Problem wth LFT's
 

Hi,

I had my medical just over two weeks ago-doctor was happy with everything and would just await the results of my blood tests. Unfortunately for me I had been off work the previous ten days and had treated myself to a few drinks of wine/cider each night. Wish I had known beforehand that this would affect my LFts but alas, the following day I was told they were abnormal, everything else was fine. Went back two days ago for a repeat having completely abstained for two weeks and my GGT had come down from 104 to 88(< 35) and bilirubin was 26 (<17), but its still quite high. The doctor is going to pass it, but I need to go to my GP, which I've made an appointment today. I'm hoping it is just the alcohol intake and nothing serious as I'm quite active, not overweight, BMI 21, and eat healthy, and apart from giving birth, never had any problems medically. I did have blood test done 6 years ago, and they were normal. I dont think my GP will act on these results because I had some bloods done with the practice nurse 5 days after the original blood tests and I haven't heard from my GP. Can anyone advise if immigration will accept these or will they want further investigations? I'm applying for PR under the partnership catergory as my partner is kiwi. Any advice would be great. Thanks, Bev:unsure:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I'm sure Immigration will want further tests...:( When I had my blood tests done for PR my white blood cells we slightly lower than normal. My doctor assured me that this was quite normal and she was not worried about it. The reason for this was due to me having the Flu a week before having my bloods done. However Immigration sent my medical to the MA who then requested a re-test and this took 10 wks for them to finally come back and tell me that everything was okay :curse:

Although I knew my second tests were clear....it was a very anxious wait just to get the all clear from Immigration.

Good luck and :fingerscrossed: for a speedy good result.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Thanks Nukiwi, went to see my GP today and he's referred me for an ultrasound scan. Seems to think it probably is the alcohol, however he understands its better to have it done due to the likelihood of immigration requesting one anyway. Just got to wait for a date for the scan. Fingers crossed there's nothing untoward.:unsure:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Just an idea but we recently did a detox programme which only took a week and this gets rid of all the nasty toxins in the body. You can get it from any health shop and it involves taking different capsules during the day and cutting out all dairy foods, tea, coffee, alcohol etc. We felt great after it. It may have a better effect on your bloods.

I'm sure everything is fine but best get it checked out. Immigration have put me through it twice now. We came out here on a Temporary Work Visa and the doctor who examined me thought he could feel a lump so of course Immigration wanted a mamogram which came back clear but its the waiting thats the worse.

Good luck and keep us informed of how it goes :fingerscrossed:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Thanks again Nukiwi :cool:. I will check it out. I'm going back to my GP in 3 weeks to get my bloods checked again. I hope if its showing a downward trend it will help to convince immigration its caused by the alcohol.:fingerscrossed: I will keep you informed. By the way, can I ask where abouts in Auckland you are living?:)

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

I'm keeping everything crossed for you :fingerscrossed:

We are currently in Eastern Beach but moving to Pukekohe next week. We love NZ and can't wait to buy our own home. Still have a house in the UK which is being rented. As soon as it reaches an affordable price, we will put it on the market...:unsure:

Where are you hoping to head for?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

My partner's family live around Auckland, mostly in Mangere East. Had a look around last year but the areas I like are the most expensive:(. Will probably stay in short term rental before we decide. Managed to get booked in for a scan on Monday, made easier because I work at the hospital and also know somebody in the radiology dept:D. At least I wont have to wait very long. Are you working in Pukekohe?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

This is our third move in 22 months....we are still trying to decide where we want to settle :unsure:

Glad to hear your scan is so soon. :fingerscrossed: and let me know how you get on. I'm sure everything will be fine.

I've not worked since I've been in NZ but I do want to do a little part-time job, mainly to get out and meet more people.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

:(Gutted-found out the results of my scan from my GP this morning and he said I've got gallstones. Got an appointment on Friday to see about being referred to have my gallbladder removed. Can my application be refused for having gallstones? :thumbdown:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

I don't think gallstones would be an issue with immigration. They are only worried about ongoing costs and being a burden on the State but this would be a one-off, so in my opinion, you should be fine.

