what was it? I thought you said 149...

What did doc say about yellow eyes after test results?

er sorry newbie i got nothing

its just a blur of numbers and figures but fear not next the next time i go to the docs i will take a pen and pare to get the answers we seek :headbange:headbange

you should have asked him/her to give you a print-out... that's what I did. So, your ALT serum is too high? But of how much? Ah, sorry, you don't know that... but what did he/she say about it generally?

i did not get a chance to see the doc i got fobbed off with the blood nurse ,she was unable to give me a print out but did say i lost weight and looked better than last time she saw me and said my eyes were better than last time but would not say anything else i have to see the doc to get the answers i seek :headbange:headbange

ah, I see... bloody NHS!

From medline:

--What does an elevated serum ALT reflect?
The ALT is manufactured within liver cells. Elevations in the serum ALT reflect alterations in the structure and function of the liver. Damaged liver cells release ALT into the blood stream where it can then be measured. The serum ALT, therefore, reflects damage to liver cells, liver injury, and underlying liver disease.

--Why should I know my serum ALT?
We should all be aware of our health. Unfortunately, unlike diseases affecting other organs, injury to the liver can be silent. Patients may not have any symptoms and the ALT can be elevated for years before one is aware of an underlying liver disease. When one develops symptoms from liver disease, it usually reflects advanced damage to the liver. Once significant damage to the liver has occurred, therapies other than liver transplantation, may not be very beneficial. Therefore, making the diagnosis of a liver disease early in its course can be very beneficial in regards to receiving specific therapies and modifying lifestyle.

--My doctor also measures other blood tests. What are they and is the serum ALT the best test?
The liver is a complex organ with a variety of essential functions for the body.
It participates in metabolism, produces bile, and generates proteins secreted into the blood, so your doctor may measure compounds associated with all of these liver functions. All of those tests are frequently measured in a battery of tests referred to as a “liver panel.” Depending upon the type and nature of the underlying liver injury and therefore the liver disease, changes in the magnitude of the various components of this panel provide meaningful information to your physician. However, if one simply wants to know whether one has liver wellness or may have an underlying liver disease, the ALT is likely the most sensitive test for the vast majority of liver illness.

--Is there a direct correlation between the magnitude of the serum ALT elevation and the severity of the underlying liver disease?
Although there can be a relationship between the magnitude of elevation in the serum ALT and the severity of the abnormalities in liver structure and function, this relationship is not absolute. Patients with advanced scarring of the liver may have significant liver dysfunction despite only mild elevations of the serum ALT. Therefore, any elevation of the serum ALT should be taken seriously and one should seek appropriate medical care to determine the cause.

--What are some common causes of an elevated serum ALT?
Perhaps the most common cause in the North American population is fat accumulation within liver cells. Fat can accumulate anywhere in the body, but its accumulation in the liver cells is toxic to the liver. In particular, patients who are above their ideal body weight, have diabetes, or elevations in their blood lipids, may be at risk for having fat within the liver. The serum ALT is a common approach to determine whether one may have fat in the liver and if it is injurious to this organ. Other common causes of an elevated serum ALT include excessive consumption of alcohol, infection by chronic hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis B and C, toxicity from pharmaceutical medications, a genetic liver disease associated with an excess accumulation of iron in the liver, and autoimmune liver diseases. The latter are a variety of liver diseases in which the body’s immune system inflicts damage on ones own organ.

great post thanks :c033:

"Once significant damage to the liver has occurred, therapies other than liver transplantation, may not be very beneficial. "

Just thought I would offer some personal experience on this statement. I know everyone is different, but my Mom was told only 5% of her liver was still good 5 years ago. She quit drinking and has been doing great ever since - all liver function tests have been normal. The only thing her doctor told her was that she may have an increased risk for liver cancer and she had frequent tests for that the first few years. Her doctor now feels she no longer is at increased risk for liver cancer and has discontinued the routine testing for that.

c

PS - Jim, your "contraception" comment is hilarious!!!

thanks for the good news ,and congrats on your good news about your mom

if you read a few of my posts you will see the siggy is not really a joke :c032:

just kidding

Glad you're kidding - 33 years is a LONG time!!!

c

update 44 days sober now the old eyes are getting whiter :c031:

not earth shattering news i know but maybe some one out there is worried about yellow eyes and this post might mean a lot to them :c031:

Nice thread....whiter eyes....another thing to look forward to!

Thanks Jim for this thread with yet more information about the harm alcohol does to our bodies.
I often come to read the posts on this forum when I'm struggling against the "desire" to drink again-this is the sort of post that reminds me that and why it's not worth picking up that first drink. Thanks Jim

PS. I like your humour too!

I'm with JJB - Jim's sense of humour is a fine thing.

Good on ya, Jim - may you and your peepers keep on, keepin' on. :You_Rock_

Well, it means a lot to me. :) I know your post is from 3 years ago, but I wanted you to know that it encouraged me. :D