Ashley's lab results are in. Although, they are changed from the last lab report; they aren't terribly surprising given that Ashley's liver disease is progressing.
As I suspected due to Ashley's many bruises, Ashley's platelet count is down from 116,000 in February to 99,000 but her white blood cell count is normal. However, for the first time since 2001, Ashley's ALT and AST are in the triple digits, in February they were both at 83. An elevated AST and ALT means that Ashley's liver is inflamed.
Remarkably, Ashley's vitamin levels are okay except her Vitamin E. People with liver disease cannot absorb vitamins, so having the vitamin levels checked is necessary to insure that the body is receiving the necessary nutrients to keep the body healthy. The important thing is that Ashley's bilirubin level is normal and her blood clotting time is normal as well. Having a normal blood clotting time means that if Ashley bleeds due to low platelets her body will still clot the blood normally. Having a normal bili means that we know Ashley's liver is producing bile and is able to filter it through the biliary tree normally.
I don't have all of Ashley's blood work results just the numbers that are not normal. The nurse will be mailing me a copy of the lab results so I can get a better idea of how Ashley's labs are fluctuating. (I keep Ashley's lab history on an Excel spreadsheet). Keeping a copy of Ashley's labs really helps me and her doctors see a trend in her labs.
I am not surprised by Ashley's platelet count but learning that her AST and ALT are doubled has me a little concerned. Right now, the plan is to repeat labs in a month. We will possibly start giving Ashley extra Vitamin E and she will soon require extra vitamin K to help with her decreasing Platelet count.
Overall, her labs are not terrible considering she has liver disease. We just have to wait and see what the next set of labs results show. But for now, I am glad that God is continuing to watch over Ashley.
As I suspected due to Ashley's many bruises, Ashley's platelet count is down from 116,000 in February to 99,000 but her white blood cell count is normal. However, for the first time since 2001, Ashley's ALT and AST are in the triple digits, in February they were both at 83. An elevated AST and ALT means that Ashley's liver is inflamed.
Remarkably, Ashley's vitamin levels are okay except her Vitamin E. People with liver disease cannot absorb vitamins, so having the vitamin levels checked is necessary to insure that the body is receiving the necessary nutrients to keep the body healthy. The important thing is that Ashley's bilirubin level is normal and her blood clotting time is normal as well. Having a normal blood clotting time means that if Ashley bleeds due to low platelets her body will still clot the blood normally. Having a normal bili means that we know Ashley's liver is producing bile and is able to filter it through the biliary tree normally.
I don't have all of Ashley's blood work results just the numbers that are not normal. The nurse will be mailing me a copy of the lab results so I can get a better idea of how Ashley's labs are fluctuating. (I keep Ashley's lab history on an Excel spreadsheet). Keeping a copy of Ashley's labs really helps me and her doctors see a trend in her labs.
I am not surprised by Ashley's platelet count but learning that her AST and ALT are doubled has me a little concerned. Right now, the plan is to repeat labs in a month. We will possibly start giving Ashley extra Vitamin E and she will soon require extra vitamin K to help with her decreasing Platelet count.
Overall, her labs are not terrible considering she has liver disease. We just have to wait and see what the next set of labs results show. But for now, I am glad that God is continuing to watch over Ashley.
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