What Does My Liver Test Results Indicate?
You might have chronic hepatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Most of the symptoms you are describing could be related to a problem in your liver, and the abnormal liver tests lend support to this thought. You need to have more definitive studies of your liver. Chronic hepatitis B and C can result in significant liver damage over time that can cause nausea, abdominal swelling, fatigue, and changes in bowel movements. There are other types of liver disease, such as fatty infiltration, alcoholic hepatitis, and damage to the liver from drugs, that can create similar symptoms.
Vitamin D deficiency is being found to be more common that originally believed. You need to be taking prescription-strength vitamin D supplements ordered by your doctor. Over the counter supplements are generally not adequate to get you back to normal levels.
I'm not sure about your spinning dizzy feeling, but if you have significant liver disease, the swelling in your abdomen might be due to collection of fluid there. This would come out of the bloodstream and cause a relative dehydration that could result in dizziness. Certainly if fluid is collecting in your abdomen, your weight can increase.
If you were my patient, I would be investigating possible liver conditions. This would include blood tests for hepatitis, and a scan of your abdomen, including the liver and looking for fluid in the abdomen. You might even need a liver biopsy, depending on the results of the other tests. Many of these conditions are treatable, so it is important to get a firm diagnosis soon.
Have your family doctor or an internal medicine specialist examine you, and start getting the testing done. You need to know what is causing the abnormal liver tests and to get started on treatment. You can also get a prescription for the appropriate dose of vitamin D.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Get further testing
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information. Another possibility for your abdominal symptoms and the abnormal liver function tests is a problem with your gallbladder. The scan you mention was done for the ovaries and probably not adequate to assess your liver or gallbladder. Sometimes special types of imaging procedures need to be done for the gallbladder.
Overuse of aspirin and ibuprofen can cause intestinal problems, including gastritis and ulcers. If you are continuing to have the symptoms of reflux and pain despite treatment, you might want to discuss an upper endoscopy with your doctors. This will allow a direct look at your esophagus and stomach and can identify these conditions.
Since you will be going back to your doctor, you can ask him or her about the other testing I've mentioned. Certainly you need further blood tests to see what may be causing the abnormal liver tests. A screen for chronic hepatitis should be done. Also ask about upper endoscopy and imaging studies of gallbladder and liver. You can also ask about other medicines for the abdominal pain. Sometimes a different one will work better. Avoid the aspirin, ibuprofen, and alcohol until this is figured out. Hope this helps.
Chronic hepatitis is usually B or C
Detailed Answer:
Chronic VIRAL hepatitis is usually B or C. There are lab panels that can be ordered that contain the appropriate tests. Your doctor should know what to order. Sometimes a general screen for both chronic and acute viral hepatitis may be done, which also includes A. Your doctor may order other tests checking for other causes of hepatitis.
Your liver test abnormalities could be due to some other cause of liver disease, including other forms of chronic hepatitis. "Hepatitis" simply means "liver inflammation." At this time we don't know what is causing your liver test abnormalities. Hepatitis B and C and alcoholic cirrhosis are the most common forms of liver damage, so generally testing is done for those first. As I said, depending on results, further studies such as imaging tests may be necessary to reach a firm diagnosis. Hope this answers your query.