Beth - elevated liver enzymes and pancreatitis

August 20, 2003

Hi Beth,

I was just reading an old post of yours, looking for info on

pancreatic enzymes when I noticed that you asked about a

possible connection between elevated liver enzymes and

pancreatitis.

My thinking from what one of my docs told me, is that there is no

cause and effect as in first you have pancreatitis then you have

high liver enzymes, or vice versa. I think he told me that it is just

in the process of the inflammation. In my specific case, he thinks

that the spasm of the sphincter at times completely blocks the

bile duct. During this blockage, liver cells are destroyed and they

release ALT, AST and GGT. Because the blockage is relatively

short (to me it isn't though!) there is no time to cause the alkaline

phosphatase to elevate (this is not an immediate reaction to the

blockage). Once the blockage is relieved, the levels return to

normal relatively quickly (days to less than a week - depending).

So there is no-ongoing tissue damage like what you would see

in viral or autoimmune or other types of hepatitis or even

cholangitis - in these conditions the levels stay high for much

longer periods. I suppose in my case, you can link the elevated

liver enzymes to pancreatitis in the whole picture, that is,

spasms, blocked ducts, irritated liver and pancreas....etc. But it

would be hard to pinpoint a cause and effect relationship.

I hope that you and your husband are doing well and enjoying

the rest of the summer. The board seems quiet lately - hopefully

that means all are doing well! But would love to chat, if anyone

has the time.

I am trying some of everyone's suggestions - anti-oxidants,

pancreatic enzymes (OTC). So far am feeling better, if this keeps

up I should make it until my scheduled ERCP in a little over two

weeks. But we had to take my kitty to the emergency room last

night. Came home to a house full of big blood splatters. He

was bleeding from his nose. Everyone said that kitties don't get

" nosebleeds " like we do so we were advised to admit him for all

sorts of tests. Got home after midnight, called this morning and

found out that he is fine - he " just had a nosebleed " . Thank

goodness, but $500.00 later we have a kitty diagnosed as " stuck

his nose in the wrong place " ! Oh well, at least we found out that

he needs to have his thyroid medication adjusted.

Laurie

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