Liver Function Test Back to Normal

On July 6, 2021, I had mildly elevated ALT and GGT levels. My gastroenterologist hypothesized I had consumed excessive carbohydrates, which might have led to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

My core daily diet had not changed appreciably in the previous months, though I might have picked up the habit of eating several bananas as a snack in the evening.

Over the months, the proportion of the day during which I water fasted had lessened. I was not fasting for perhaps up to 12 hours per day. The significant deviation from the 15:9 diet I was on could have contributed to the rise in my liver enzymes and weight gain..

I have not drunk alcohol since my diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in early 2018.

My daily exercise routine remained the same. Between April 1 and June 30, 2021, I was doing about an hour of exercise – running or rowing at moderate intensity – per day on average. Most people would not consider my lifestyle sedentary.

My gastroenterologist suggested I lost some weight and planned an upper abdominal ultrasound scan and a repeat liver function test after three months. He also recommended liver supplements – Essentiale Forte N, 1 capsule t.d.s.

Diet Modification

I consciously reduced the carbohydrates I was eating, e.g., 25% less rolled oats for breakfast, 25% less steamed brown rice for lunch, and no afternoon tea on most days (this meant no bread for the entire day).

In addition, I followed the 15:9 diet – 15 water fasting hours cycled by nine non-fasting hours – more strictly.

Exercise

My exercise plan remained essentially the same. However, after two months, I developed left-sided sciatic symptoms. Running, rowing, and cycling worsen these symptoms. So, I tried walking long distances with a weighted backpack, i.e., rucking. To my surprise, rucking gave me a sufficient workout during those weeks I was recovering from the sciatic symptoms.

Weight Loss

Over three months, my weight fell from 74.1 kg (July 6, 2021) to 67.8 kg (October 5, 2021).

Upper Abdominal Ultrasound Scan

The ultrasound scan of my upper abdomen on October 5, 2021, only found a 3 mm gallbladder polyp and no other abnormality.

Liver Function Test

My liver function test was normal. In particular, my ALT and GGT had returned to normal levels.

Conclusion

My liver enzymes were normal again. My gastroenterologist believed my weight gain earlier had something to do with the elevated levels in July. He recommended I stop taking the liver supplements.