I Have Elevated Liver Enzymes

[Rachel--24]

I saw a new GI last week. He did some bloodwork and ran the Celiac panel even though I've already been on the diet 1 year. Maybe he thought I wasnt really gluten-free? Anyway, they called today today and said the bloodwork was negative but I have elevated liver enzymes. I'm scheduled for an upper CT scan tomorrow...I already had this test last year and it was normal except they said my liver was a little "fatty". All my previous bloodwork was normal (I've had lots).

What can be cauing this? I've been gluten-free for a year and was still having problems. I eliminated casein last week. I've had fluid retention for 3 years now.

My blood protein ALB always comes back a little high but was told this is not significant...its only a problem if its low. I had low iron once and other than that everythings been normal. I'm worried about this but I dont know if I need to be.

Also, I havent had any alcohol in over a year and wasnt "big" on drinking before that.

[trents]

I saw a new GI last week. He did some bloodwork and ran the Celiac panel even though I've already been on the diet 1 year. Maybe he thought I wasnt really gluten-free? Anyway, they called today today and said the bloodwork was negative but I have elevated liver enzymes. I'm scheduled for an upper CT scan tomorrow...I already had this test last year and it was normal except they said my liver was a little "fatty". All my previous bloodwork was normal (I've had lots).

What can be cauing this? I've been gluten-free for a year and was still having problems. I eliminated casein last week. I've had fluid retention for 3 years now.

My blood protein ALB always comes back a little high but was told this is not significant...its only a problem if its low. I had low iron once and other than that everythings been normal. I'm worried about this but I dont know if I need to be.

Also, I havent had any alcohol in over a year and wasnt "big" on drinking before that.

Rachel,

I don't want to scare you but fatty liver disease can be a serious thing, if you have it to a significant degree. But you say it isn't bad in your case. What are they looking for in the CT scan? You might want to talk to a gastro doc about a liver biopsy if your are uncomfortable. You don't want your liver enzymes to be elevated for a significant length of time or permanent damage can result. Mine were elevated for a dozen years or more before Celiac diagnosis and now, though the enzymes are normal again, I think permant damage was done because albumin/total protein remain low.

Steve

[Rachel--24]

Rachel,

I don't want to scare you but fatty liver disease can be a serious thing, if you have it to a significant degree. But you say it isn't bad in your case. What are they looking for in the CT scan? You might want to talk to a gastro doc about a liver biopsy if your are uncomfortable. You don't want your liver enzymes to be elevated for a significant length of time or permanent damage can result. Mine were elevated for a dozen years or more before Celiac diagnosis and now, though the enzymes are normal again, I think permant damage was done because albumin/total protein remain low.

Steve

I dont trust my HMO that did the first CT scan. The doctors werent very good or knowledgeable but this is what the doctor said about the results.

Your liver has some fat in it. Out of 10 people I do a ct on, 4 have fatty infiltration, which by itself is not dangerous at all, but if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol a day or have a family history of liver disease it can be.

Thats all they told me.

Does that sound right? At that time I had normal bloodwork.

The first CT last year was done because I was losing weight and was sick. They never found anything wrong so just told me to see a shrink. Once I found out about Celiac and got on the diet I got alot better but still have problems and out of 25 lb. weight loss have only gained 5 back in 1 year. I only saw this new GI once and he wanted to do everything since he hasnt seen me before so he ordered all the tests and scheduled a CT and colonoscopy.

[trents]

I dont trust my HMO that did the first CT scan. The doctors werent very good or knowledgeable but this is what the doctor said about the results.

Your liver has some fat in it. Out of 10 people I do a ct on, 4 have fatty infiltration, which by itself is not dangerous at all, but if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol a day or have a family history of liver disease it can be.

Thats all they told me.

Does that sound right? At that time I had normal bloodwork.

The first CT last year was done because I was losing weight and was sick. They never found anything wrong so just told me to see a shrink. Once I found out about Celiac and got on the diet I got alot better but still have problems and out of 25 lb. weight loss have only gained 5 back in 1 year. I only saw this new GI once and he wanted to do everything since he hasnt seen me before so he ordered all the tests and scheduled a CT and colonoscopy.

What are the numbers on your liver enzymes anyway? I note you have Graves. Could your weight loss be tied to that? That's thyroid, right?

[Rachel--24]

What are the numbers on your liver enzymes anyway? I note you have Graves. Could your weight loss be tied to that? That's thyroid, right?

I dont know what the #'s are because they just called me today and told me it was high. She said the doctor will discuss it with me but since I'm already scheduled for CT tomorrow he'll talk to me after he gets the results of the scan.

