Liver Function - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

Yeah boy am I high on the liver screens.

My bilirubin is at 8 these days and I am a lovely shade of creamy chartreuse. Not to worry, the AIDS meds are hard on the liver and you are taking some of the hardest.

Make sure your doctor tests regularly your liver function. You should have your ferritin levels checked also and if your ferrtin is high you should have a genetic screening for hemachromatosis, a disease caused by the build-up of iron in the liver. I have this condition as well as Gilbert's syndrome, which is a chronically high level of bilurubin.

If you have any persistent tenderness over the center or right of your belly call your doctor immediately. If you have acute pain in your center to right belly and in particular if the pain is both in your belly and your back, get to an emergency room immediately as this may indicate acute liver problems.

The liver has no pain recpeptors, but it is surrounded by a membrane that is full of nerves. If your liver swells, you will have pain and tenderness in your center to right belly and if severe in your right lower back.

I spent a week in hospital two years ago on a morphine drip with an acute liver inflamation. Not at all pleasant.

One last little thing, never drink grapefruit juice if you are on AIDS meds as there is an enzyme in grapefruit juice that increases the uptake of AIDS meds by the liver which can lead to a liver inflammation. A large grapefruit juice at breakfast is the reason I spent a week in hospital with a liver inflammation.

Relax, it is fun being green.

ScotCharles

--------------------
Life is a river.
Carpe diem.

Post Extras: Remind Me!