Blood Test Results

Malabsorption still rules the day for us, folks, even so far out. Get your bloodwork done! My results show: first and foremost, liver damage - still, and I'm afraid the next step is a biopsy; cirrosis is not a good thing at all, not a good thing - next, tests show anemia, which is probably why I am bloating, like Connie reported. My protein level is quite low, although I am ingesting at least 60 grams a day. But it's quite low. I'm seeing my regular doctor in two weeks, my WLS surgeon in September. Mostly worried about the liver - Connie, what are you doing for the anemia? M.

Was the liver damage caused by WLS?

Hi, and welcome to our board. My doctor (PCP, not my WLS surgeon) believes that the damage was most likely caused as a result of living more than 3 decades as a super morbidly obese person; I weighed between 340-400 lbs. most of my adult life. My doctor thinks that my liver became encased in fat, which causing scarring, which leads eventually to cirrosis of the liver - a life threatening disease. However, my routine blood work prior to my surgery do not show these troubling indicators - so I believe his theory is not very reasonable. I suspect he is trying to make me feel better, less frightened - that's the kind of doctor he is, and friend to me. I am going to ask for further testing to rule out Hepititis C, and probably a liver biopsy to gauge the level of cirrosis, if this is what's going on. Are you just now considering surgery? Ask any questions you need answered - this is one of the finest group of people you will find on these boards - take care. Maureen

wow...I hope its nothing serious ...I have never heard anything so far as to WLS causing liver damage...Im curious to see what might be the cause. As for your anemia...are you taking iron supplements with your multi vitamin if so take them at different times cause the multi can hamper the effect of the iron supplement...I take 2 iron supplements daily along with my multi at different times of the day..seems to work. Oh also got my  latest blood work back and my Vit D level is up from a severe low of 12 to 63...YEAHHHHHH!!!!! I have been taking 50,000  of the dry form d-3 twice weekly and boy did it make a difference my bones dont hurt no more and I feel great. I tell you if you are ever given the gell form from your doctor...they DO NOT work...we dont absorb the gell ones...get the dry form. Everyone get your yearly blood work done and faithfully take your supplements!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Maureen,
So sorry to hear about the liver problems and the possibility of cirrhosis.  My brother had cirrhosis and it wasn't pretty.  His was caused by alcoholism.    I also have a friend at work, who has not had WLS, but lost about 35 pounds through Weigh****chers, who has sky high liver counts.  She is not a drinker abet social only on occassion.  Her doctor first tested her for Hepatitis (came back negative for A, B &C) and an MRI of her liver.  They have determined that she has a virus that has caused her liver counts to be so high.  She got nauseated last week and went in and had her labs again.  When her counts are up, she feels poorly.  It is just a matter of letting the virus run it's course.  She still has a few more tests to be run.

How are you doing otherwise?  I hope you are taking flying lessons or at least reading the book..:)!  Have a ball at your reunion; they will be so psyched to see how beautiful you are! 

Hugs,
Karen

Reenie any word on your tests?

I am not sure about WLS causing the liver damage.  Yes, it may not have showed in bloodwork pre surgically.  I, for one, cannot blame every ailment I have on the surgery.  I am slightly anemic...but I always was, even as a child I had a low white count.  I take iron every day.  I think the years of being obese takes a toll on us when we age, even though we lost the weight.  Lets face it...the older we get, the more things are likely to go wrong.  I am bloating too...I am on Lasix..but I don't think it has anything to do with the surgery...my mother always had a problem with fluid retention, and I probably inherited it from her.  Is your liver in such a condition that you are seeing a specialist?   Did the doctor specifically tell you that it is cirrhosis?  It may not be as serious as you think, if they didn't tell you to get to the doctor immediately.  I had blood work a few months ago.  The anemic thing came up, which we knew about, so we upped the iron slightly.  Everything else was fine.  I have not seen my WLS doctor in a while, but my primary told me he would be in touch with him if need be.  I had an abnormal mammogram, had to have testing done.  I had a dialated milk duct and calcifications.  I know that isn't because of WLS....the thought didn't even enter my mind.  I am sure you are going to be fine...just follow up and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.
Take care,
Joanie

Hey Reenie
 Don't feel like the lone ranger here, I just got my blood test results & iron levels are in
the toilet as well. Protien is good, but, iron is way low & she just put me on iron script
plus anti-biotic for mild kidney infection. Don't want or need that to get out of control
again. I go tomorrow to find out about the spine trouble & results of the MRI on that.
My kidney problems are from the advil & tylenol I was taking for so long when hurting.
Hang in there & feel better.

Reenie,
Low protein causes edema.  I was told to up it to 90 grams a day so you might want to try that for the bloating.  If you're taking any type of antacid, you might want to stop because it blocks protein absorption.

My anemia isn't caused by low iron, it's caused by some sort of internal bleed.  I had a CT scan a week or so ago and it didn't show anything earth shattering.  I get scoped on Tuesday and I have another MRI and Vestibular therapy coming up so we'll see what happens after that. 

I hope you get the liver situation straightened out very soon.

Ah, babydoll, I hope they get to the bottom of this for you. Yep, my protein is quite low (blood results) and just got the Vitamin D results - in the toilet, even though I take a D supplement every day. I am trying to up the protein but so afraid of the plumbing getting all blocked up!! Keep us posted - I saw you posting about your scope results, when is the MRI? Love ya, Maureen