Question:
Elevated Enzymes post-op, never before!

Ok, I'm on vacation right now & had surgery 3/25/03. I've used an HMO for the last 12 years & am a nurse who believes in taking care of myself. I've never had elevated enzymes before this surgery, & haven't been able to talk to my surgeon yet, but that's coming. Unfortunately, my AST was 280 4/19/22 when I had all my lab work done for my primary doc. He looked at it, couldn't figure it beyond possibly being my new BCP, suggested it was lab error & had me redo a full lipid panel on 4/22/03. It came back with my AST elevated-175 points higher...Anyone with real answers out there, or am I just better off checking with my surgeon?    — Kitty D. (posted on April 27, 2003)

April 26, 2003
SLIGHTLY elevated liver enzymes are pretty normal for us. And they often come back down in time without much effort. I take milk thistle, but then mine are just a little high. With numbers like that, yep, back to the barn for a check up.
   — vitalady

April 26, 2003
We had a liver specialist speak at our last support group meeting. He said most fatty liver issues disappear but oiccasionally the fast loss causes trouble. Definetely worth following up on. Your really a new postie so dont panic, but do get it looked at. Yours is a uncommon problem but few get blood work at a month. Its likely more frequent but noit observed. Our bodies go thru so many changes so fast wierd stuff comes up. Now dont let this ruin your vacation. Where are you having fun at?
   — bob-haller

April 27, 2003
Kitty, My enzymes are also elevated. My surgeon was not concerned, but my PCP,(who is an internist) is, so she is keeping an eye on them. I am almost 8 months out, and they are still high. I will have them checked again here soon. Also, my PCP consulted a different WLS surgeon, and he said that if a lot was bypassed they would be elevated for awhile, unfortunatley, this was not the case for me. My levels were also elevated back in '96 when I had my gallbladder out, so maybe that's just how my body reacts to being messed with!! If you are having ANY right sided pain, get checked right away. Good luck to you. -114 pounds!!!!!!!!!!
   — Terri Z.