UNTIL he had a blood test with Warrington-based BAPP, Luke Perret had no idea that he had a life-changing liver condition which was affecting his health.
The 30-year-old owner of ITechU phone technology shop on Knutsford Road, had a chat with John Lyons, whose Elements Cyro spa is near to his business. John explained he was setting up the blood analysis business BAPP.
Back in August, Luke had his blood tested at BAPP. It was the first time since 2019 that he’d had blood tests. Luke said: “When the results came back, John said there was something with the liver results that was quite high.
“He asked me if I drank a lot of alcohol and I didn’t. And if I was on steroids – I’m not. John recommended me to go and see my GP with the results to discuss them. I was quite surprised at first but I went to see my GP at Lakeside in Lymm.
“The GP sent me for an ultrasound on my liver and the checks revealed that I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. I have always been a lover of food – I will eat absolutely everything and anything and haven’t been focussing on my diet. Luckily for me, I’ve been able to take actions with my diet to address the issues with my liver. I was also diagnosed with Gilbert’s Syndrome, a genetic condition, which affects the liver. It means I have too much of the enzyme bilirubin in my blood.
“What I have done is cut out all the sugar in my diet. I literally have gone zero sugar and without exercise, I’ve lost 10kg. I am getting a blood test next February and I am hoping to have reversed the non-fatty liver disease.
“When I went to the doctor with the results, the first thing I was asked about was lifestyle and drinking alcohol and I don’t really drink. I just viewed the blood test I had with John as like a car MOT for my own health. I had no symptoms of the condition I was living with.
“But then when I look back, I do get dehydrated easily and I used to get a lot of headaches and migraines. I have issues with my circulation with Reynaud’s and I can’t stay in the sun for long as I get dehydrated. I didn’t think anything of it.
“It was a big shock when it came to my health and being so young, but I feel I am able to reverse it before it gets too late with the BAPP blood test. I wasn’t particularly overweight, but I’ve completely changed my diet. I used to have lots of sugar in my coffees and cups of tea but now I don’t. I used to eat lots of sweets and chocolate – now I don’t.”
Luke also uses an app which identifies the nutritional value of every food and drink that he consumes.
“If I have a craving for sugar, I will eat two or three dates a day”, he added. “Or maybe some honey if my body is screaming for sugar. I used to be a chef so I am used to grabbing food whenever I can, often late at night, and not eating healthily. Now, I don’t eat after 8.30pm at night and the last thing I have is some hot milk with cinnamon.
“Since the blood test and making the changes, I feel 100 percent better mentally, physically and with my energy levels. My partner, Han Dan, may argue that she could see the telltale signs before the blood test, but I couldn’t!
“I mentioned the liver results to my two brothers and my dad, to get their bloods tested. Luckily my dad is ok. I really feel like I’ve dodged a bullet and I feel so lucky and grateful. If it was not for John, I’d have no idea about this and eventually my liver would have got to a point where the issues were not reversible.”
For more details on how to arrange a blood test visit www.bappbloodanalysis.com or call 01925 591928.
The Mayor and guests at the official opening of BAPP
