Hello, i recently went to the doctors to get a blood test as I have been put on a course of Epilum to combat migraine headaches. The results of thse tests showed that my liver had been making "strange levels of enzymes" normally associated with the likes of alcohol misuse, hepititus, etc They have asked me back for more tests in a month or so.
Now the results of my last blood test (some 2 years ago) showed similar results but nothing more was said at the time.
I also remember my uncle telling me that he had just been diagnosed with some sort of blood disorder that only affects the males of the family and that all males should be tested asap. Obviously at the time i was in my late 20's and totally ignored him.......
I asked my mum to find out what this was and apparently it is called Hypolipidemia and he is on some sort of medication for the rest of his life.
Could this be the same thing that my GP is picking up on. tbh I think I'd prefer that to hepititus!
Steve
Now the results of my last blood test (some 2 years ago) showed similar results but nothing more was said at the time.
I also remember my uncle telling me that he had just been diagnosed with some sort of blood disorder that only affects the males of the family and that all males should be tested asap. Obviously at the time i was in my late 20's and totally ignored him.......
I asked my mum to find out what this was and apparently it is called Hypolipidemia and he is on some sort of medication for the rest of his life.
Could this be the same thing that my GP is picking up on. tbh I think I'd prefer that to hepititus!
Steve
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I seriously doubt you would rather have hepititus than hypolipidemia!
Hypolipidemia is defined as a total cholesterol (TC) < 120 mg/dL (< 3.1 mmol/L) or LDL < 50 mg/dL (< 0.13 mmol/L). Secondary causes are far more common than primary causes and include hyperthyroidism, chronic infections and other inflammatory states, hematologic and other malignancies, malnutrition (including that accompanying chronic alcohol use), and malabsorption. The unexpected finding of low cholesterol or low LDLs in a patient not taking a lipid-lowering drug should prompt a diagnostic evaluation, including measurements of AST, ALT, and thyroid stimulating hormone; a negative evaluation suggests a possible primary cause.
There are 3 primary disorders in which single or multiple genetic mutations result in underproduction or increased clearance of LDLs.
1. Abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome) - Diagnosis is made by the absence of apo B in plasma; intestinal biopsies show lack of microsomal transfer protein. Treatment is with high doses (100 to 300 mg/kg once/day) of vitamin E with supplementation of dietary fat and other fat-soluble vitamins.
2. Hypobetalipoproteinemia - Diagnosis is by finding low levels of LDL and apo B; hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia are distinguished from one another by family history. Heterozygotes and homozygotes with low but detectable LDLs require no treatment. Treatment of homozygotes with no LDLs is the same as for abetalipoproteinemia.
3. Chylomicron retention disease - Diagnosis is by intestinal biopsy of patients with low cholesterol levels and absence of postprandial chylomicrons. Treatment is supplementation of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.
Hypolipidemia is defined as a total cholesterol (TC) < 120 mg/dL (< 3.1 mmol/L) or LDL < 50 mg/dL (< 0.13 mmol/L). Secondary causes are far more common than primary causes and include hyperthyroidism, chronic infections and other inflammatory states, hematologic and other malignancies, malnutrition (including that accompanying chronic alcohol use), and malabsorption. The unexpected finding of low cholesterol or low LDLs in a patient not taking a lipid-lowering drug should prompt a diagnostic evaluation, including measurements of AST, ALT, and thyroid stimulating hormone; a negative evaluation suggests a possible primary cause.
There are 3 primary disorders in which single or multiple genetic mutations result in underproduction or increased clearance of LDLs.
1. Abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome) - Diagnosis is made by the absence of apo B in plasma; intestinal biopsies show lack of microsomal transfer protein. Treatment is with high doses (100 to 300 mg/kg once/day) of vitamin E with supplementation of dietary fat and other fat-soluble vitamins.
2. Hypobetalipoproteinemia - Diagnosis is by finding low levels of LDL and apo B; hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia are distinguished from one another by family history. Heterozygotes and homozygotes with low but detectable LDLs require no treatment. Treatment of homozygotes with no LDLs is the same as for abetalipoproteinemia.
3. Chylomicron retention disease - Diagnosis is by intestinal biopsy of patients with low cholesterol levels and absence of postprandial chylomicrons. Treatment is supplementation of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.
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thats what I meant, I'd rather have the hypolipidemia....
