So, I figured it was time I shared my own saga regarding my liver... Back in November of last year, I noticed my liver enzymes were acting up—AST at 43 and ALT at 93.
By the next round of tests in December, my ALT was 72 (normal range 12-48), GGT was 72 (11-55), and bilirubin sat at 23.4 (3-20). I went through the ringer with testing—checked for hepatitis and all that jazz—and everything came back negative; plus, I’m already vaccinated against Hep B. I even had my copper levels checked in both my blood and urine; those were mostly fine, save for a tiny fluctuation in the blood, but the crucial thing is that nothing is accumulating in the urine.
It turns out I actually had mononucleosis once without even realizing it. Though, looking back, I did have those bouts of low-grade fever last year... so that might have been it.
I was getting bloodwork done every month or two, and those enzymes were always fluctuating—mostly just the ALT staying slightly elevated while the bilirubin remained stubbornly high. During that stretch, I was being incredibly careful with my diet, resting, and trying to support my liver with St. John's Wort tea, silymarin, and some liver-support honey. (Not that I was taking them all at once, mind you).
Finally, by July of this year, my enzymes had leveled out within the normal range—except for the bilirubin, which hit 33 (3-20). But now, in September, after I started doing some light aerobic training and had a beer or two, things shifted again: ALT ticked up to 53 (11-48) and my bilirubin is back to its usual elevated self at 24.1 (3-20).
Essentially, my doctor’s takeaway was that the mononucleosis I had couldn't have wrecked my liver like this, and that my elevated bilirubin is likely just how I'm built—congenital, I suppose.
I hit the gym regularly, though I had to take a ten-month hiatus specifically because of these liver issues before jumping back in about a month ago.
Now, my doctor has started insisting that this could be linked to the protein supplements I’m using. However—and here is the kicker—my most recent lab results showed an elevation *before* I ever restarted the protein after my break.
My own take on the whole mess? Since I didn't know I had mono, I wasn't being cautious, so perhaps it left its mark. Once the enzymes stabilized, I jumped straight back into aerobic workouts and the occasional beer—maybe that was premature? Perhaps I should have waited a little longer, which might explain this slight uptick.
But I absolutely don't see the connection to the protein supplements.
I'm curious to hear if any of you have dealt with something similar.
By the next round of tests in December, my ALT was 72 (normal range 12-48), GGT was 72 (11-55), and bilirubin sat at 23.4 (3-20). I went through the ringer with testing—checked for hepatitis and all that jazz—and everything came back negative; plus, I’m already vaccinated against Hep B. I even had my copper levels checked in both my blood and urine; those were mostly fine, save for a tiny fluctuation in the blood, but the crucial thing is that nothing is accumulating in the urine.
It turns out I actually had mononucleosis once without even realizing it. Though, looking back, I did have those bouts of low-grade fever last year... so that might have been it.
I was getting bloodwork done every month or two, and those enzymes were always fluctuating—mostly just the ALT staying slightly elevated while the bilirubin remained stubbornly high. During that stretch, I was being incredibly careful with my diet, resting, and trying to support my liver with St. John's Wort tea, silymarin, and some liver-support honey. (Not that I was taking them all at once, mind you).
Finally, by July of this year, my enzymes had leveled out within the normal range—except for the bilirubin, which hit 33 (3-20). But now, in September, after I started doing some light aerobic training and had a beer or two, things shifted again: ALT ticked up to 53 (11-48) and my bilirubin is back to its usual elevated self at 24.1 (3-20).
Essentially, my doctor’s takeaway was that the mononucleosis I had couldn't have wrecked my liver like this, and that my elevated bilirubin is likely just how I'm built—congenital, I suppose.
I hit the gym regularly, though I had to take a ten-month hiatus specifically because of these liver issues before jumping back in about a month ago.
Now, my doctor has started insisting that this could be linked to the protein supplements I’m using. However—and here is the kicker—my most recent lab results showed an elevation *before* I ever restarted the protein after my break.
My own take on the whole mess? Since I didn't know I had mono, I wasn't being cautious, so perhaps it left its mark. Once the enzymes stabilized, I jumped straight back into aerobic workouts and the occasional beer—maybe that was premature? Perhaps I should have waited a little longer, which might explain this slight uptick.
But I absolutely don't see the connection to the protein supplements.
I'm curious to hear if any of you have dealt with something similar.