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Suggest Tests To Diagnose Any Issues With Liver

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Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Question: Hi, I have been takimg Terbinafine 250mg for over two months now, to get rid of my toenail fungus. The doctor told me to be careful about my liver as there may be side effects. I have no sypmtoms s far.
Question: which blood tests would you recommend to check whether my liver functins are still okay?
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, globulin, albumin

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are bloods that that specifically indicate if there are any issues with the liver.

This includes the liver function tests such as:(1) AST - aspartate transaminase( also known as SGOT)
(2)ALP-alkaline phosphatase
(3)ALT-alanine transaminase (Also known as SGPT)
(4)GGT

These are liver enzymes and if there is liver damage, they increase.

The liver can also be assessed by checking bilirubin levels (can go up in some liver disease) and the levels of the proteins (total proteins, albumin and globulin).
Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood and is made in the liver.

Summary: AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, albumin, globulin, bilirubin

I hope this this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 hours later)
Thanks!
I have been high on Albumin for a longer time already, around 50 g/l which appears slightly above XXXXXXX normal values. Is this a symptom that I should carefully look into?
Which other blood tests could help understand this? I've done a quite extensive blood test just recently, could share with you if that helps you to answer
Thanks again!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
may not be associated with any serious condition

Detailed Answer:
Hi

If you can attach the blood tests that would be great.

In terms of the increased albumin since it is just above 50, it is not likely associated with any serious disease especially if the associated blood tests are normal.
Though the normal range can vary from one lab to the next ,some labs have an upper limit of 55. Your lab may have a slightly lower upper limit.

Increased albumin can be associated with dehydration in some cases, so you can make sure that you are well hydrated prior to your next blood test to see if it makes a difference

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (32 hours later)
Hello, many thanks for your answer!

I attached the results of my recent blood tests, if you can take a look into that and give me your comment that would be great.
BTW I also have hormonal tests done, urine and other blood tests, can share with you whatever is relevant.
Definitely I am not dehydrated as it is my habit to drink a lot of liquid, probably 3-4 liters a day. I do eat seefood almost every day ( fatty fish like salmon, mackerel etc.). And a lot of raw vegetables...not sure if this would be of relevance...... by the way, is my Glucose level okay? To me it appears on the high side of the normal range...
thanks!
Thanks again
!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
the change in albumin is not likely related to any medical issue

Detailed Answer:
HI

The albumin is only just above the norm and with the other results being normal, it would not be considered a significant change.

Blood sugar readings are interpreted according to the time taken:
A normal fasting blood sugar is less than 5.6, 5.6 to 7.0 is prediabetic and over 7.0 is diabetic (for fasting )

A normal 2 hour post meal/glucose is less than 7.8, 7.8 to 11.0 is prediabetic and over 11.1 is diabetic (for diabetic blood sugar).

If this is a fasting reading then you would have just entered prediabetes which means that though you are NOT now a diabetic, you are at risk of becoming a diabetic at some point.

Lifestyle changes have been shown to be very effective in delaying the onset of diabetes. This involves increased physical activity and changes in diet if needed.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (32 hours later)
Thanks a lot, very clear. I will follow your recommendation regarding life style and diet.

How frequently would you suggest that I check my glucose level? Is once every 3 months a good frequency?
And should I do it also after sugar intake?
Are there any other useful blood tests to monitor the risk of diabetes?
I'd like to stay in control of this...by the way, urine tests have been on glucose
Thanks again !.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
3 to 6 months would be fine

Detailed Answer:
HI

Its really good that you want to get this in control. By controlling at this stage, you may be able to hold off diabetes for a long time.

Every 3 to 6 months is fine for a blood sugar check especially since you are only on the border.

Normally, diabetics are assessed in certain main areas: (1) eyes - to check for diabetic eye changes, this is done at least once a year.

(2)kidney blood test (BUN, creatinine)- once a year. Your results were good, so can be repeated next year

(3)feet- looking for any cuts, bruises, callus, bunions, foot deformity of any kind

(4)nerve related diabetic disease- normally done in full blown diabetics. Assess sensation in the legs and also assess if there are symptoms of nerve disease in any other aspect of the body

Urine tests are also important, not just to check for glucose but also to see if the kidneys are leaking protein which can be an indicator of diabetic kidney disease.
This is done at least once a year

Hope this helps you, if anything else not clear, you can let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (10 hours later)
Hello,
Thank you very much for this very clear explanation, really appreciate! You really motivate me to do more for my health, thanks for that, and I will definitely take the next steps.
I attached my urinalysis results from May 2014 and Feb. 2015, both fasting. Hope you can quickly check whether all is ok w.r.t. Pre-diabetes...
1) my eyes were checked by a doctor just recently, and she only observed minor changes that are age related, so I think I'm good here;
2) on kidney, last year they detected one cyst of approx size of 25 mm and I will get a follow-up USG check whether it is growing or stable. They told me that's not something I should be worried about. So I will check CRE/BUN some time next year as you recommend;
3) no symptoms related to my feet, actually, just recently I suffered from an ingrown toenail which was infected and prety painful. Once the nail was properly cut and grew out, the toe healed very quickly. So I think that I'm good here.
4) overweight: I managed my BMI from almost 30 (last May) to 27,5-27,9 and have kept this for a long while now. I will now take the next step to get below 26. Do you think that loosing weight may reduce my GLU in blood after some time? What else can I do to reduce, not just keep it at today's level? BTW, My diet is really healthy since 10 months...

Thanks and look forward to your feedback!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
congrats on weight loss

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Urinalysis- both are negative for protein, which is good. This can be repeated in a year unless otherwise indicated

Congrats on the weight loss, weight loss would help in controlling your blood sugars.
In many cases, a plateau can occur after weight loss where it can sometimes be difficult to lose any further weight.
If there is any room for increase in activity this may help. Since your diet is already healthy, there may not be any changes here though you can consider a food diary and review of the diary by a nutritionist or your doctor to see if any changes would help.


Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Tests To Diagnose Any Issues With Liver

Brief Answer: AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, globulin, albumin Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There are bloods that that specifically indicate if there are any issues with the liver. This includes the liver function tests such as:(1) AST - aspartate transaminase( also known as SGOT) (2)ALP-alkaline phosphatase (3)ALT-alanine transaminase (Also known as SGPT) (4)GGT These are liver enzymes and if there is liver damage, they increase. The liver can also be assessed by checking bilirubin levels (can go up in some liver disease) and the levels of the proteins (total proteins, albumin and globulin). Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood and is made in the liver. Summary: AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, albumin, globulin, bilirubin I hope this this helps, feel free to ask any other questions