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MELD post transplant

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Posted 5/23/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know why one would still have a MELD of 11 post transplant? Would this just be the effects of hep C? With my latest labs from yesterday, I just calculated my MELD for the heck of it. And 11 is what came up, even though the numbers used to calculate it weren't too far out of range; i.e., bili 1.7 (normal 0.1-1.1), creatinine 1.2 (normal 0.6-1.1), and INR of 1.1 (normal 0.8-1.1.)

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 5/23/2012 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,

Don't you think it must be the bilirubin.  I guess it must carry a lot of weight on the score.  I think I had read that a transplanted liver will be affected by the hep C faster than the original liver.  Would changing your diet at all help with the bilirubin?

Georgia.

Posted 5/23/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Also,

Maybe if you put in some other numbers, for instance, for the bilirubin that are lower than yours you would be able to determine how much weight it is given in calculating the MELD.

Georgia.

Posted 5/23/2012 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Connie,

I wouldn't worry about bili until it goes over 2.  That's when my hepatologist even considers it high now.  For one, he thinks I may have Gilbert's so it depends on conjugated vs unconjugated.  For 2, having a liver disorder can change your normal.

Also, a few years ago, he thought my azathioprine was causing cholestasis.  Since I didn't want to risk a flare, I refused to lower my dose but asked him if going on Ursodiol would help and it did...thinned my bile enough to lower my bili....maybe that's something you can ask about?  I know it's another drug shocked but...

I don't know about post transplant MELD but since many people with low lying liver issues can have low MELDs, I would assume it's possible that due to the fact that you have a liver disease and have had the trauma of a transplant that it would seem possible...

Posted 5/23/2012 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure it's the bili level that affected the score. I really didn't even think about hep C being the culprit. I know if there were real concern, my transplant coordinator would contact me. Dany, the last thing I want is another drug. However, if it got to the point where I needed it, of course I would take it.

My platelets were high, so they placed me on aspirin to lower them. Which was working. But then, due to the leg wound, they took me off of it as it was thought aspirin would affect healing negatively. As with the bili, if platelets get too high, I'll be notified to start taking aspirin again.

Thanks, everyone, for your input.

Hugs,
Connie
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