Liver enzyme test info from a pro

[DuckCommander]

When I say a pro, I don't mean Professional athlete, I mean a pro who has a liver disease and has had more blood tests done than you've had hot lunches.

Hi, I'm Duck Commander (DC for short) and I have Hepatitis C. I've had it for almost thirty years. I am under the care of a hepatologist and get my blood tested every six months. So when it comes to liver enzyme questions, I think I’ve got a smidge of experience.

Let me answer some of the more common questions regarding elevated liver enzymes and liver damage.

1. Yes, a strenuous workout prior to having your blood tested will probably result in slightly elevated values. Because of the way we train, we tend to stress our bodies and cause microscopic damage to our muscles. I always wait two days prior to having my blood taken (I’ll go on a Monday morning to have my blood drawn after not training during the weekend). This has been confirmed by my hepatologist.

2. If you have an injury or muscle tear, this can also raise your values (for the same reasons listed above).

3. For the love of god, stay away from Tylenol (acetaminophen). Just read the label and you'll see what I mean.

4. High levels of NSAIDS taken consistently over a few days can also raise your enzyme levels.

5. If you suspect your liver has been damaged, the extent of the damage cannot be determined by a blood test. Let me repeat that; the extent or even the presence of liver damage cannot be determined by a blood test. You have to get a biopsy. It's easy - I get one every five years.

6. If your enzymes remain elevated and you have reason to believe you have been exposed to Hep B or C, you have to ask to be tested. They will usually test you for HIV also.

7. The disease is spread by blood to blood contact, so manage your sharps appropriately.

8. The disease is rarey spread via sex. Remember - blood to blood. I've been married 25 years and have not infected my husband.

9. The liver is a remarkable organ, responsible for thousands of processes in the body. If not infected or damaged, your liver will recover from most chemical onslaughts...except alcoholism. Alcohol is very, very, very bad for any one with a stressed liver. If you're worried about your liver, stop drinking, period. I don't drink, period.

10. To quantify this post; here are my numbers from my last blood test in May 09. While reading this, keep in mind that I have been doing low levels of 4-AD (transdermal), for the last 5 years to maintain my lean body tissue. I don't cycle it:

Results...............................Normal Range

Protein, Total 7.2 ...............6.0-8.4 g/dL
Albumin 4.5........................3.5-5.0 g/dL
Calcium 8.6.......................8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Bilirubin, Total 0.9...............0.0-1.5 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase 64.........40-150 U/L
AST 48..............................7-40 U/L Flagged as High
Glucose 88.........................65-100 mg/dL
BUN 20..............................8-25 mg/dL
Creatinine 1.1.....................0.7-1.4 mg/dL
Sodium 138........................132-148 mmol/L
Potassium 5.1.....................3.5-5.0 mmol/L Flagged as High
Chloride 104.......................98-110 mmol/L
CO2 25..............................23-32 mmol/L
Anion Gap 9........................0-15 mmol/L
ALT 62................................0-45 U/L Flagged as High

My viral load is 1,010,00 IU/ml.

I am a 54yr old female. My hepatologist says I'm doing great and am still stage one (there are four stages; cirrhosis being stage 4). I can wait for a cure.

So, the next time you get your liver enzymes tested, feel free to come back here and check your numbers against some one who really does have liver issues.

By the way, don't think you'd know it, if you have hepC. It is the most common undiagnosed infectious disease - 70% of those infected don't know it. Only the acute form has obvious symptoms (yellow eyes, orange urine, lack of appetite, itchy skin, etc - I went through that in 1981 when they did not know HepC existed).

DC