Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Liver values after acute pancreatitis

June 13, 2012 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello. I am female and 31 years old. Two weeks ago, I was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis, likely triggered by gallstones (1 gallstone was visible in the gallbladder). I have since been discharged, and my CRP has decreased from 130 in the hospital to 7 now. However, my liver values are now elevated (gamma gt 68 (normal: 0-40), gpt 64 (normal 0-40)). In the hospital, they were still below 30. In 4 weeks, my gallbladder needs to be removed due to the gallstones. I am feeling well health-wise, but the liver values are concerning me. Should I be worried, or are the values still in an acceptable range? Unfortunately, I could only get an appointment with my internist in 2 weeks to discuss the values, but that feels too long for me. Next Tuesday, I have a follow-up ultrasound appointment at the hospital. Thank you in advance for your response!

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

there is absolutely no reason to worry! First of all, the liver values are only slightly elevated, and secondly, these increases are not caused by pancreatitis, but probably by the gallstones themselves. Stones disrupt the flow of bile fluid, and the resulting backflow can lead to irritation of liver cells and an increase in the above values. The backflow can be so minimal that it cannot even be detected on ultrasound.

Just so you know where you stand: in the case of acute liver inflammation (hepatitis), a Gamma-GT can be at 500 U/l and higher!

The decreased CRP value is another good sign that there is no acute inflammatory reaction.

Enjoy your time and don't worry.

All the best for the surgery in 4 weeks!

Best wishes, Dr. Höllering