But what is it, in laymans terms, and could this be what my gp is picking up on? ie high levels of some enzymes produced from my liver???
steve
But what is it, in laymans terms, and could this be what my gp is picking up on? ie high levels of some enzymes produced from my liver???
steve
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In laymans terms, you have lower than normal levels of lipids in your blood stream. Lipids are essential fatty acids and cholesterols, such as the various types (Low density and high density, the so called good and bad types of cholesterol).
Most people have high cholesterol and have to take medication, like statins, to reduce the level. It is considered bad when lipids are too high because they have been associated with heart and arterial disease.
Having too little lipids in you blood is just as bad as having too much lipid. Your body requires lipids to function properly, especially cholesterol. In fact, chlosterol is one of the most important lipids for your health (ironic, isn't it).
The human body contains about 100 g of cholesterol. Most of this is incorporated in the membranes from which cells are constructed and is an indispensable component of them. The insulating layers of myelin wound around neurons are especially rich in cholesterol. In far smaller quantities, but no less important, cholesterol is the starting ingredient for the synthesis of the steroid hormones:
progesterone;
estrogens;
androgens (e.g., testosterone);
glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol);
mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone).
Cholesterol is also the precursor from which the body synthesizes vitamin D.
Chloesterol is also what makes and keeps your skin water-proof.
So, as you can see, lipids and cholesterol in particular are very important, as long as you have the proper amount. In your case, you apparently do not have enough.
Could your doctors tests finding low liver enzymes be related to the low lipid levels? Almost certainly since lipids and cholosterol are produced by the liver.
Most people have high cholesterol and have to take medication, like statins, to reduce the level. It is considered bad when lipids are too high because they have been associated with heart and arterial disease.
Having too little lipids in you blood is just as bad as having too much lipid. Your body requires lipids to function properly, especially cholesterol. In fact, chlosterol is one of the most important lipids for your health (ironic, isn't it).
The human body contains about 100 g of cholesterol. Most of this is incorporated in the membranes from which cells are constructed and is an indispensable component of them. The insulating layers of myelin wound around neurons are especially rich in cholesterol. In far smaller quantities, but no less important, cholesterol is the starting ingredient for the synthesis of the steroid hormones:
progesterone;
estrogens;
androgens (e.g., testosterone);
glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol);
mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone).
Cholesterol is also the precursor from which the body synthesizes vitamin D.
Chloesterol is also what makes and keeps your skin water-proof.
So, as you can see, lipids and cholesterol in particular are very important, as long as you have the proper amount. In your case, you apparently do not have enough.
Could your doctors tests finding low liver enzymes be related to the low lipid levels? Almost certainly since lipids and cholosterol are produced by the liver.
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Steve,
*****edited by moderator***** I think I'm in the same boat as you, and am having difficulty finding a specialist. I too have been having migraines and have contributed them to my low LDL cholesterol (22-33mg/dL). I started having migraines at around 21. I'm 24 now. I've tried supplementing with fish oil (1000mg) and that seems to raise my LDL about 10mg/dL, but if I stop taking it, it goes back down 10 mg/dL. I'm wondering if I should start supplementing with Vitamin E. Are you? I'm about ready to take a trip to the Mayo Clinic for a thorough evaluation. :(
*****edited by moderator***** I think I'm in the same boat as you, and am having difficulty finding a specialist. I too have been having migraines and have contributed them to my low LDL cholesterol (22-33mg/dL). I started having migraines at around 21. I'm 24 now. I've tried supplementing with fish oil (1000mg) and that seems to raise my LDL about 10mg/dL, but if I stop taking it, it goes back down 10 mg/dL. I'm wondering if I should start supplementing with Vitamin E. Are you? I'm about ready to take a trip to the Mayo Clinic for a thorough evaluation. :(
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Caution guys....
before you start taking anything , Vitamin E or otherwise, you'll want to check with your doctor.
I'm not an MD, but you don't want to start tinkering with your system when you're already trying to cope with another condition.
Go slow. Ask the doc first.
before you start taking anything , Vitamin E or otherwise, you'll want to check with your doctor.
I'm not an MD, but you don't want to start tinkering with your system when you're already trying to cope with another condition.
Go slow. Ask the doc first.
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Liver disease can be associated as a cause of hypolipidemia I would get some more details as to what is going on....
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