Liver / 6mp

Hi there -

Quick question . . . for those of you who had to reduce or come off 6mp due to liver complications, do you have an idea of how elevated your liver enzymes were?  I just got a call from my family doc yesterday, and she's concerned because my ALT (measures liver function) is at 94.  Apparently the normal range is under 35.  I haven't heard yet from my GI, just wondering whether this is considered "normal" and within the acceptable range while on 6mp, or if I can expect to have my dose lowered or be taken off it altogether. 

Thanks all!

Please do not be upset by this...it is common until they find the right dosage for you, unfortunately it is a trial and error thing. I was on 75 mgs and had to go down to 50 mgs; I was really upset at the time but it wasn't that big a deal when I look back at it now.

What I had to do is stop taking 6-mp for 3 or 4 days and then lower the dose to 50 mgs; I went back for blood work the following week and it was back in acceptable ranges.

My family doc says the normal LFTs for anyone (not on Meds) is within 60 but my GI says that it is 40 and below. My GI wants the LFTs below 80 if he has a patient on 6-mp/imuran; he told me that some GIs will accept 120 and below. My LFTs are in the 30's right now.

--Keith

Thanks so much for your responses.

Just a quick update --- the doc had me re-test the ALT levels a couple of weeks later, and they'd risen to the high 140s (from mid-90s). I have to drop the 6mp down to 50mg from 75mg, and go back to weekly blood tests to ensure the ALT is dropping.

I'm just hoping this doesn't set off any symptoms as I'm finally feeling better.....