Slightly elevated liver enzymes

mary6204

Slightly elevated liver enzymes

mary6204

My oncologist just called and told me that my latest bloodwork showed slightly elevated  liver enzymes.  She said it's nothing to worry about (but I still am)  She said Taxotere can cause that.  Does it mean my 3rd treatment will be delayed?  I have to have it tested Monday which is the day before my treatment would be.

Has this happened to anyone else and what does it mean?

Mary 

shiny

Hi Mary,

I did 6 courses of chemo 3x fec then 3x taxoterre. I was never delayed during my course of chemo, but met quite a few ladies that were, due to their routine blood tests.

It's important that your body is able to "cope" with the chemo and the docs will prefer in some instances to delay you chemo, just a little bit, and give your body a chance to get it's stenght back, if one of your organs/functions has not quite managed to "bounce back " to more normal function.

 It is preferable to slightly delay a set and get your body ready for the chemo then to risk you having to forgo more chemo all together because your body has been too severely taxed.

It's absolutely understandable to be nervous about this, it's anoying when things don't go exactly to plan and we don't have all the experience of the oncs to settle our fears.

Keep in mind that they do the regular blood tests for careful monitoring,precisely so that they can ensure  that you can  have the best chance of completing your whole chemo regimen.

I did have the start of my chemo delayed by a couple of weeks due to my original lumpectomy not healing as soon as they'd hoped. I remember worrying about it just like you.

take care,and hope you manage to rest this weekend and keep your mind busy. Call the docs office back and ask to go through the blood results with you again, and ask them to explain how this might affect your chemo. If they are still open, that might be the best option to put your mind at ease. Sending you Canadian calming vibes, from England.

mary6204

I looked through my paperwork I was given orignally for taxotere and it does say that 10 to 29% woman given taxotere can have this problem and it does go back to normal after treatments.  Still wonder if it's happened to anyone else though.  Mary

nash

My liver enzymes quadrupled halfway through 6 rounds of CAF, so I'm not surprised if taxotere has the same effect. My levels went back to normal on their own while still on chemo.

mary6204

Thanks nash, you made me feel soooooo much better. 

nash

You're welcome, Mary. My onc explained to me that the liver enzyme elevation was a chemical reaction, not true liver damage, and she turned out to be right.

Anonymous

My liver enzymes jumped up a couple of weeks into Taxol treatements. The last 2 (out of 12) finally returned to normal.

Taxol is hard on the liver, but it is very good at fixing itself.

mary6204

Thanks LJ, the enzymes were back down in time for my treatment Tuesday.  So I'm halfway through.  Seems like it's one thing after another.  I'll be so glad when this is over.  Mary