Guest guest Posted August 31, 1999 Report Share Posted August 31, 1999 Can you all tell me if your blood levels are normal while no blockage is occuring. Even if your not on Actigall or Urso(?) I am getting so confused with my GI. (Yes I am going to get a second opinion). Please HELP I am so upset by my visit today I don't know what to hope for. Sorry to be so melodramatic, I am VERY STRESSED I went back to work today after being off all summer. I work for the school system. Thanks for your help and support. Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 1999 Report Share Posted August 31, 1999 Which blood levels are you referring to Vicki? If you mean enzymes, or bilirubin, they may indeed still be elevated if damage is occurring to the liver cells. This leads to an important point. Some people get concerned over numbers on a blood test, but it is important to know which numbers mean what. Enzymes,(ALT, AST, GGTP) while important, are not true indicators of liver function. They only indicate that damage has occurred, but not how the liver is really functioning. The ones that are of most concern are: Bilirubin (direct and total) PT, and PTT (indicators of blood clotting time, the longer, the worse) Albumin- A protein produced only in the liver. Looks for downward shifts in the numbers. These are the three " big ones " , in addition to ammonia levels, when there is evidence of hepatic encephalopothy, a.k.a. " fuzzy brain syndrome " . Creatinine is also important, as it measures kidney function, and is relevant in the overall picture. One of the most important things you can do to be an active participant in your care is to learn how to read a blood test, and get a sense of what all those numbers mean. Spiro EMT-P Organ Recovery/Placement Coordinator Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network Liver Transplant - 8/1/97 RECYCLE YOURSELF! BE AN ORGAN DONOR! " I'm not in the business. I am the business " > Normal Blood levels > > > Can you all tell me if your blood levels are normal while no blockage > is occuring. Even if your not on Actigall or Urso(?) I am getting so > confused with my GI. (Yes I am going to get a second opinion). Please > HELP I am so upset by my visit today I don't know what to hope for. > Sorry to be so melodramatic, I am VERY STRESSED I went back to work > today after being off all summer. I work for the school system. Thanks > for your help and support. > Vicki > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > eGroups.com home: /group/ > - Simplifying group communications > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 1999 Report Share Posted August 31, 1999 Vicki, I would urge you to take it easy. PSC is a very long term disease and as long as you are not in the midst of some of the crises that occur - fevers, acute pain, vomiting blood to name a few that should get your immediate attention, you can plan your life and treatment to anticipate what you shoud do when and if these crises occur. People live with high LFTs for years. Mine were determined elevated in 1980, and except for two acute episodes had little impact until the mid 90's, leading to a transplant in April 98. Others have lived with PSC for longer periods. For some the symptoms are constant, others are asymtomatic except for a slight yellowing of the eyes. Eventually however, unless some treatment is developed, the damage that PSC causes will destroy your liver. At that point the only treatment available is a liver transplant. Because Ulcerative Colitis is highly correlated with PSC you should be monitored for that also (about 3 of 4 PSC patients have UC). There are many here that can give better advice than I about UC. Overall I would suggest you listen to your body, pay attention to its symptoms and changes. Rest when you are fatigued. Question your doctors when you don't understand (bring a written list and check it off when you're satisfied, have someone along to provide another set of ears and help with questions). You're off to a good start here, but this list isn't the only game in town. Use all the resources you can handle. Best regards, Tim --- sleepy5916@... wrote: > Can you all tell me if your blood levels are normal while no > blockage > is occuring. Even if your not on Actigall or Urso(?) I am > getting so > confused with my GI. (Yes I am going to get a second opinion). > Please > HELP I am so upset by my visit today I don't know what to hope > for. > Sorry to be so melodramatic, I am VERY STRESSED I went back to > work > today after being off all summer. I work for the school > system. Thanks > for your help and support. > Vicki > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > eGroups.com home: /group/ > - Simplifying group communications > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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