Question:
Abnormal Liver counts

I am alitle over a year post op and having abnormal liver counts. I've had some liver test, but they csn't find a reason. I have been doing some research on this and have read that it is now un common for weight loss patients to have liver problems. Now I am worried jusy how far these problems will go. Any input on this would be helpful.    — Mary S. (posted on November 18, 2003)

November 17, 2003
Years ago I had adnormal liver counts and it turned out to be my antidepressants, they thought. It took a couple of months of being off of them before it returned to normal. That was my doctors guess to what was going on.
   — Joan R.

November 17, 2003
I also had abnormal liver counts years ago after a major surgical operation. A hematologist in conjunction with an iInternist found out that I had some internal bleeding from my surgery. The bleeding stopped but I had dead bloodcells in my system which were being filtered by the liver. That's what caused the crazy lab reports. My labs were so bad they had to rule out lupus, leukemia and that someone could be poisoning me before they could move on to other theories. It eventually went away, but it took almost a year. This of course is an over-simplified version of what happened, but it is the jist of the situation.
   — M B.

November 18, 2003
I'm not sure what you mean by "abnormal liver counts," but elevated liver enzymes showed up in my labs at about 8 months post-op. I checked the AMOS Library and yahoo grads group, and found that some WLS patients develop elevated liver enzymes temporarily (perhaps as a side effect from washing so much fat through the liver during the rapid weight loss phase). Whatever its cause, I also read that taking milk thistle can help bring the liver enzymes down (milk thisle being good for the liver). Mine are still above normal, but they've dropped considerably the last few months. I'm hoping they'll return to the normal range soon.
   — Suzy C.

November 18, 2003
I was just in the ER for extreme pain in my sides and back as well as nausea. They ran blood tests and the doctor said something about my liver enzymes. I had just had pain meds so I cant remember. I was also in the hospital in July for the same thing. They originally thought it was something to do with my bile duct as my blood pressure was down to 70/40. They ran CAT scans and MRIs and found nothing there - so now I get to go do a whole slew of tests that have to do with my liver. I did have my gallbladder out a few years ago and WLS in January of 2002. I am not sure what in going on with my liver, but it sounds like from the responses that it is common for readings to be off. My PCP and WLS surgeon are both aware of my off readings, pain and nausea from time to time. Sometimes it is so severe that I cant even stand and it is very fustrating that they cant find anything wrong. I am going for more tests today. Wish me well! I am also on glucophage and that may have something to do with it as well. I hope we both find out what is going on, and make sure you keep in touch with your doctors.
   — Heidi B.

November 18, 2003
I had some very high liver numbers earlier this year because of some medications that I had taken. I went through a lot of test to make sure that I had no obvious liver problems and then I began taking Milk Thistle. My numbers are now back to normal so I can definitely say that the Milk Thistle is a big help.
   — Arizona_Sun

November 18, 2003
hiya~ a few culprits are obviously the surgery (my alt/ast levels were quite elevated for 18 months and suddenly dropped back to normal at 24 months) but also taking certain medications like tylenol can raise your liver enzymes as well as drinking ANY alcohol. there can be other causes of elevated liver enzymes such as bone/muscle injury or heart attack (which would follow the muscle injury theory). My doctor just followed it and did a ct scan and like I said boom at 24 months the levels were suddenly normal again! good luck, kate
   — jkb