bile acid test - what else can cause elevated levels? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Leslie R · 04-17-2006, 10:36 AM

My little girl is a picky eater and has had giardia a couple of times. I scheduled a bile acid test when she had yet another episode of diarrhea thinking there's NO WAY it could be giardia again. When we did the test, we also tested for giardia which came back positive.

The bile acid came back just over 100 both before and after the fast. Can other things cause high bile acid results other than a liver shunt? After a couple of days on Flagyl she is doing great! She is still picky, but is very active, dose not drink excessively, and shows no signs of illness. How can she have a liver shunt and act so healthy?!

Could I have a false positive brought on by the intestinal distress of the Giardia?

Does any one know of a good site to research liver shunts? Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Leslie

JeanieK · 04-17-2006, 10:38 AM

Welcome to YT.

I have not had any experience with this, but I'm sure someone on here has.

I just wanted to welcome you.

Patti · 04-17-2006, 11:05 AM

Cali had Bile Acid results of 0 before and 90 after the first time and the second time 0 before and 32.5 after. I had her ultrasound done which didn't show anything so we had a liver biopsy done. She has a mild case of MVD or internal liver shunt which needs no treatment. My surgeon said that a lot of times on these lower BA scores it is indicative of MVD rather than a external Liver shunt. Also intestinal problems can cause elevated BA so I would have them redone if symptoms continue. Hopefully that's all it was. You can do a search of Liver shunt on here and get some good websites. I don't know how to post the links but this should get you the info you need.

Leslie R · 04-17-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

Cali had Bile Acid results of 0 before and 90 after the first time and the second time 0 before and 32.5 after. I had her ultrasound done which didn't show anything so we had a liver biopsy done. She has a mild case of MVD or internal liver shunt which needs no treatment. My surgeon said that a lot of times on these lower BA scores it is indicative of MVD rather than a external Liver shunt. Also intestinal problems can cause elevated BA so I would have them redone if symptoms continue. Hopefully that's all it was. You can do a search of Liver shunt on here and get some good websites. I don't know how to post the links but this should get you the info you need.

Thank you so very much! You have given me a glimmer of hope! I just needed a little! When I'm sure she is over her intestinal "stuff", I'll have her tested again. She just doesn't act sick... By the way, your Cali is stunning! I'm still trying to figure out how to use this site. I'll spend some time looking for the shunt info you mentioned. Maybe I can figure out how to get a picture of my little Princess on here. Thanks again! Leslie

livingdustmops · 04-17-2006, 07:45 PM

This website is sponsored by Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue and they have a chat room which might be helpful for you.

http://www.livershunt.com/

Leslie R · 04-17-2006, 07:46 PM

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I'm really glad you havn't had any experience with liver shunts and I hope you never do! Ollie is just beautiful! When I figure out how to use this site, I'll try to get my babies on here. Leslie

Cookie2 · 04-17-2006, 08:20 PM

My 2 yr old Cookie has a mild case of MVD which he has no symptoms now.
He is also a very,very picky eater and thanks to our vet that gave me a home made low protien recipe that he has been eating for like 2 months and he's been eating very well ever since. High Bile acid results don't always mean a Liver Shunt but sometimes it can. The ONLY way to be sure is to do a biopsy which the #1 recommendation or #2 Ultrasound which is not as effective but is a cheaper alternative.
Intestinal problems could be the cause as well. My vet said that sometimes slow digestion can result in high Bile acid results.

Sorry wish I could be more help.

Genie,Cookie & Lola

04-17-2006, 11:05 AM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Cali had Bile Acid results of 0 before and 90 after the first time and the second time 0 before and 32.5 after. I had her ultrasound done which didn't show anything so we had a liver biopsy done. She has a mild case of MVD or internal liver shunt which needs no treatment. My surgeon said that a lot of times on these lower BA scores it is indicative of MVD rather than a external Liver shunt. Also intestinal problems can cause elevated BA so I would have them redone if symptoms continue. Hopefully that's all it was. You can do a search of Liver shunt on here and get some good websites. I don't know how to post the links but this should get you the info you need. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

04-17-2006, 07:45 PM	#5
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	This website is sponsored by Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue and they have a chat room which might be helpful for you. http://www.livershunt.com/ __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

04-17-2006, 10:36 AM	#1
Leslie R YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tennessee Posts: 3	bile acid test - what else can cause elevated levels? My little girl is a picky eater and has had giardia a couple of times. I scheduled a bile acid test when she had yet another episode of diarrhea thinking there's NO WAY it could be giardia again. When we did the test, we also tested for giardia which came back positive. The bile acid came back just over 100 both before and after the fast. Can other things cause high bile acid results other than a liver shunt? After a couple of days on Flagyl she is doing great! She is still picky, but is very active, dose not drink excessively, and shows no signs of illness. How can she have a liver shunt and act so healthy?! Could I have a false positive brought on by the intestinal distress of the Giardia? Does any one know of a good site to research liver shunts? Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Leslie

04-17-2006, 10:38 AM	#2
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	Welcome to YT. I have not had any experience with this, but I'm sure someone on here has. I just wanted to welcome you.

04-17-2006, 07:46 PM	#6
Leslie R YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tennessee Posts: 3	Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I'm really glad you havn't had any experience with liver shunts and I hope you never do! Ollie is just beautiful! When I figure out how to use this site, I'll try to get my babies on here. Leslie

04-17-2006, 08:20 PM	#7
Cookie2 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,568	My 2 yr old Cookie has a mild case of MVD which he has no symptoms now. He is also a very,very picky eater and thanks to our vet that gave me a home made low protien recipe that he has been eating for like 2 months and he's been eating very well ever since. High Bile acid results don't always mean a Liver Shunt but sometimes it can. The ONLY way to be sure is to do a biopsy which the #1 recommendation or #2 Ultrasound which is not as effective but is a cheaper alternative. Intestinal problems could be the cause as well. My vet said that sometimes slow digestion can result in high Bile acid results. Sorry wish I could be more help. Genie,Cookie & Lola