The weight loss isnt related to Graves. I was actually 30 lbs. bigger when I had hyperthyroid. They nuked my thyroid because it wouldnt calm down so now I'm Hypo. Hyperthyroid does cause weight loss though and Hypo causes weight gain. Originally the doctors thought my symptoms were caused by the Graves but treatment didnt change anything and I just got sicker and started dropping the weight. Noone ever thought of Celiac.

[Guest Robbin]

Rachel, I have had elevated enzymes for years off and on as well. The drs. told me it could be from a number of things (mind you, this was before celiac dx) diabetes, gall bladder disease, alcohol, tylenol, low fiber diet. (I didn't have any of the listed problems they said, except the low fiber diet--too much D!) I don't know what my numbers are like since going gluten-free, but I haven't noticed the pain I would sometimes get in the liver area after meals, so I am hoping. I hope you get straightened out soon, you sure have had a lot to deal with.

[Rachel--24]

Thanks Robbin,

I think the elevated enzymes may be because of leaky gut. I have it really bad and cant tolerate chemicals, perfumes, smokers, etc. Plus I have numerous food sensitivities and have to eat only organic foods. I think its just really overloading my liver. All these things did get better for a period (when I first went gluten-free) but then when I started eating dairy, soy, processed foods etc. it all got worse. I never eliminated everything because I was confused and kept thinking I was glutened and just really didnt know why I felt worse. I could never pin-point anything. Now I'm finally realizing I have big problems with casein and soy (eggs too). I dont eat these foods outright but never scrutinized ingredients to weed them out so I think my gut is just really infamed and has never healed.

Some days I get reactions from everything around me. I can tell if a person uses fabric sheets in their laundry because my face swells up when they walk by. All of these toxins that my body cant seem to cope with are a definate sign of an overloaded liver. I just pray it gets better now that I've eliminated these other foods. I guess because my test results only came back positive for gluten-antibodies and not casein or anything else I figured it was ok even though I had reactions. I didnt think it would prevent healing.

I think I'll be surprised if they find anything in the CT because I dont think my liver is diseased....just overloaded....but if I dont fix it soon...it may lead to something worse.

[jenvan]

Sorry to hear your levels haven’t returned to normal. You poor thing--you've got your share! The things I’ve seen on prolonged enzyme issues are autoimmune hepatitis or otherwise, gallbladder, certain herbs and medicines, fatty liver (can’t imagine you having that! It is mostly in overweight folks with high cholesterol/triglycerides...) It seems like you are still ‘sorting things out…’ Maybe you will need more time. Mine returned to normal after 6 mos. Had them cked at 1 year also and still normal, save for one that is now low. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you... I'll let the docs figure out this one Don't worry! A lot of liver issues can be improved and even reversed...if thats even what it comes down too...

[dtravis]

I saw a new GI last week. He did some bloodwork and ran the Celiac panel even though I've already been on the diet 1 year. Maybe he thought I wasnt really gluten-free? Anyway, they called today today and said the bloodwork was negative but I have elevated liver enzymes. I'm scheduled for an upper CT scan tomorrow...I already had this test last year and it was normal except they said my liver was a little "fatty". All my previous bloodwork was normal (I've had lots).

What can be cauing this? I've been gluten-free for a year and was still having problems. I eliminated casein last week. I've had fluid retention for 3 years now.

My blood protein ALB always comes back a little high but was told this is not significant...its only a problem if its low. I had low iron once and other than that everythings been normal. I'm worried about this but I dont know if I need to be.

Also, I havent had any alcohol in over a year and wasnt "big" on drinking before that.

[dtravis]

I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Celiac - for at least 5 years prior to that I too had elevated liver enzymes - they tend to go up and down. My dr. does monthly blood work to watch all levels. Again my liver enzymes were high just recently along with my Sed rate. I take tylenol often for the joint pain - I do think that it is related to elevated liver enzymes. I have some concerns about thyroid - i have been on synthroid for several years and have still gained 20-30 pounds. After diagnosis I lost 14 pounds and was feeling pretty good... then went in reverse. My thyroid is low even on the synthroid - i have every symptom of underactive thyroid but my dr says you are on synthroid and there is nothing else we can do? Any suggestions??? I have a 15 year old daughter who recently was diagnosed and has alot of abdominal pain and they did a ct scan and said she has an swollen kidney? I am not sure if that is related to the celiac or if we have another issue on our hands... any imput would be helpful.

[Rachel--24]

Jenvan,

Thanks, I'm not going to stress on it. I think my body's just going through alot right now. I've been in a highly "reactive" state for 3 months now from casein intolerance so hopefully things will start improving now.

