Pregnancy Cholestasis: Itching & Bile Acid Levels - Seeking Answers

Question
Hi! I am currently 29.2 weeks pregnant and have been tested continually throughout for severe itching on hands, feet, and body. I have scratched so badly that I have left scars and bruises. All liver tests the docs are running appear normal except for my bile acid results. They have run 20, 14, 12, 10, and back up to 12 respectively. My doctors don't feel this is cholestasis of pregnancy or drug induced cholestasis (I was on penicillin for a staph and strep b infection in my ankle at about 14 weeks of pregnancy). My question is this...is there anything else that could cause elevated fasting bile acid levels? Are these levels anything to be concerned about, or can some people just have elevated bile acid levels? I appreciate your time and help with this! Thank you!

Answer
dear waterlilie:
my guess is that this *is* cholestasis of pregnancy. the itching can precede abnormal bile acid levels and liver enzymes by weeks and months. i suggest that you show my webpage to your treating physicians and go on ursodeoxycholic acid (natural substance, treatment of choice, no danger for mom or baby).
http://www.ikp.unibe.ch/lab2/ICP.html
best regards and wishes
swissdoc