relevant treatment as soon as they can.

 

I wont bore you with my health issues as we'll be here all day, but rest assumed you're in good hands.

 

All the best and try to stay positive.

 

P.S. I haven't had a drink in 5 years and although I sometimes miss it, I've adapted and life goes on...

[Guest Harrydc]

Just now, Izzy said:

Harry, it's perfectly normal to fear the worst - you're only human.

 

The good news is they've caught the issue which means they can do something about it. Modern science is incredible and I'm sure they'll find out what the exact issue is and put you on the relevant treatment as soon as they can.

 

I wont bore you with my health issues as we'll be here all day, but rest assumed you're in good hands.

 

All the best and try to stay positive.

 

P.S. I haven't had a drink in 5 years and although I sometimes miss it, I've adapted and life goes on...

Thank you so much. 

[SpacedX]

2 hours ago, Izzy said:

Harry, it's perfectly normal to fear the worst - you're only human.

 

The good news is they've caught the issue which means they can do something about it. Modern science is incredible and I'm sure they'll find out what the exact issue is and put you on the relevant treatment as soon as they can.

 

I wont bore you with my health issues as we'll be here all day, but rest assumed you're in good hands.

 

All the best and try to stay positive.

 

P.S. I haven't had a drink in 5 years and although I sometimes miss it, I've adapted and life goes on...

^

Very much this.

 

It's easy to say, but try not to worry - and remember, as divisive as it may seem, this forum can be a very supportive place if you need it.  

[z-layrex]

2 hours ago, Harrydc said:

Thanks much appreciated. 

 

I've always been a bit of a hypercondriac so I'm fearing things such as liver cancer etc. I suppose I'll just have to wait it out. 

 

I had repeat blood tests yesterday and they took 7 different samples which I thought was strange. 

Oh they will just be covering all bases don't worry about that. How was your alcohol intake before this?

[Guest Harrydc]

5 hours ago, z-layrex said:

Oh they will just be covering all bases don't worry about that. How was your alcohol intake before this?

I suppose i'd go out drinking maybe once a week, but it'd be excessive I do admit. For example - going to the football and then going out after. In the week i'd have a couple of beers here and there after work to wind down. But I just feel a lot of people my age (23) are similar. 

[MPH]

8 hours ago, Harrydc said:

I'm unable to find anything similar on here, so apologies if there is anything. 

 

I've been told by the doctors that my liver function is high, and I have to go in for a scan. They believe it could be hepatitis / liver disease but they're not sure at this very moment in time. I'm no longer allowed to drink (at the moment) which is a bit of a ball ache but nevermind. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar? I'm a worrier so I'm always fearing the worst. 

 

I also thought we could use this place to discuss general health questions and get things of our chest. 

 

have you been taking a lot of paracetamol recently?

 

 

any issues with being gluten intolerant?

 

both simple explanations for raised liver enzymes. 
 

also, any thyroid issues? Untreated hypothyroidism can effect your liver- liver and thyroids are closely connected  in function.

Edited 27 October 2021 by MPH

[MPH]

 

( that’s one of the reasons you have to take so many blood samples- with a ‘hidden’ issue like this , there’s so many possible simple explanations that half of it is about ruling possibilities out rather than ruling them in, if you get what I mean..

[Guest Harrydc]

31 minutes ago, MPH said:

 

have you been taking a lot of paracetamol recently?

 

 

any issues with being gluten intolerant?

 

both simple explanations for raised liver enzymes. 
 

also, any thyroid issues? Untreated hypothyroidism can effect your liver- liver and thyroids are closely connected  in function.

I usually take numerous a day, especially in the morning and in the night time. 

 

However, the week prior to these second lot of tests I didn't take any as I thought it could be a contribution. 

[MPH]

22 minutes ago, Harrydc said:

I usually take numerous a day, especially in the morning and in the night time. 

 

However, the week prior to these second lot of tests I didn't take any as I thought it could be a contribution. 

 

I think often liver enzymes can gradually increase and then gradually decrease… it’s at least worth mentioning to your Dr to see if he thinks it could be an issue. 

[Parafox]

Let us know what you'd like on your headstone... 

 

You'll be fine, temporary blip on your blood test based on what you've said so far. Unless you're on a litre of spirits a week and not eating enough cabbage.

[z-layrex]

1 hour ago, Harrydc said:

I usually take numerous a day, especially in the morning and in the night time. 

 

However, the week prior to these second lot of tests I didn't take any as I thought it could be a contribution. 

Why are you taking numerous paracetamol tablets a day at 23 years old?

 

Your alcohol intake sounds fine for your age, maybe even less than normal if we are being realistic.

[Guest Harrydc]

32 minutes ago, z-layrex said:

Why are you taking numerous paracetamol tablets a day at 23 years old?

 

Your alcohol intake sounds fine for your age, maybe even less than normal if we are being realistic.

I'm not sure. I seemed to have it in my head that taking them before bed helped me to sleep. I suffer from insomnia, I used to be given zopiclone but they won't let me have it anymore as it can be addictive. Maybe I take them as a placebo. After a couple beers they seem to help, or so I thought. 

[MPH]

2 hours ago, Harrydc said:

I'm not sure. I seemed to have it in my head that taking them before bed helped me to sleep. I suffer from insomnia, I used to be given zopiclone but they won't let me have it anymore as it can be addictive. Maybe I take them as a placebo. After a couple beers they seem to help, or so I thought. 

 

I would maybe explore the paracetamol use with your Dr a bit more.. ask their opinion on whether they feel it could be part of the problem.

[stix]

16 hours ago, Harrydc said:

I'm unable to find anything similar on here, so apologies if there is anything. 

 

I've been told by the doctors that my liver function is high, and I have to go in for a scan. They believe it could be hepatitis / liver disease but they're not sure at this very moment in time. I'm no longer allowed to drink (at the moment) which is a bit of a ball ache but nevermind. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar? I'm a worrier so I'm always fearing the worst. 

 

I also thought we could use this place to discuss general health questions and get things of our chest. 

What kind of symptoms were you having that made you book an appointment to see your gp in the first place? 

[z-layrex]

5 hours ago, Harrydc said:

I'm not sure. I seemed to have it in my head that taking them before bed helped me to sleep. I suffer from insomnia, I used to be given zopiclone but they won't let me have it anymore as it can be addictive. Maybe I take them as a placebo. After a couple beers they seem to help, or so I thought. 

I mean obviously I'm not a doctor and I don't want to say this is the cause of your liver numbers being up, but it definitely could be, make sure you've told your gp that you were taking them every day.