High-Risk Pregnancy

Anyone with elevated liver enzymes?

Hi ladies - I had some labwork done and it showed elevated liver enzymes. I'm only 17 weeks (almost 18), but still wondering about HELLP. My OB wants me to go see a gastroenteroligst (sp?) for followup to see what it could be. I'm trying to not stress about it, but HELLP has got me concerned - especially since the only cure is delivery and I'm not anywhere even near V-day. 

Trying to stay positive - they want to recheck my levels next week as well and see if it was a fluke and to also followup with the gastro.

Anyone who has been in the same place - would love to hear from you and learn from your experiences.

Thank you. 

BFP#1 10/17/11, m/c due to SCH 11/21/11 @ 8w4d; BFP#2 2/26/12, baby girl arrived 11/1/12; BFP#3 12/3/13, EDD: 8/18/14.

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Re: Anyone with elevated liver enzymes?

  • Like PP said, see if you can get your platelets checked. You need more than just elevated liver enzymes to diagnose HELLP.

    I didn't develop HELLP until 35 weeks. I went in for a regular checkup at 35W2D and was dialated to a 4 and had elevated BP. 2 days later my platelets had plummeted, my liver enzymes were crazy high, and my BP was through the roof. It escalates really quickly so pay close attention to how you're feeling. My "symptoms" were that I was absolutely exhausted (more than normal), I was swollen all over, every time I stood up I would see lots of little black dots (that was the BP), "felt sick" (nauseous and headachey), and I had a lot of pressure in my upper abdomen that felt like heartburn (it was my liver). I was far enough along that a lot of that felt like what I thought was typical late-term pregnancy symptoms. They would obviously feel wrong to you at 17W!

    Good luck to you, I hope it was a fluke! Feel free to ask me if you have any other questions :)

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  • glawglaw member

    Thanks for the responses ladies - I am really hoping it is a fluke b/c 17 weeks seems so early for HELLP. The good thing is I don't have any of the other symptoms like high blood pressure or feeling nauseous (thankfully m/s ended 3 weeks ago). Also, the OB and my endo both said they were slightly elevated. 

    Can I ask if you had the elevated levels of liver enzymes first or the other HELLP symptoms (feeling dizzy, swollen etc...) first? Also were your liver enzymes extremely high or just slightly elevated? I am mostly worried b/c it is so early but hoping to get in to see the specialist next week and have my levels rechecked next week as well.

    I'll update when I have more info. So glad that both of your experiences ended in a happy way. 

    BFP#1 10/17/11, m/c due to SCH 11/21/11 @ 8w4d; BFP#2 2/26/12, baby girl arrived 11/1/12; BFP#3 12/3/13, EDD: 8/18/14.

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  • I am an OB nurse and even though 17 weeks is early for HELLP, it is possible.  Your Doc should have done a CBC count as well to check platelets as well as a urine screen for protein.  Elevated liver enzymes could mean something else is going on but if coupled with low platelets and protein in your urine then HELLP is more likely.  You may have swelling, headaches, vision changes, right upper quadrant pain, but often times at early stages of HELLP, you don't see any of these signs except the swelling.  I would for sure have your doc run a repeat chem panel for Live enzymes, CBC for platelets and urine for protein.
  • That happened to me. You should absolutely see a gastroenteroligist so they can test and rule out everything. Mine was in my 1st trimester b/c I was on aldomet for high blood pressure and it is a possible side effect.  It took several months for my liver function tests to go back to normal and as a result I was denied life insurance (I have to reapply after LO is born and they can see the condition has gone away).  At this stage it is too early for HELLP and I made the mistake of googling all the possible things it could be but those are for the 3rd trimester, which you are not in. So don't start thinking you could be in those categories - you will stress yourself out!

    If it isn't from medication, the gastroenterologist will do a lot of tests to narrow down/rule out possible causes.  You might be scheduled for a liver ultrasound but probably not until they have tested it for while.  If that doesn't show anything, you might have to have a biopsy after LO is born to see  what is going on.  I don't want to freak you out with that but that is what the game plan was for me.  Thankfully after a few months of being on a different bp medication, my levels were back to normal.

    Good luck!!

    Pregnancy Ticker
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