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Elevated LFTs

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/9/2018 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
I got diagnosed with UC 2 years ago and am now in the middle of my second flare up. I'm taking 4.8 gm of Mesalamine a day, Canasa suppository at bedtime and on high dose prednisone. Labs drawn every week for the last 3 weeks have shown elevated LFT's. Most recent is ALT 187 AST 82. Should this be cause for concern as these numbers continue to increase with every blood draw. My colitis seems to be improving at the moment while on prednisone and I am down to 6 stools a day at present but continually feeling the effects of tiredness and fatigue. Does any one know if increase LFT's is normal during a flare and what it could be caused by?
Posted 3/9/2018 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Have you spoken to your gasteroenteroligist about your raised ALT and AST values? And if so, what did he/she say?

Your ALT and AST values are high and out-of-range, if the range of your tests are similar to mine. I pulled up my most recent LFT test and here are my numbers, for reference.

.......Value.....Range
ALT....39..........21 - 72 U/L
AST....25.........15 - 46 U/L

I did some searching, and prednisone can send these numbers rising. Whether your numbers are normal/expected or a warning sign of potential damage, I am not sure and I would defer to a doctor on that inquiry. "Corticosteroid therapy is associated with several forms of liver injury, some due to exacerbation of an underlying liver disease and some that appear to be caused directly by corticosteroid therapy." Take a look at the "Hepatotoxicity, Mechanism of Injury" section of the link below, and it describes a number of things that could happen.
/livertox.nlm.nih.gov/Corticosteroids.htm

I'd ask your doctor whether this is something to be worried about or not. I cannot honestly say. I always like to verify and confirm.
Posted 3/9/2018 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have a son with liver disease and have learned over the years that AST/ALT can and will go up and down for a variety of things. Those values are high and you should ask your doctor about them.

However, I will tell you that our son's liver specialist told us many times values like that are no big deal. Having a cold can cause them go higher that than. They can change drastically from day to day. The trend is more important than a single value.

Follow up with your doc, but for now, not something I would worry too much about.
Posted 3/9/2018 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I got numbers like that from Asacol, I was allergic to it and was experiencing a very bad flare. I haven't had bad numbers since
Posted 3/12/2018 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for all your help and insight. Going back on Tues for repeat labs to check LTF's. Prayers appreciated.
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