It may be worth a phone call to Immigration just to have it clarified. Let me know how you get on.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Posted an online question to Immigration, but they could only say that it might be referred to the MA as they were not qualified to answer. Also directed me to the health section which states that conditions that would cost more than $25,000 NZD would be a problem. Probably better just having my gallbladder removed - got an appointment with a consultant surgeon on the 24th of this month. Might just send my application in with this information and see what happens.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Hi, by slightly lower, can you remember the figures, I was 3 points below normal and it was listed as slightly low, nothing to be worried about and not noted as such on my medical form, Doc put it down to a course of antibiotics for an abscess which ended two days before the tests?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Mine was just under 3 points lower, which the doctor said was fine. Didn't think Immigration would make such a fuss but a re-test was ordered and just this alone took 16 weeks from when the MA received my first bloods to when they finally said "all clear".....you'll be fine but I'm sure Immigration will question it :(

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Hi Nukiwi, hope you are okay. Well, went to see a consultant yesterday-very nice man. He's happy to list me for surgery to have my gallbladder removed-should be in about 5-6 weeks time. In the meantime I'll send my application in and provide then with results of my scan as well as informing them that my gallbladder is being removed. Hopefully this will okay. Need to get my application in anyway before the end of August otherwise I'll have to pay for another medical :thumbdown: ... and I don't really want to do that. Anybody any idea how much solicitors/lawyers charge to witness a declaration?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Hi BevK,

:fingerscrossed: that it all goes well for you. I'm sure it will :thumbsup: Its a very emotional roller-coaster journey but it will all be worth it in the end :D

Sorry I can't help you with the cost of solicitors/lawyers charges as we did ours here and it was free :D

Keep us informed of how things are going....

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Hi all,

An update! PR application sent in 10/8/10. Surgery to have gallbladder removed next Tuesday :unsure: Case officer assigned, but email received today requesting a report from my GP as to why my LFTs are raised????? Already sent in a copy of the ultrasound scan report in with my application, which stated I had gallstones, hence the reason why I'm having my gallbladder removed. Rang GP surgery for a letter anyway, but informed that immigration have to put the request in writing (wont accept my word for it). Rang c/o who will put it in writing today. What a palava!! Could we worse I suppose. Anyway, thats the story so far. :fingerscrossed: it doesnt have to be referred to the MA.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Just wanted to pop by and say good luck with the op and application :)

Good job you never had to be referred to the MA, hubby got referred due to high LFT's and the whole signing off process took weeks! More blood tests, ultrasound, specialist report blah-de-blah-de-blah!

Deffo worth all the hassle when you do eventually get here, the stresses of INZ are long forgotten when you are having a picnic on a gorgeous beach!

We just have to convert our WTR to PR in a couple of months then INZ will be a long distant memory hopefully! :D

Oh we're from Liverpool, where abouts in Merseyside are you from? :) Living on the Hibiscus Coast in Auckland, gorgeous! :thumbsup:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Thanks Flowerpot, I'm in sunny St Helens, so not far from Liverpool at all. Just hope my LFTs come down after the op. Spoke to the nurse at the pre-op clinic and she advised to leave it for two weeks and then have them checked-seems to think that they should be back to normal then. I hope so, because if they're not, they'll refer me to the MA. Did anything significant ever come of your OH's raised LFTS?

You must be really settled if you're enjoying life over there now and summer is yet to come. :D Havent heard of Hibiscus Coast, so I'll have a little nosey on Google. I'll let you know how everything goes over the next couple of weeks. Take care.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Good luck with the surgery. Immigration are unbelievable aren't they.....:confused: keeping every crossed that you escape the MA. Keep us updated and take care.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Oh lovely St Helens, did a course at the college a few years back :)

Hubby stayed off the booze for a couple of weeks, ate really healthily, took milk thistle supplements and drank lots of cranberry juice to flush his system... retook bloods... and his levels had gone up! :confused:

We sent the new results to our CO and thats when he was referred to the MA, who asked for an ultrasound. GP referred him to the hospital and he was scanned and examined - all came back normal.
So MA then requested a specialists report - to speed the process up we went private and went to a clinic in Lpool city centre to see a Gastroenterologist. He examined him, looked at past results then wrote a letter saying everything was fine and that hubby was just one of those people who has fluctuating levels! Apparently 30% of the population do!
You can be referred by your GP for the specialist report but it can take a few weeks - private consultation was approx. £200.

The MA was happy with this and signed his medical off :eek:

So I'd say not to worry too much about the levels, a lot of people have fluctuating and high levels. As long as your otherwise healthy and you can prove that then you won't have a problem :thumbsup:

We are in Orewa at the moment but moving about 15 mins up the road to Stanmore Bay next wkend (both Hibiscus Coast) - really beautiful beachy region and only 30 min drive into Auckland city centre.

http://www.google.co.nz/images?hl=en...w=1366&bih=651

Where abouts are you heading?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Hey there. Just seen this as we have been away.

hope everything has gone well and you are well on the road to recovery now. :thumbup:

:fingerscrossed: about the MA referral.

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Thanks Bevs, recovering really well. Clips coming out today and then GP on Tuesday for LFTs done again. Been a long time off the alcohol, so if everything's back to normal, a little celebratory drink wouldnt go amiss, :lol:

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

Sorry Bevs, forgot to ask if you went anywhere nice?

Re: Problem wth LFT's
 

:scaredhair: That is so, so bad for re-hydration. :p

Went to Rarotonga . T'was real good.