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Thanks  for all of the responces .
         I am sorry for the self pity I have a difficult time dealing with
my own  volunerablity.  I am the one in charge,  I am the dependable one ( I
can accept volunerability in any one else) I  know that the tests are no big
deal but I have a severly disabled medicaly fragil( o2 dependant,
quadraplegic, g-tube fed silent aspirator ect ect ect..) child and lately
have averaged about 2-3
appointments a week with him . these involve keeping him home from school
and spending the day traveling in to the city so the thought of adding my
appointments to the list is not a happy one.
anyway here is a summary of responces ( I hope I am doing this right) : ) :


1. I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis about 4 years ago.  I have been
a
celiac for 21 years.  I was able to tolerate the steroid treatment and was
in
remission for 2 years when I had a flare up last September. I have been on
steroids again for the last 9 months and my LFT's are normal.  Some people
do
not tolerate the steroids but I was lucky.  However, to my own credit, I am
an athelete and am small in weight and bone structure so I don't gain weight
and I puff up on steroids.  AIH can be controlled and, with a good Dr., NOT
a
big deal.  Good luck, there are worse autoimmune diseases to have.

2. Be sure to be checked for chronic hepatitis B & C, esp C has been
reported
more prevalent in celiac.
Mild elevation of enzymes in CD is widely reported, probably autoimmune in
nature.  Biopsy is a reasonable and pretty safe thing to do.  Most wouldn't
use immune suppressants unless significant fibrosis present.  Consider
seeing a hepatologist if you're not sure you agree with your GI.
Especially avoid alcohol, Tylenol, other liver-toxic meds.  Ginseng and some
other herbals also liver toxic.

3.I was diagnosed as a celiac in October of last year.  My liver enzymes
were 4
times higher than what is normal.  I underwent a liver biopsy in December,
and through it determined that I had a fatty liver.  However, after a few
months of following a gluten free diet, the liver enzymes have now returned
to normal.  My GI believes that this is directly tied to the celiac's and
that the diet is working.  He will repeat blood tests in a few months.

Just for your information, the liver biopsy was not nearly as bad as I
thought it would be.  And it was a relief to find out that I did not have
hepatitis or something else.

4. Laura,
I know you feel betrayed by your body. I don't blame you. Still, cherish
it all you can. It, you, need that! Big hug, girl.

5.Don't do any of that without a 2nd opinion......what is slightly
elevated....

6.Laura,
       I have been diagnosed by biopsy for 12 years now.  The doctor that I
had looked at my high liver enzymes for years.  First she thought I had had
hepatitis.  When they stayed elevated, she assumed it was simply my chemical
make up.  Years later when I was diagnosed and changed my diet, they seem to
fall into an acceptable range.
       With so many people trying to continue to live a "normal" lifestyle
which includes eat out, often they are unaware of the results of cross
contamination.  This is virtually impossible to prevent even with workers
trained in Celiac Disease, simply because of what is in a commercial
kitchen.

7.Laura,

If I were you, I would immediately cut out fat and caffeine from your diet.
That may help your liver a bit.  And of course, alcohol.

8.Our daughter had auto immune hepatitis.  She does not have CD her father
does, but she has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, she is now 28, but you
don't grow out of it, you may be just less symptomatic (the JRA).  She has a
very good outcome with the AIH, did have to take steroids, but was monitored
very carefully and took several other drugs at the same time.  She felt
really bad at the time, about 5 years ago, but has had no long term effects.
She leads a very normal life.  I know steroids get a bad rap in the media
and from people, but they really can be a miracle drug and if monitored
correctly and used in the lowest doses possible for the shortest time
possible can be a life saver.

9.Hey Laura, calm down.  I've had Hepatitis C and AIH for 25 years and (for
me) compared with Celiac Disease, it is a walk in the woods.    I am sure
many on the list will be saying that it is related to Celiac, but this is
nonsense. Two totally distinct illness and both nasty ones.  Before you have
a biopsy, get your full blood tests done and find out your ALT and AST
levels.  The liver biopsy is not so bad and will give you a baseline for
determining the progression of the disease, as you will need to re-do the
biopsy in about 5 years, unless you show verly slight inflammation in the
liver, which isn't much to worry about.  Stop drinking alcohol right away
and start taking Milk Thistle to protect the liver.  I truly hopeyou don't
have it, but if you do, it is manageable.  Good luck.

10.Keep in touch. I've had CD diagnosed for 11 years, some other auto-immune
diseases, and slightly levated AST and ALT(in the 30's) for past few years.
I have been on steroids since late 1993 for other autoimmune probs. Had a
liver biopsy this Monday and await results in a couple of weeks.  Biopsy
wasn't all that bad, but make sure the doc is experienced. Have you had CT
scan? Ultrasound? They were preliminary steps for me.

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