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Elevated liver enzymes

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Posted 9/4/2016 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can ease my stress. I was on Imuran for 10 years and then WBC dropped to low and it was not keeping me under control. I started 6mp about 6 mos ago. My liver enzymes started climbing but it stayed within normal range for about 4 mos. I knew it wasn't right as my liver enzymes have stayed the same for ever. Well 2 mos ago they became mildly elevated we watched for a bit and they are still elevated so Doc took me off 6mp about 2 weeks ago and I was going to start Entyvio. We did labs and my liver enzymes are even slightly more elevated after being off of 6mp which was a shock for me. Also, my hands and feet are so painful and weak in the morning and evening. I do not know if that is related. I am not going to have blood drawn for another 4 weeks! Could liver enymes still be elevated from 6mp or now am l looking at liver issues? Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks in advance for input!
Donna
Posted 9/4/2016 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you're having troubles with your 6MP. 6MP is very slow working. If your numbers were mildly elevated then your doctor did the right thing and stopped the medication. It's a warning sign, and there is always plenty of time to stop the medication before any harm is done. It's why we're monitored while on these medications.

If you stopped 6MP just two weeks ago then it's going to take about 6 weeks until your numbers come down.
Posted 9/4/2016 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks John, That is what I thought..I am just concerned that my liver enzymes went up a bit after discontinuing 6mp. I would assume they would go down. It makes me think it is something other than the meds causing my liver enzymes to elevate. I am hoping it is just the meds..I hate waiting and so afraid of liver issues..
Posted 9/4/2016 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Donna -
After 6 weeks of being off 6MP, my ALT is back down (31 from a high of 112) and one of the other numbers (I was driving when the GI called so I didn't write it all down!) is "a bit lower but still borderline high" so - I believe it can take a widely varying amount of time for the numbers to start going down.

The idea of liver issues scares me also! As I have been reading, I think what I've learned is that a lot of things can affect them, even exercise... so could some kind of fluke have skewed the test?

Keep us posted!
Posted 9/5/2016 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Songlady, Thank you for your response. I am happy to hear your numbers are going down! I really hope mine do as well. I just hate they climbed a little. My ALT had been normal when AST was climbing, but the last test was done after getting off of 6mp for 2 weeks, my ALT was elevated as well as AST. It is mildly elevated. My ASTwas 75 and ALT went from normal to 44. But it has been climbing slowly, so I am sure is not a mistake. I hate waiting
Liver issues scare the poo out of me:(
Posted 9/6/2016 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
How much 6 MP were you on?

I still think hat being off the 6MP for only 2 weeks would not be enough time, necessarily, for numbers to go down, and it probably is not a big deal if they went up a little (they sure were better than mine! lol)
I guess our mileage really does vary as to when the 6 MP leaves our systems.

My GI did a bunch more blood tests when my numbers were sky-high, to test for "unlikely other issues" but all came out OK. I went on vacation the day after I had those bloods drawn, so .... I didn't even ask; I didn't want to be fixated on the possibilities during my week away.

When I talk to him next I'll ask him what else he was looking for.

When do you have more blood tests? I will be looking for your results!
Posted 9/6/2016 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was only taking 50mgs and then he upped me to 75 alternating with 50. So 75 one day and 50 the next. My enzymes started going up when we went higher but did not go down when we went back to 50. It never reached the therapeutic range. I was on Azathioprine for 10 years before my WBC started dropping like a rock but my liver enzymes were always normal. I am even more nervous as may poo has looked light the last couple of days..
I had liver tests done as well when my enzymes started going up. But everything looked normal.
I have blood work done is about 4 weeks..
Thank you so very much for your insight. I will absolutely let you know!
Posted 9/7/2016 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I tried to reply to this thread the other day but my internet connection was bad.

I'm on azathioprine. I had high liver enzymes and my gi had me reduce my dose. The results were still elevated after that. I'm doing a regular liver detox and since I've been doing it my blood work comes back perfect. I don't need to worry anymore.
Posted 9/7/2016 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Adrina! What do you do for a liver detox? This liver stuff is new to me! One of my ankles is a little swollen recently and I am praying it has nothing to do with my liver. Maybe a varicose vein as it is only one leg. I am totally stressing out now. Thank you!
Posted 9/7/2016 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I do a syrup which comes from Central America. It's difficult to get :/ if I wouldn't have it I would go on Amazon (I love amazon) to find liver detox meds. My problem is they mostly come in huge capsules which I cannot swallow.
Posted 9/8/2016 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
There are a lot of foods that help naturally detox and help your liver. I have liver disease, PSC. I have been able to keep my liver numbers normal by eating some liver superfoods and then avoiding things like Tylenol and alcohol that can bog down the liver. Garlic, lemons, and green tea can all help naturally detox your liver. Avocado is great for the liver, it helps your body produce glutothione which is essential to the livers detox process.

Try not to worry, hopefully once your body rids itself of the medication everything will go back to normal. But some of these foods can help your liver in its natural process to speed things along.
Posted 9/8/2016 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Cupcakespinkgal, How did they find out you had PSC. What were your symptoms? I have had other symptoms that I have not mentioned. That is why I am so nervous about enzymes. Thanks!!!!
Posted 9/9/2016 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 6mp 75 mg for 3 years now. Initially my liver function were normal but after year, it comes out slightly high(34) but stays around that range so he is keeping me on that dose. I had ultrasound and came out that I have fatty liver and that can cause liver function little high too. So my GI thinks if it is medicine, it will keep going high but mine is stable, it has to be because of fatty liver.

It takes time for 6mp to build up so I am sure it takes time to get out of body too.
Posted 9/9/2016 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
pupluv - I didn't really have any symptoms. My liver enzymes were elevated then next blood test still elevated and my alkaline phosphatase was also elevated so they ordered an MRI. I was diagnosed from the MRI. The most common symptoms are severe itching and upper right quadrant pain. With PSC the alkaline phosphatase is usually more significant indicator in blood work than the ALT and AST.

On all my CTs recently for surgery everyone commented how enlarged my liver is so now I am freaked out that it has progressed. I don't see my liver Dr again until November so I get how awful the waiting is!! My bloodwork in July was all normal so I try to push it out of my mind when I can!
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