Blood test results

The news is good! Almost everything was normal or close to it.

Total bilirubin 5 (normal). This measure whether she is getting jaundiced.

ALT 36 (normal)
AST 56 (normal/slightly elevated)
GGT 57 (not sure on the definitive range for this one...some give this value as normal, others as slightly elevated). These three are all markers of liver cell death.

Albumin 40 (normal). This is produced in the liver and measures how well the liver is functioning.

PT 11 (normal). Measures how well blood is clotting.

Platelets 263 (normal). Low values cause easy bruising and bleeding.

Haemoglobin 11.9 (normal). A low value indicated anaemia.

White Cell Count 5.7 (normal). Low value could be due to liver disease, high value commonly due to infection.

The only one that was concerning was her Alk Phos at 1057. This can indicate bile duct blockage or bone damage. That value is pretty high for Hannah - previously it has been 403 (Jan 07), 274 (Oct 06), 275 (May 06). I know (and the nurse reminded me) that it can be elevated in children due to growth, and Hannah has been doing plenty of that lately! The nurse also told me that Alk Phos can be elevated with vitamin deficiency, particularly Vit D. Her vitamin levels are not back yet so we will have to wait and see with that one.