Diagnosis Update

[Guest guest]

Greetings from the big brown land of Australia (actually it's quite green of

late what with all the winter rains),

Just an update as promised on the seemingly never-ending story of my AIH

diagnosis(?).

Latest LFTs are in and were a pleasant surprise! ALT down to 110 from a

March high of 215. GGT down to 150 from a end-Feb high of 200. Everything

else now back to within normal reference range. The ALP " blip " of May seems

to be just that. More encouraging is the consistent trend downwards towards

" normal " .

As well, another pathologist (with greater experience with auto-immune liver

disorders I was told) independently reviewed my liver biopsy results. His

analysis of the biopsy slides were very encouraging, " Inflammation not

consistent with AIH, PBC or PSC. " . A small bit of well dispersed fat in the

liver cells, no cellular damage, and inflammation is widely dispersed,

outside the liver cells themselves, and very mild. Based on the clinical &

histological data, the plan is to continue blood monitoring bi-monthly but

the specialist doesn't want to see me again for a year unless the LFTs take

a turn for the worse. Hence, no medications for now. The only bad news:

" It wouldn't hurt to lose 10 lbs " . Well, 210 lbs @ 6 ft doesn't have me

shopping at " Mister Big & Tall " just yet but 10 lbs off wouldn't be remiss.

Another 50 km cycling each week should do it and drop the cookies in lieu of

another banana I suppose. Sadly, I think it might require that " S " word

too.......... sit-ups!

I think my GI felt a bit ambushed in my appointment. Based on information

obtained directly from this forum (or found from various threads started in

the forum), last week I faxed in several pages of logic/questions that I

wanted to specifically discuss/answer. It worked a charm and the

discussions were focused, as complete as I had wanted, and allowed the

specialist to prepare responses (including having some pictures available to

relate to the biopsy results). I think his decision to go to the additional

pathologist analysis came out of the list of questions. In short, I'll do

this technique again if necessary. A global thanks to you all for pointing

me (albeit unbeknownst to you) it all the right directions.

Anyways, it's a good day and good news to take home during our vacation back

to Canada to visit with families (26 June - 1 Aug). I sincerely hope you're

all having a similarly upbeat day.

Melbourne, Australia