Blood Test Results - Letter Through The Post.

[reddevil]

Hello all,

I recently was having problems down below with wind and mushy stools etc and my doctor said it is most properly anxiety or IBS and he will do some blood tests etc.

I did the blood tests last week and felt better in myself and did not phone up for the results as I thought I would see my doctor next week etc.

This morning a letter arrived and it sayd:

"We have now received the results of your recent blood test and we find we need to repeat your liver function test in one month time".

Why do they need me to repeat it, is something wrong etc?

Red

[Mondie]

Hi Red,
Quick question, are you on any medication?
The reason I ask is, that my liver function results have been 'out' a few times because of tablets I've been taking. I had to not take tablets for a few weeks then get retested.
M x

[reddevil]

Hi,

I'm on amitriptyline 80mg.

I'm starting to worry that these medications have damaged my liver and I might stop taking them.

Red

[Mondie]

I didn't mean that my tablets were damaging my liver; just that they were making me show a false reading on my blood test results.

The liver is a wonderful organ, that takes A LOT of abuse and can repair itself quite easily. I doubt you are damaging it taking your tablets.

I wouldn't stop takig your tablets without taking to your doctor first; why don't you make an appointment to discuss the letter?

[reddevil]

Mondie,

Thank you for your reply, I undertand what your saying now.

I will try and get an appointment to see my Doctor next week etc.

Just when I started to feel better, bang come this letter and off I go again.

Red

[Mondie]

I know the feeling well mate!

[nomorepanic]

Obviously alcohol will effect liver tests as well.

I don't know if you drink or not but if you had a drink the day before the blood tests then some of the readings may have been raised.

[reddevil]

Hi,

I was thinking that but I'm sure I did not drink the night before.

I was also thinking if my medication has caused it but my last blood test months back was normal, which I was on a lower dose, confused..!

Do you think higher dose could cause it or could it mean my liver is faulty?

Red

[countrygirl]

Liver function tests can be off for all sorts of reasons - often no reason at all can be found! my friend had his first liver function test and one of the readings was high - he was teetotal so they suspected gallstones or something so he had to go for ultrasound - nothing was ever found. He had it tested again month later and same thing high reading.this went on everymonth for 6 months and then all of a sudden his readings went back to normal. He felt fine all the time - this was about 5 yrs ago and he is still fit and well?????

Because liver tests often are high they recommend waiting a month and not drinking at all if possible in that time.

No doubt your Dr can explain much better than me

[PIGGY]

LFT'S CAN VARY! one of mine was slightly higher but he just said it was probably fatty tissue - i googled it and it is true- if you are late 30's early 40's and slightly overweight, you can have raised lft results. i had a scan and it showed up as fatty tissue so nothing to worry about.

meds can certainly alter the results as can drinking, so make your doc knows this!
good luck! x