Hello John, thank you for the information. I was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis. However, on my last visit to my GI doctor, he told me wanted to a second opinion on whether the autoimmune hepatitis should be treated aggressively or just monitored. Additionally, he was not certain that it is autoimmune hepatitis. Consequently, I have an appointment to see another liver specialist. In the meantime he preferred not to add or change the medication he put me on. I've been on 10 mg of Prednisone for close to a month. I'm also a type 2 diabetic but my blood sugar has been fairly controlled. The last AIC was 6.4 though I'm working to bring it down. I've made dietary changes, and have started to take turmeric due to its anti inflammatory properties to aid with the cirrhosis.
I've also seen an Infectious Disease doctor to rule out Hepatitis B because there was some doubt as to whether I had this or not. Though it was ruled out, this doctor recommended me to yet another liver specialist because he thought that based on my blood work and biopsy results, autoimmune hepatitis may be the diagnosis.

Hello @luserm1, thank you for the update. It's great that you are working on lowering your A1C. It's one of my struggles also although I don't have diabetes. My A1C has been around 5.4 to 6.0 for the past few years and I have been working to get it lowering but it is a struggle.

Hopefully your upcoming appointment with another liver specialist can help determine the best treatment. Can you keep us updated?

John

Hi @luserm1 - I'm tagging some fellow Connect mentors and moderators who may be able to offer more information on your question. @dawn_giacabazi @kdubois @kariulrich @vdouglas do you have any information that you can share?

John

Does anyone know anything about Mayo Clinic Biobank. I mailed in my info and neverheard anything. I cannot even get anyone on the phone at mayo jax.  It's very weird.

I certainly will once I've seen the other two specialists. I should have more information by the end of September.

Unfortunately no, not yet. I'm still waiting and trying to do my own research.

Hello @luserm1, Welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect. I hope we can help you with the answers you are looking for.
I am not familiar with cirrhosis but you mentioned your A1C is 6.4 (mg/dl). That is a very controlled blood sugar for a Diabetic, good job! I would just say be careful trying to get it lower as you may experience hypoglycemia which is pretty scary, as you may already know. Are you monitoring your blood sugars closely while taking the prednisone as it is know to cause high blood sugar. Short term high blood glucose is not usually life threatening but if you try too hard to keep your level down you may go too low and they can be.

I would stress for you to monitor your glucose closely while on the prednisone and let your Dr. know if your numbers go extremely high. The benefits of taking prednisone -vs- changes in your blood gluecose will be weighed.

If I may ask what are your morning glucose levels?

Hi and yes, Prednisone can elevate blood sugar so I'm concerned about that but my morning readings range from 103-131...depending hiw late in the day the day before. I try to eat dinner before 6 or at the latest 7pm. Later than that, no matter what I eat will give me higher readings of 105.

Hi @luserm1, You are very disciplined and It’s good that you are concerned because when you are no longer concerned, things get out of control. You need to be sharing some of your secrets with the rest of us.

It’s great that you are so in tune with your glucose response and those morning numbers are very good don’t you agree?

Von

@johnbishop John what is the normal levels for ana? Because the last time was taken was 11.3 I was just always doctors that it was high. And are they suppose to be checked often? And as I see that was the last test results.