blood work
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 111
blood work
Dec. a year ago I went to the doctor for vertigo. Turns out the vertigo was just an ear issue. However I had full blood work done and the doctor informed me my liver enzymes were elevated among other things. I remember specifically her saying "you'll probably get by with the amount your drinking for another 6 months, after that you could be in serious trouble if you keep it up." Liver enzyme levels at that time:
GGT- 115
ALT- 51
AST- 36
Triglycerides- 152
So I kept drinking until May. I'm very thankful I was able to stop on May 7. Last week I went in for a yearly follow up. New results:
GGT- 27
ALT- 15
AST- 16
Triglycerides- 89
It's nice to see concrete results from abstaining. I took my health for granted while drinking, and really pushed my body to the limit at the end. I know in my heart I was very close to alcoholic hepatitis, or maybe my kidneys shutting down. I used to fear the day I'd see my eyes turn yellow. I threw up almost every morning and could hardly eat. My whole life I've been very active- worked hard and played hard. But the last 2 years of drinking brought me down quick. The last month before I quit I used to lay in bed unable to sleep and read the recovery stories from this website. This site gave me hope in a way nothing else could. It was stories from real people all over the world who had experienced the same thing as me.
Thank you everyone for being here! I don't post a lot but I read almost every post, every day. Staying connected to my alcoholism here is what keeps me sober. Thank you and happy holidays!
GGT- 115
ALT- 51
AST- 36
Triglycerides- 152
So I kept drinking until May. I'm very thankful I was able to stop on May 7. Last week I went in for a yearly follow up. New results:
GGT- 27
ALT- 15
AST- 16
Triglycerides- 89
It's nice to see concrete results from abstaining. I took my health for granted while drinking, and really pushed my body to the limit at the end. I know in my heart I was very close to alcoholic hepatitis, or maybe my kidneys shutting down. I used to fear the day I'd see my eyes turn yellow. I threw up almost every morning and could hardly eat. My whole life I've been very active- worked hard and played hard. But the last 2 years of drinking brought me down quick. The last month before I quit I used to lay in bed unable to sleep and read the recovery stories from this website. This site gave me hope in a way nothing else could. It was stories from real people all over the world who had experienced the same thing as me.
Thank you everyone for being here! I don't post a lot but I read almost every post, every day. Staying connected to my alcoholism here is what keeps me sober. Thank you and happy holidays!
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,219
Congrats!!! On your sober time and especially on the positive health changes!
I was a lot like you...vomited most mornings brushing my teeth (used to blame the brush for gagging me), and I too would stare into the mirror looking for signs of yellowing eyes.
Well, I am coming up on 20 months sober and I can't tell you how much I enjoy the mornings now. Love getting up early and sipping coffee in the quiet house. Yep...a much more peaceful and healthy life for sure!
I was a lot like you...vomited most mornings brushing my teeth (used to blame the brush for gagging me), and I too would stare into the mirror looking for signs of yellowing eyes.
Well, I am coming up on 20 months sober and I can't tell you how much I enjoy the mornings now. Love getting up early and sipping coffee in the quiet house. Yep...a much more peaceful and healthy life for sure!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 301
That's great news Palo - the human body's ability to heal itself is pretty astonishing. Also, your comment about "stories from real people all over the world who had experienced the same thing as me" really struck me - that is what makes this "place" amazing for me too.
...holds the key
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,065
Thank you so much for sharing this...kinda got choked up reading it.
We need each other's support and encouragement...no two ways about it.
So glad you are regaining your health! You deserve to be healthy, happy, and free!
We need each other's support and encouragement...no two ways about it.
So glad you are regaining your health! You deserve to be healthy, happy, and free!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: DFW area, Texas
Posts: 521
Great news Paloverde, it is impressive how things improve measurably when one stops drinking, and in a relatively short timeframe. 
I also have some vertigo (fading thankfully) that the doc says may be drinking related or possibly just from a messed up inner ear...all I know is that it isn't fun. :\
I also have some vertigo (fading thankfully) that the doc says may be drinking related or possibly just from a messed up inner ear...all I know is that it isn't fun. :\
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: sydney nsw
Posts: 785
Great read and good news.
I had a week long binge on vodka (usually was a vino man) as had 5 bottles in the store room. Took a week off work and I was drunk morning to night all week. 3 weeks ago my turning point came as hit rock bottom. My bloods were taken and the doctor rang me and said I am glad you are alive as my liver enzymes had sky rocketed and my kidney function was very poor. That was my moment... I went back after 2 weeks sober had my blood tests done a week ago. Have not heard back from the doctor so assume all must be good. Seeing him next week. Yes alcohol is a poison for me and it has caused enough s$#@t to my body, cant wait to see my blood test numbers also getting healthier.
I had a week long binge on vodka (usually was a vino man) as had 5 bottles in the store room. Took a week off work and I was drunk morning to night all week. 3 weeks ago my turning point came as hit rock bottom. My bloods were taken and the doctor rang me and said I am glad you are alive as my liver enzymes had sky rocketed and my kidney function was very poor. That was my moment... I went back after 2 weeks sober had my blood tests done a week ago. Have not heard back from the doctor so assume all must be good. Seeing him next week. Yes alcohol is a poison for me and it has caused enough s$#@t to my body, cant wait to see my blood test numbers also getting healthier.
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