2005 - In the Beginning

May / June – After one month of wedded bliss, I became aware that I was itching - a lot. The itchies moved all around but I had no rash; it was causing me to create scratches on my skin. Maybe I was allergic to something – hopefully not my husband! I saw my general doctor, he ordered blood tests and recommended I take Clariton to relieve the itchies. The blood tests came back normal with the exception of elevated liver enzymes. Hoping it was a fluke (maybe I had had some alcohol too recently) we did a second test. Not a fluke - still elevated.

Alkaline Phospate: 163 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 37 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 72 [1-55]

So I was then referred to a gastroenterologist (GI) who could specialize in what might be happening with my liver.

August – I met the liver specialist (GI) who ran more blood tests. Guess what – yep, elevated liver numbers.

Alkaline Phospate: 195 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 66 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 112 [1-55]

At this time in life I was working full time, trying to finish my college degree, and four-months newly married. I was also on birth control. GI doc said the pills could be causing my liver to be inflamed. I wasn’t ready to risk the addition of kids into the mix yet and I would be done with school in January – I would go off the pill then. So we wait.