High bile acid
I'm 28 weeks pregnant and gad to have some extra blood due to itchy hands and feet. It's not a constant itch. It seems to randomly come and go.
My count was only 1 point over but I've been told to have repeat bloods in a week.
Has anyone else been in this position and its resolved itself ? What I'm reading online about the chances of it continuing to increase and possible complications is quiet worrying
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They’ve done the bloods as a precaution because of the symptoms you’ve described. You’re right that rising levels and continued itching can lead to a dangerous condition called obstetric choleostasis which can be really dangerous for you and baby.
The next bloods will indicate if the levels are increasing at a worrying rate and what they’ll recommend from that. Try not to worry at the moment as the value is like you say only 1 number higher than the range. Keep an eye on movements and call triage if any issues.
With my second I got obstetric choleostatis (ICP) and my bile acid levels rose rapidly. It’s sort of common and good news is they are monitoring you now but be prepared if it rises high to meet baby early. They will not let you go over 38 weeks with an ICP baby so I delivered him at 37 weeks.
Great news, my baby was healthy (just jaundice and needed some phototherapy but that’s common) and I stopped itching once he was out. My body recovered well and I’m told it’s not guaranteed for any other pregnancies
If you end of having cholestatis, remember that the most important thing is knowing that you have it!
Once you do have it with one pregnancy it is very common to get it again, fyi - like 60-90% chance, I believe.
I had it with both of my pregnancies. My oldest was born at 37 weeks, and my youngest at 36 weeks because it was more severe with her. Neither needed any time in the NICU and they are perfectly healthy today at 4.5 and 16 months.
In the US you get extra monitoring with ultrasounds and non stress tests if you have cholestatis, which could help ease your mind a bit.
And it will resolve itself once you are no longer pregnant!
Hi I had cholestatis in both my pregnancies where my bite acids were high as well as my liver bloods. Second time round my bloods went back to the normal range after being prescribed Ursodeoxycholic acid but they did spike every now and then. Both times I was induced early (36 weeks with my first and 37 weeks this time round)
Couple of hints/tips- always eat before bloods that are testing bile acids that way they will be the most accurate (delivery is planned around highest result in the UK) and if you want check out the ICP support group on Facebook they are amazing xx
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