Elevated Liver Enzymes - Anybody?

Mom2ABoy

I am having blood tests weekly prior to chemo. My first one was fairly normal but my second one showed elevated liver enzymes (specifically ALT) which my MO said was concerning. I take several anti-cancer supplements, but none of them should be taxing my liver. Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to try to avoid taking too many things. Just sticking to a probiotic, vitamin b's, coenzyme q10, multivitamin, and anything prescription that the doc has already cleared for me. Anyone else face this? What did you end up doing about it?

ksusan

What were your ALT and AST levels?

Mom2ABoy

Oh now you're asking hard questions! My binder with all my test results in it is across the room so I can't tell you the exact numbers. The AST was slightly elevated, but the ALT was way over - 72 if I recall correctly. My MO said they don't need to stop chemo unless it gets as high as 5x what it should be, but I still don't feel happy about it. I kind of like having a liver, y'know?

ksusan

ALT normal range goes up to around 55, IIRC. A lot of people have temporary elevations during chemo. If your MO is okay with 5x normal, I think you can continue to monitor but not worry too much.

Mom2ABoy

That's very good to know, ksusan. Thanks!

ksusan

Numbers that make my PCP yip make my MO say, eh. My blood sugar was 140 or 160 after steroids, which would make my PCP intervene, where my MO said, no, that's great! I figure our MOs know what's normal for chemo.

tazbear89

Mom, mine were sky high before chemo, so I understand. I will be going for a scan on Wed. Get to drink the lovely barium. Hopefully yours will settle down.

Jackbirdie

I had liver enzymes elevated, 3-4 times high normal before I started chemo in March. I took myself off of EVERYTHING. I looked up which meds or supplements could be contributing to elevated alt and ast.

Gabapentin/neurontin, Tylenol, (and therefore Vicodin) are two of the worst offenders, or were for me.

Once I stopped as many meds that wouldn't threaten my life, and also started drinking the juice of a lemon in hot water every day, my liver enzymes all stayed completely within normal ranges for the duration of chemo.

I continue the lemon through today. It's a liver cleanse and also helps break down crystals that cause arthritis pain. I recommend it.

By they way, you may want to hold off on probiotics and supplements during chemo. Many MOs suggest that what protects a healthy cell can protect a cancer cell. I decided after reading about this controversy myself, to let the chemo do its job. I started my supplements again after I was last chemo. Just my opinion.

KayaRose

hi mom2aboy I rarely post but always read. Your problem caught my eye. I had really high numbers which ended up being caused by an infection in my lungs. I was also running a fever. My MO put me on an antibiotic and because my hemoglobin count was so low, I also had a blood transfusion. Funny thing was that I felt so bad from the chemo, I didn't even realize I was actually sick. Anyway, my MO told me to avoid Tylenol and had me stop taking my Lipitor. She said both could bother the liver. It took a few weeks but my liver enzymes finally came back down to normal. I ended up missing only one chemo treatment. She did say the chemo could cause the liver problems but in my case it was the infection. Hope your numbers get back to normal soon. Oh, my MO said the same thing about probiotics and supplements that Jackbirdie's MO did. Not a good idea to take them

jacksnana

I've had elevated liver enzymes in the past and now I'm so careful, always check out supplements and meds to make sure that's not a side effect. I've been having some minor heart issues and thought I'd try coenzyme q10. Looked it up online and elevated liver enzymes is one of the side effects, so I decided not to try it. Maybe you could check online and see if you think that could be the culprit.

muska

Mom, you are not saying what chemo you are on. Some chemo regimens are notorious for causing liver impact. My taxol dose was reduced starting from third infusion b/c liver enzymes were too elevated. i went from 80 to 70 per dose and the enzymes levels became lower and stopped growing.

I am sure your MO is monitoring it.

Mom2ABoy

@muska, thank you for reminding me to make my diagnosis & treatment info public.

Also I felt reassured Friday when I went in for chemo - my liver enzymes didn't rise any higher. Plus I found out that one of the supplements I've been taking (coenzyme q10) is known to raise liver enzymes as well. I've cut that out and cut back on all my other supplements, so I guess that helped.