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ALT=187 and Ultra-scan and Liver Biopsy came back normal, Intense Body Itching

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Posted 12/20/2012 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I noticed my palm was always itching me 3 months ago. With further observation i noticed it was more a day after taking alcohol. I was scared for my liver so, 3 weeks ago, i did a blood screening. It came back with hepatitis A, B, C negative but 187 ALT. I was further referred to do ultra-scan which showed the liver is normal. 2 weeks ago, i did live biopsy and it came totally normal again. My liver seems to be OK, said the doctor, but the itching at night has increased. I have stopped alcohol for over 1 month now. I take an allergy drug, or piriton and prednisolone, and the itching stops. the itching areas are my face, back, chest arm, thighs and buttocks.

WHAT CAN REALLY BE WRONG?

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 12/21/2012 11:26:15 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/20/2012 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Htairu,

Thanks for posting on the Hepatitis Healing Well Forum.

Well, I'm not a doctor, but I help moderate this site and there are many with liver disease, even early stages, that complain of itching.

My partner, Mike, has had Hep C since the late 60s and was plagued by itching. His Hepatologist said it was something the matter with his bile salts and recommended cholestyramine. It is a powder that he stirred in juice or water and drank after meals for 8 years! After transplant it went away and the cholestyramine was not necessary.

There are plenty of liver diseases that are not easily diagnosed...but keep looking.

My advice, by the way, given the higher ALT is to avoid all alcohol, even mouthwash with alcohol, and to limit NSAIDs....they can be a culprit also. Eat a healthy, low fat diet (Non alcoholic fatty liver can be a cause of problems also), low in sodium. Red meats are hardest for the liver to digest, so Mike cut those down and then OUT.

Good luck. I'd keep up trying to find out what this could be.

There are bunch of good sites to check out at the top of this forum in the Resources folder.

Mama Lama
Posted 12/20/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hello htairu,

I would recommend asking your doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist.  There are many autoimmune disorders that can cause liver issues and if nothing was found on your scan or biopsy, I'd think maybe it isn't a liver issue but something that is affecting it indirectly.  I'd also ask for some of the antibody tests for the autoimmune liver disorders (AIH, PBS, PSC)...the tests are ASMA, AMA, LKM-1, SLA...ANA is the first that anyone looking for any autoimmune disorder will run.  A rheumatologist can screen for all the other autoimmune disorders as well as the liver ones.

Do you have other symptoms?  Aches, swelling, rashes?

Carol gave you some good things to avoid and I would add avoiding any over the counter medications.  When will you be having a follow up blood test to monitor your ALT?

Posted 12/20/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Htairu! I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. I agree with both Carol's and Dany's posts to you.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 12/21/2012 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for the help.

@Carol, I have stopped alcohol consumptions totally for weeks now but the itching is more on the skin than palm. I have a big PCV level.... 49 already, so i watch what i eat a lot. i want the itching to stop at least but i don't want to be stuck on medications.

@ dany: after hrs of scratching.... they then look like rashes on my chest and back but in the morning, they are all gone.

I am looking at seeing a dermatologist as well as doing a micro felleria test.

Furtheer information will help.

Thank you guys,

Hammed
Posted 12/21/2012 5:44 PM (GMT 0)

htairu,

I'd speak with your doctor about the possibility of Lyme disease and also have an allergy test.  There are creams (and prescription medication) for itchy skin.  You don't want to scratch it as you could cause infections.  I've been getting a strange painful/itchy rash that only occurs on my eye lids.  I went to the dermatologist and they gave me Protopic ointment.  It helps almost instantly.  They said it looks allergic in nature and I think I've sorted it out to the gloves I wear at work but it doesn't happen on my hands at all...I notice it on the days I happen to scratch my eye with the back of a knuckle.  Could be that my eye lids are just more sensitive...I do take allergy meds everyday but clearly, this ointment works for the contact issue. 

So maybe that's partly what's going on with you?

Posted 12/22/2012 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,

How do I access the Part 2 of my origional post My hubby has Esld HELP

Thanks
Lisa
aka nibseysgirl
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