Slightly raised Bilirubin count

[Guest guest]

I'm 15 months post transplant and I just got back my latest blood test results. According to the coordinator everything was fine but there was a slight increase in my bilirubin count. I went from my usual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all my other liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lower range of normal (unfortunately I forgot to ask exactly what they were). Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet. Pat (CA) __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

If all the tests bumped up at the same time, it would be very

concerning. An isolated biliruben rise could be related to hydration,

hemoglobin turnover, medication changes or Gilbert's syndrome and

would be less concerning.

My transplant nurse coordinators are angels that watch out for me and

would entertain any question that concerned me. They would run

anything that concerned me by one of the doctors and call me back.

On the next blood tests you will know if this is a blip or a trend.

Wish you the best

Von

>

> I'm 15 months post transplant and I just got back my latest blood

test results. According to the coordinator everything was fine but

there was a slight increase in my bilirubin count. I went from my

usual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all my

other liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lower

range of normal (unfortunately I forgot to ask exactly what they were).

>

> Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What

does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my

coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet.

>

> Pat (CA)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

In Nov my son had a checkup and his bili bumped. They said that as long as the other numbers weren't climbing it was not rejection. They thought it may be narrowing which would require a rotoruter job but we still have not heard anything as they have repeated the lab 4 times. Martipat jones wrote: I'm 15 months post transplant and I just got back my latest blood test results. According to the coordinator everything was fine but there was a slight increase in my bilirubin

count. I went from my usual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all my other liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lower range of normal (unfortunately I forgot to ask exactly what they were). Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet. Pat (CA) __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I had surgery on my foot and was taking additional medication at the time. I was also very bad about drinking enough water during that time when I really shoud have been drinking more because of the antibiotic I was on. By the way what is Gilbert's syndrome? Pat (CA)jumputah wrote: If all the tests bumped up at the same time, it would be veryconcerning. An isolated biliruben rise could be related to

hydration,hemoglobin turnover, medication changes or Gilbert's syndrome andwould be less concerning. My transplant nurse coordinators are angels that watch out for me andwould entertain any question that concerned me. They would runanything that concerned me by one of the doctors and call me back. On the next blood tests you will know if this is a blip or a trend.Wish you the bestVon>> I'm 15 months post transplant and I just got back my latest bloodtest results. According to the coordinator everything was fine butthere was a slight increase in my bilirubin count. I went from myusual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all myother liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lowerrange of normal (unfortunately I forgot to

ask exactly what they were).> > Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? Whatdoes it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that mycoordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet.> > Pat (CA) > > __________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

Marti, Thanks for the information. I'm happy to know that it probably doesn't mean rejection but it does scare me that it might mean a narrowing is occuring. Could this mean the PSC is back. I sure hope not. I was hoping for a while of no worries. I'm not sure if I should be worried or a little bit incouraged considering that my coordinate said I didn't need to worry about another blood test until I come in for my nex check-up in 2 months. I just need to watch myself and let her know if I see any signs of jaundice. Pat (CA)Marti wrote: In Nov my son had a checkup and his bili bumped. They said that as long as the other numbers weren't climbing it was not rejection. They thought it may be narrowing which would require a rotoruter job but we still have not heard anything as they have repeated the lab 4 times. Martipat jones <pej_jones (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I'm 15 months post transplant and I just got back my latest blood test results. According to the coordinator everything was fine but there was a slight increase in my bilirubin count. I went from my usual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all my other liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lower range of normal (unfortunately I forgot

to ask exactly what they were). Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet. Pat (CA) __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Pat,

I wouldn't worry about it being up. All mine went up not long after

my second transplant, they were taking me off the prednisone at the

time. They increased my prednisone and everything went back to normal.

They also had concerns about my kindneys this past summer. I was

really hot the day before my test and I was outside doing some work and

I didn't hydrate myself. It has been fine since.It was just a blip

caused by something else. The fact that your other liver labs were

fine, I would worry too much. Normal people have these blips also,

they just do get there blood tested as often. Even if it is rejection,

they only need to adjust your meds to take care of the problem.

PSC 89, Tx1 97, Tx2 04

> Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What

does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my

coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet.

>

> Pat (CA)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Pat,

I wouldn't worry unless they told you to worry. My team always jumps

into action when somethings wrong, usually very quickly. My transplant

has been less than picture perfect (I'm not listed, but will

eventually need another), but I can tell you that they look for

trends, not just one little tiny bump. Even with my wacky counts, they

don't get nervous until I'm jumping whole billirubin points - not

tenths of points.

Are they planning to have you do labs again soon? I ask not because I

think you need them physically, but I'm wondering if they could put

your mind at ease...

Best wishes,

Deb in VA

PSC 1998, UC 1999, Listed Ltx 2001, LDLTX 5/19/2005, Partial Portal

Vein Thrombosis 7/20/2005, Multiple PTCs and stent

placements/replacements 9/2005-3/2006, 3 sinus surgeries 2006,

intestinal varicies 8/2006. Feeling good off of coumadin!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Actually they told me everything was OK and unless I see any signs of jaundice that I wouldn't need another blood test for 2 months. Pat (CA)Deb in VA wrote: Pat,I wouldn't worry unless they told you to worry. My team always jumps into action when somethings wrong, usually very quickly. My transplant has been less than picture perfect (I'm not listed, but will eventually need

another), but I can tell you that they look for trends, not just one little tiny bump. Even with my wacky counts, they don't get nervous until I'm jumping whole billirubin points - not tenths of points.Are they planning to have you do labs again soon? I ask not because I think you need them physically, but I'm wondering if they could put your mind at ease...Best wishes,Deb in VAPSC 1998, UC 1999, Listed Ltx 2001, LDLTX 5/19/2005, Partial Portal Vein Thrombosis 7/20/2005, Multiple PTCs and stent placements/replacements 9/2005-3/2006, 3 sinus surgeries 2006, intestinal varicies 8/2006. Feeling good off of coumadin! __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

They told us that if it is a result of narrowing it would be at the anastamosis and not a reoccurance of the PSC. Martipat jones wrote: Marti, Thanks for the information. I'm happy to know that it probably doesn't mean rejection but it does scare me that it might mean a narrowing is occuring. Could this mean the PSC is back. I sure hope not. I was hoping for a while of no worries. I'm not sure if I should be worried or a little bit incouraged

considering that my coordinate said I didn't need to worry about another blood test until I come in for my nex check-up in 2 months. I just need to watch myself and let her know if I see any signs of jaundice. Pat (CA)Marti <marti0355 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: In Nov my son had a checkup and his bili bumped. They said that as long as the other numbers weren't climbing it was not rejection. They thought it may be narrowing which would require a rotoruter job but we still have not heard anything as they have repeated the lab 4 times. Martipat jones <pej_jones (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I'm 15 months post transplant and I just

got back my latest blood test results. According to the coordinator everything was fine but there was a slight increase in my bilirubin count. I went from my usual of 1.2 to 1.5. She told me it was not a problem since all my other liver numbers are just fine. They are actually in the lower range of normal (unfortunately I forgot to ask exactly what they were). Have any of you post-transplanters had something like this? What does it mean? I'm concerned that it might be a bad sign and that my coordinator just doesn't want to say any thing yet. Pat (CA) __________________________________________________