Anyone have an overactive liver from too much protein?

[countingsheep]

I have another blood test scheduled for tomorrow and am getting nervous about it. After the doctor said that the first test showed overactive liver function due to excessive alcohol, or excessive OTC medications. And I do not do either one at all. I am worried that I have overdone it with eating excessive protein? I was just wondering if there was anyone else who has had the same problem?

[Leo41]

Did you tell your doctor that you don't do either one? Unless you challenge his assertions and get him to think more deeply about your problem, you won't get a proper diagnosis.

[countingsheep]

Oh yes, I interrupted them and told them that I dont do either one. I hardly take any OTC for anything except that TOM.
I wanted to rule out the fact that protein causes liver problems, because I cant seem to lose weight any other way. I hope that isnt the cause...

[Leo41]

You can ask your doctor about the protein but please don't say "excessive protein."

First, I really doubt that you're eating excessive protein. If you're following a low carb diet, then your body needs more protein than it would if you were eating high carb.

What you should do is figure out how many grams of protein you normally eat. Most of the experts give a number of your weight divided by 2.2 for the amount you need. You can even eat a little more and not be 'excessive.'

Then, when you talk to your doctor about this, just tell him how much protein you're eating, but be sure to mention that you eat low carb as well.

I'm not a physician, but in my reading, protein (even excessive protein) doesn't cause physical problems. The confusion is because people who have kidney problems must follow a low protein diet. Protein doesn't cause their problems, but they must limit protein as part of their treatment.

You certainly want to learn the cause of your liver issues, and the best person to discuss this with is your doctor. But keep in mind that if you're not satisfied with his response (e.g., if he continues to claim that it's alcohol or drugs regardless of what you tell him), then check with another doctor. All aren't competent.

[countingsheep]

Everything I had read about with the protein and your liver function had always been a good thing. In regards to the excessive protein consumption, perhaps what I should have said was that 99% of my intake is protein. It may not be excessive per se, but eating a dozen or more of eggs a day is extreme in my opinion and would make sense to me to be harmful over long periods of time. I may be wrong about the cause, and if so, there was only a couple other more serious matters that I can find that is related to overactive liver function.

[Houston Heather]

What percentage fat are you eating? It needs to be AT LEAST 45%.

Even Dr Atkins said it was unhealthy to do a low fat, high protein diet.

Please pick a plan, and READ THE BOOK, so you can follow it. Don't damage yourself making up your own plan and then say you are "low carb" and "you have to do it this way".

[countingsheep]

I was on Atkins before (I did read the book) and did very well with weight loss on it, and tried it again and it didnt work like before, so, I decided to try the meat and eggs plan that others was doing. Ive lost 25 lbs on it and have cheated in the past month or two. But went to the doctor for other reasons in the past two weeks and the blood tests came back saying that I had overactive liver function. There are other possibilities that it could be, I just wanted to rule out the high protein part of it and I know no one here is capable of giving me medical advice, I was just wondering if anyone else had gone through anything similar.

[Darkfire]

I just had mine checked, it's perfect, despiste the celiac my liver is beautiful. I am digesting protein and it's going through every where it needs to just fine. Carbs on the other hand.....not so much....Now I eat more fat than protein but I get my fair share of it. Keep digging, make the docs keep digging....you'll find the cause.

[countingsheep]

Well apparently, I had something else, like perhaps a virus or something at the time. They said my blood work came back beautiful this time. So, I was worried for nothing. Thanks everyone!

[Joy-FL]

That is awesome to hear, countingsheep! I'm so glad for you!

[wiser20]

Hi Counting Sheep,

I hope you still use these things some times because I am having a problem like you said right now. I have been on a very low carb / very high protein diet for a while now. The first time i went on this diet it worked very well and I lost weight quickly. But now I'm on it and I'm not losing weight, I feel SUPER sick if i eat carbs, and I feel really distended in the abdominal region more often than I should. I can't figure out whats going on. Could you elaborate more on your experience so I might be able to figure out what is going on with me?? I'd really appreciate it...

[Butternut]

I have had fatty liver for many years and my liver enzymes lab results are always a little high. Low carb diet makes them return to closer to normal!!!