Elevated Liver Enzymes

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PugMum
PugMum Member Posts: 80
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Once again, I'm saying I can't believe I'm posting on this board! Anyhoo.....had a clean mammogram about one month ago. Last week I went for my quarterly visit with my oncologist and had blood drawn. They called to say I had elevated liver enzymes and now I'm scheduled for a CAT scan. I'm not on cholesterol meds so I know that's not the explanation. What else can cause liver enzymes to be elevated. My alcohol intake was probably higher-than-it-should be, but I'm not ready to film an episode of "Intervention" and I switched from taking ibuprofen to tylenol, but I really don't take very much. Needless-to-say, I'm freaked and hoping it's not a metases. Anyone else have these lab results? And if so, what was the cause? Thanks for any info.

Kathy

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited April 2010

    Are you taking tamoxifen? what kind of chemo did you have?

    Please don't take more than 2 grams of tylenol a day..

    they may have you stay off of alcohol for three weeks and retest blood.

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  • PugMum
    PugMum Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2010

    I'm on Femara. Honestly, I don't remember my chemo regimen because it changed when I ended up in the hospital after the first treatment. I'll probably just avoid tylenol entirely because I find it doesn't do "squat" for my joint pain.

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  • Pat634
    Pat634 Member Posts: 271
    edited October 2010

    Fatty liver disease is one cause, I too am on Femara and have higher liver enzymes as well. I on the other hand have been on Lipitor for at least 10 yrs due to high cholesterol.

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited April 2010

    PugMum  Which one of your liver enzymes are elevated? 

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  • pdb
    pdb Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2010

    Hey PugMom-

    LOTS of things can cause elevated liver enzymes....and I think I've had mst of them....Tamoxifen for sure, which can cause Fatty Liver disease (as other have mentioned), diabetes also plays a part in elevated enzymes. There are numerous drugs that can impact liver enzymes....as well as alcohol consumption. For what it's worth, my Onc said they don't worry until most enzymes are 4X normal.....and that more often than not the cause is NOT metastasis.

    Stay strong.....

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  • sunnytn1949
    sunnytn1949 Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    Mine were elevated too, and my onc said I was just chubby like him Wink

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  • Sunshine99
    Sunshine99 Member Posts: 1,680
    edited April 2010

    Hi PugMum (love your name, by the way!)

     I had elevated liver enzymes one time - way higher than they ever were during chemo  (was still on Tamox at the time and was probably drinking more than I should have been).  Onc was "concerned" but not "worried".  She wanted to do a re-check in one month.  I started taking a "Liver Rescue" capsule with milk thistle and I'm not sure what else.  Got it at the health food store.

    Anyway, one month later, liver enzymes were back within normal limits.   Hope your results are fine :)

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  • Boo307
    Boo307 Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2010

    PugMom

    My liver enzymes were always a little elevated until I gave up alcohol and now only have a glass or two of wine once a month.  My levels have dropped to the normal range ever since.

    Have you had any more testing yet?  How are you doing?

    Boo

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  • PugMum
    PugMum Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2010

    Hi Boo,

    I had my CAT scan on Friday and will get the results in a week. Since I basically feel fine, I'm thinking it's the alcohol that caused the elevated enzymes. I've almost eliminated my alcohol intake and find that: 1) I'm losing some much-needed weight and 2) I'm sleeping much better. A win-win situation! Now I'm just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the scan is clean.

    Kathy

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  • mhm123151
    mhm123151 Member Posts: 53
    edited April 2010

    Tylenol will also raise liver enzymes.

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  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 473
    edited April 2010

    When I was diagnosed with Polymalgia Rheumatica PMR], my enzymes where very high, I do not drink, and because of low tolerance to medicines, when in extreme pain[10] I might take 200 mg. of Ibuprofen, there are many reasons why enzymes can be high.

    Drinking alcohol is accumulative, as meds are.

    Maybe you need a Liver biopsy. Check with a GI doctor.

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  • wrsmith2x
    wrsmith2x Member Posts: 410
    edited May 2010

    I'm a drinker and getting breast cancer hasn't changed that much.  I also has an elevated ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and onc did a bone scan which came back negative.  We just watch it now.  Get yours  checked - if only for peace of mind.

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  • TCGGal
    TCGGal Member Posts: 137
    edited September 2010

    so Pug Mom, what happened? I have elevated liver enzymes. they took me off Tamox for a month & retested. They are even higher now. I have a PET scan next week.

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  • Hood1980
    Hood1980 Member Posts: 537
    edited November 2010

    Just wanted to bump this topic up, because I too have high liver enzymes.  I don't drink (because it makes me sick) or take pain meds.  I am on tomoxifen, but am worried my liver has been damaged from chemo &/or tamoxifen.  You ladies that had PET scans - what were the results?

    Thanks for your help!

    Joyce

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