Guest guest Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hello All, I am pretty new here and was hoping someone can give me a little insight to my symptoms and my MRCP test. I went to the doctor in the beginning of January because I had fever like symptoms, then became jaundice 3 days later and I also had severe pain right under my ribs. After a few weeks of blood test I was sent for an ultrasound (came back OK) and then a week later I went for a MRCP. The results of the MRCP, which I just recieved a copy of last week, stated that my CBD has a somewhat irregular contour. My blood test at the time came back as the following: bilirubin total 13.4 Alkaline phosphatase 173 AST 73 ALT 136 antinuclear antibodies direct 201 After another 2 weeks of no changes to my blood work, no sleep, fatigue and of itching he put me on prednisone and said I had autoimmune hepatiis (he never told me that on the MRCP that it said that PSC could be a possibility). When I decided to get a second opinion at Columbia Pres in NYC my doctor there said I probably have a disease of the bile ducts. He said he would get back to me but I still haven't heard from him in over a week even though I left a few messages for him. Since I have been on the prednisone my blood work is the following: bilirubin total 2.4 Alkaline phosphatase 135 AST 81 ALT 256 One important thing I left out is that in 1993 I had UC. If anyone knows of any good doctors in Northern NJ or can give me any advice I would greatly appreciate. THanks and Happy St. s Day, Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 The way I understand it is that there is a criteria for diagnosing AIH, ANA is one of those, but response to prednisone is a key one. If your AST and ALT are going up after taking prednisone, I was told that indicates no AIH and you should come off the meds. Definitely get a second opinion. I had a similar course since my initial round of diagnostic blood tests found ANA. They put me on prednisone until my MRCP, which showed features consistent with PSC. Bilirubin and LFT's can fluctuate with PSC, which confused me since I thought I was responding to Prednisone since my LFT's went down right away, but since being off the meds they have not gone back up, and its been 6 months now. My hepatologist looked at my liver biopsy slides and said he saw no signs of AIH inflammation, so it was ruled out. Your doctor may order a liver biopsy as well. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 The way I understand it is that there is a criteria for diagnosing AIH, ANA is one of those, but response to prednisone is a key one. If your AST and ALT are going up after taking prednisone, I was told that indicates no AIH and you should come off the meds. Definitely get a second opinion. I had a similar course since my initial round of diagnostic blood tests found ANA. They put me on prednisone until my MRCP, which showed features consistent with PSC. Bilirubin and LFT's can fluctuate with PSC, which confused me since I thought I was responding to Prednisone since my LFT's went down right away, but since being off the meds they have not gone back up, and its been 6 months now. My hepatologist looked at my liver biopsy slides and said he saw no signs of AIH inflammation, so it was ruled out. Your doctor may order a liver biopsy as well. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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