Diagnosed with PSC seven years ago--numbers then and now--help me understand?

[Guest guest]

I am a 36 year old male. I had UC and had j-pouch surgery in 1994.

I was diagnosed with PSC (stage 2) seven years ago with a liver biopsy

(I have had two MRCP's but never an ERCP).

My numbers seven years ago (November 2000) were:

Alk Phos 233 (scale 30-115)

AST 48 (scale 0-41)

Alt 62 (scale 0-45)

GGT 139 (scale 2-65)

Between then and now, my Alk Phos numbers have fluctuated between 151

(low in 2005) and 265 (high in 2006). We were not measuring GGT from

what I can tell on the labs.

As of last week --August 23, 2007 -- my numbers were (including GGT and

total bilirubin):

Alk Phos: 225 (scale 40-115)

AST 89 (scale 10-40)

Alt 142 (scale 9-60)

GGT 284 (scale 3-90)

Total Bilirubin 0.5 (scale 0.2-1.2)

Note--I have not been on Urso for the last year (but I am getting back

on it today).

So, here are my questions:

1) The GGT has gone up quite a bit in seven years. What does this

mean? What is considered a truly HIGH GGT in PSC patients.

2) I was always told that Alk Phos was the best indicator for disease

progression in PSC. This number is actually lower today than it was

seven years ago, even without having been on Urso for a year. What

does this mean? Why the disparity between Alk Phos increase and GGT

increase?

3) What are Alk Phos numbers when someone is suffering from severe

PSC? What is considered truly " high " ?

4) I have had two MRCP's and a CT of abdomen with contrast and the

picture seems unclear. If you have thoughts, please let me know.

The first MRCP showed

" Mild narrowing of the common bile duct relative to the common hepatic

duct. The common hepatic duct measures 1 cm in diameter while the

common bile duct is diffusely narrowed to approximately 5mm. A beaded

appearance compatible with PSC is NOT identified in the intrahepatic

segments. "

The second MRCP showed -- in 2005 -- showed " no obvious dilation of the

biliary tree--common and pancreatic ducts are unremarkable.

A CT of abdomen in late 2006 showed " Mild dilation segmental ducts

inferior anterior right lobe of liver which could reflect sequelae of

patient's provided clinical history of PSC. "

For those who read through this, thank you kindly for your time. Any

thoughts on my current picture of disease?