Everything I read about fatty liver has to do with people who are overweight and I'm underweight so I'm confused on that. Maybe it was just some flukey thing.

I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Celiac - for at least 5 years prior to that I too had elevated liver enzymes - they tend to go up and down. My dr. does monthly blood work to watch all levels. Again my liver enzymes were high just recently along with my Sed rate. I take tylenol often for the joint pain - I do think that it is related to elevated liver enzymes. I have some concerns about thyroid - i have been on synthroid for several years and have still gained 20-30 pounds. After diagnosis I lost 14 pounds and was feeling pretty good... then went in reverse. My thyroid is low even on the synthroid - i have every symptom of underactive thyroid but my dr says you are on synthroid and there is nothing else we can do? Any suggestions??? I have a 15 year old daughter who recently was diagnosed and has alot of abdominal pain and they did a ct scan and said she has an swollen kidney? I am not sure if that is related to the celiac or if we have another issue on our hands... any imput would be helpful.

Are you sure your symptoms are related to thyroid? When I was sick (pre-gluten-free) all my symptoms seemed thyroid related but no matter how much I played with my thyroid doses or changed brands nothing happened. It got better when I went off gluten but now some symptoms have returned due to other food intolerances. I had all the "classic" hypo symptoms (except weight gain) and I kept increasing the meds until I went WAY hyper but was still freezing, dry skin and hair, etc..

Also, maybe Synthroid isnt the right med for you? I take Armour (its got both T4 and T3 in it).

[Jenn2005]

Hi Rachel. My husband had bloodwork done at his last routine doctor's appt. and they called back and said that everything was good but his liver enzymes were elevated. The doctor was pretty worried and wanted to have him come back in 6 weeks to recheck and see what other test he would order. I posted on here about it like you did and it seems to be a fairly common thing with Celiac. By the time we went back to the doctor 6 weeks later the doctor (GP) had done a lot of researching on Celiac and he said it was very common. He said that since he had just had the other liver test (hepatitis, abdominal u/s & abdominal ct) done and everything was normal we would just keep rechecking and keep an eye on it. He said it was very normal to have elevated liver enzymes when you have Celiac and it has very recently become one of the more notable symptoms. I wouldn't worry to much now, I think you have plenty of other things going on and just ride this out and hopefully it will resolve itself soon. At least all of your other bloodtest were normal thats a good sign. Hope you get good results on your CT.

Jennifer

[Rachel--24]

Thanks for your post Jennifer.

It was very reassureing.

[Judyin Philly]

Rachel,

I wonder what had happen to you...I hadn't seen you posting and was hoping all was well. We got back from CA and then haven't kept up on what's been happening with you.

I 'm going to forward this thread to a friend in Az who has these elevavated liver enxymes too...

Let me know how you are doing BESIDES this new thing...you need a break..kido.

Judy in Philly

[Rachel--24]

Well...all went well with my CT today.

They called me with the results and said everything was "unremarkable". Nothing about a fatty liver this time. Maybe the diet helped it? The last CT was before going gluten-free.

They did say I had an enlarged or prominant ovary but didnt sound like it was anything to worry about. Guess I'll wait to see what the doc says...I have a colonoscopy to go to next week. Fun stuff.

[jenvan]

Glad the CT came back ok. Good luck with the colonscopy. I had one quite a few years ago and was no biggie. I have 3 good friends who have had one too and we were talking about making t-shirts for ourselves that said "Probe this!" Gross, but funny

[Nancym]

They did say I had an enlarged or prominant ovary but didnt sound like it was anything to worry about. Guess I'll wait to see what the doc says...I have a colonoscopy to go to next week. Fun stuff.

Hey, me too! But it is the week after. REally looking forward to that clean-out... *sigh*

[Rachel--24]

I have 3 good friends who have had one too and we were talking about making t-shirts for ourselves that said "Probe this!" Gross, but funny

Thats funny

Hey, me too! But it is the week after. REally looking forward to that clean-out... *sigh*

Yeah Nancy, I'm needing that too. Ever since I ate a bunch of dairy a few weeks ago I got really messed up. I was constipated for 2 weeks and still not normal yet. My intestines are really messed up...usually I dont experience too much GI symptoms but now I'm having alot of it. I now know what people are talking about when they say it feels like glass is in your stomach.

Also I got so messed up I stopped being able to digest meat...now I'm only doing fruits and veggies till things get better. The nurse told me that they saw alot of impacted stool in the CT results. I guess that would be from all the constipation I've been dealing with. I wasnt having this problem before I ate all the dairy.