Suffering From Itching In Both Legs. LFT Is Abnormal. Treatment?

Posted on Wed, 7 Nov 2012

Question: my younger brother is suffering from itching in both legs his LFT is also abnormal

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (53 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query.

I am Dr.Ratnakar Kini, Gastroenterologist and I am pleased to answer your question.

There are many causes of itching including diseases that affect the flow of bile from liver to intestine.

I would like to have some more information before I can give my opinion.

1.How old is he?

2. How long has he been having this symptom?

3. Why was LFT done?

I would like to see the complete LFT report.

4. Is he passing pale stools?

5. Any skin lesions?

Kindly get back to me with the answers and I would give my opinion.

Regards,
Dr.Ratnakar Kini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (26 minutes later)

He is 32 years old. He is having these symptoms from last 10-15 days. Due to chest pain my physician at Raipur has suggested me for SGPT in the month of July & at the SGPT value was too high & after 02 month of treatment he had LFT, the report is as follows:

Test     Results     Unit     Reference Range
Bilirubin (Total)     1.86     mg/dl     0.2-1.0
Bilirubin (Direct)     0.56     mg/dl     0-0.2
Bilirubin (Indirect)     1.3     mg/dl     0.2-0.7
SGOT (AST)     21     U/L     10-50 U/L
SGPT (ALT)     27     U/L     10-50 U/L
Alkaline Phosphatase     140     U/L     42-129 U/L

After the LFT the doctor has prescribed him a combination of Montelukast Sodium & Levocetrizine Tablets & Hydroxyzine & Silybin 120 mg.

Stool is normal & no skin lesions.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (14 hours later)

Hi,
Other than the slightly and insignificantly increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, his LFT looks absolutely normal.
His SGPT is absolutely normal now.
An ultrasound scan of the abdomen may be done to see if the bile duct is normal.
Since these values are only insignicantly raised you can ignore them for now.
His LFT may be repeated after 4 weeks.

If there are no more questions, kindly accept this answer and rate this service.

Regards,
Dr.Ratnakar Kini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (8 minutes later)

but i fail to ubderstand the cause of itching so kindly suggest me cause and treatment of itching in both legs due to jaundice

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (49 minutes later)

Hi,
As I told in my first post, there are many causes of itching .
One of the causes is when the bile flow from liver to intestine is affected.
But the liver function test report shows that it is less likely to be the cause.
But to confirm I have suggested a repeat LFT and an ultrasound scan of abdomen.

If these two are normal, then liver cause of itching is ruled out. In that case, you may have to consult your dermatologist again to find the cause of itching.

If you have no more questions, kindly accept this answer and rate this service.

Regards,
Dr.Ratnakar Kini

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar