Mentally I knew I had a problem...Physcially I didn't...until now. GGT results

Hi everyone,

Posting on the forum for myself for the first time. A bit about me:

Mid 30's actually underweight (have been my entire life) high stress job and for about the last 5-6 years have been very inactive. More-so than usual.

So what am I experiencing? I have been feeling worse and worse the past few years in terms of energy. I am constantly tired but never made much of it since I have always struggled to feel energy. I blamed everything from sinus problems to just being a "weakly" kid and finally in my later years blamed my lack of energy and pains as a sign of getting older and having a high stress job.

However, over the last few years I have really turned to drinking to cope with things (I know that is not an excuse) but sadly it was my honest reality. Even knowing firsthand what it can do (have family that went through Liver Disease), I felt I would be able to control it in time.

It wasn't until I started having heart palpitations, minor random chest pains, HBP and just overall feeling terrible that I began to take a stand.

I actually applied for a life insurance policy because I felt I better do it now that I am younger and healthier...well this is when I had a reality check. I was denied the initial coverage because of my test results. Now, I am not sure exactly what this consists of but I do know that the items they pointed out for the decision was:

GGT level of 169 and Cholesterol HDL ratio of 8:1

After spending the last few hours researching a bit I can tell that especially the GGT level is due to my drinking and the Cholesterol my inactive lifestyle. The bummer of getting denied quickly faded with the real concern of WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MY LIVER???? I am scared to death that I have put my life in danger and have crossed the "no going back line" From what I can see a GGT result of 169 points to irreprable damage.

At this point I have no clue on my next steps. Obviously see a doctor, but I have no idea how bad of shape I am in. Having seen someone I love go through liver failure, I am both disappointed in myself and worried of what is coming.

I have made a commitment to try and straighten things out a bit, but I fear I may be too late. I suppose I need to take care of myself but I am curiously frightened at how much damage I have already done, and if there is any hope.

This whole GGT and Cholesterol info is new to me and hoping someone here can help shed some light as to how bad I might be.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

RA

Welcome to the forum.

This is the best day of your life...first day of a new you. Sometimes it takes a crisis to turn things around. You need to make some changes and if this works out the way it can, you could be fine.

A good blood panel as ppm buy says is a first start, then the GP appointment and then on to specialists if anything specific is going on. My partner Mike is the liver patient in our family. His doc is never especially interested in the GGT. He'd rather see the AST/ALT numbers.

Stopping drinking can bring liver numbers right down, and improve general health. I read an interesting statistic...many heavy drinkers don't get liver disease! about 16% of heavy drinkers get cirrhosis!!! It is sort of a genetic thing...luck of the draw sort of. Maybe those same folks can't even moderately drink because it will make them sick.

Folks with liver disease can also have problems with their gall bladder and kidneys. Is there any chance you could have Hep B or C? You should be tested for those...easy to get in a variety of ways.

Since you have general weakness and some depression it would be good to look at everything...maybe do some counseling sessions, check cancer markers, set up a good diet, get some exercise...live your life.
Hugs,

MamaLama

With the blood test results you have, it is absolutely necessary to do further testing.

very happy to see, youre seeing a cardiologist. Heart disease needs to be evaluated 1st.

Your pcp also needs to followup with your GGT results. In my opinion, if your dr hesitates, you may want to find another dr..

Reading your post, reminds me of my own struggles with alcohol, drugs, and mental illness.. I also did well in the business world. I impressed people at work, then went home, and pounded a 12 pak..
I quit drinking at 42, and have been clean for 25 years. im 67 now. I did end up with cirrhosis, because I also had hep c, which I cleared a few years back. my mental illness became more clear, and easier to treat, after getting off alcohol.

please let us know how your tests go, or any concerns we might be able to help with.

Hi RAson,
From what you have posted, I don't think you have a serious liver problem. Serious being cirrhosis. You would have many symptoms.But just to be safe, I would hold off, on your liver cleanse. See what the cardio says. You will get your liver blood work done in the near future. Liver disease moves very slow. It took me 40 years to get there. Rather than a cleanse, I would suggest a life style change. Of course it starts with abstaining from. alcohol, and making dietary changes. Limiting foods high in cholesterol and tryglicerides.

These changes will be beneficial to your heart and liver. Try to relax, you will get your answers soon. Let me know how things are going.

Thanks guys for the advice. I hope I am not in too bad of shape. I think part of my issue is that I'm just a mess overall. Stuck in a rut that I can't get out of. It will take more than just cutting the drinking. I think my anxiety/depression causes me to lack motivation to try and change anything. I am always consumed with thoughts of failure...But that's for another board I suppose. Lol

As for my health issues, I am for once looking forward to my visit with the cardiologist. I meet with him on Monday after a 6 week wait to get an appointment. Let's see how that goes.

I also have one set up with a pcp for late next week.

I went to an ENT a month ago for a sleep study and still haven't heard back. Sometime waiting around is too much suspense and adds to the anxiety!

MamaLama,

What an encouraging post! It is so refreshing to hear your daughters story. Sounds exactly like my situation and what I want to get to. I love how you said one gets thirsty alone. Great point.

I am actually dating and in a serious relationship, albeit we are not living together so much of my issues are "flying under the radar" I often said maybe if I married it would help, then the other side says....get your stuff together (I almost wrote a bad word too) before making a commitment. She has really been patient with me.

Thanks again for all of those recommendations! I actually will look into many of those. These are things I always knew were around just never really put it down on paper to start looking into. Especially volunteering and political groups.