Elevated liver enzymes after chemo

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MaryNY
MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
edited February 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I finished chemo six weeks ago. I'm now undergoing radiation.

All through chemo, my liver enzyme levels were fine. Then I had a test three weeks after chemo and the levels were elevated:

Test results (2/23/10)
ALT: 135 Units/L (Range: 5 - 37 Units/L)
AST: 69 Units/L (Range: 10 - 37 Units/L)
Bilirubin: 1.1 mg/dl (Range: 0 - 1.0 mg/dl)

The onc said to come back for testing again in three weeks to repeat the test and implied that the enzyme levels would be back to normal. She told me to avoid alcohol and Tylenol. I don't drink and I wouldn't be a big user of Tylenol but did take it a few times during chemo to counteract the Neulasta pain.

I had another blood test today and liver enzymes are still high.

Test results (3/15/10)
ALT: 114 Units/L (Range: 5 - 37 Units/L)
AST: 67 Units/L (Range: 10 - 37 Units/L)
Bilirubin: 1.0 mg/dl (Range: 0 - 1.0 mg/dl)

Bilirubin is now in the normal range, but ALT and AST are still high and have only dropped a few points from last time. Wondering if the chemo drugs have caused liver damage. I see that high liver enzymes can also be an indication of liver mets. Aagh! but there can be other causes too.

Haven't spoken to my onc about today's test yet. Wondering if she will suggest waiting for liver to just correct itself naturally or if she will want to do some other tests or scan or something.

Just wondering if anyone else has had the same issue following chemotherapy.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2010

    Dear Mary...my liver enzymes during chemo was all over the place.

    After finishing chemo it went back to normal. I don't have a number for you or how long it took.

    The DR wasn't worried.

    I also take cholesterol drug so the enzymes are still checked every 3 months. Its been normal

    Sheila

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited March 2010

    Consider a liver detox.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    Hi Sheila:

    I'll see what the onc has to say about the numbers. I just hope the chemo hasn't destroyed my liver.

    I love your flower photos. I went to see the orchid show at the NYBG last week. Here's one of my pictures.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2010

    Hi Mary...Thank You. I wish i could learn how to post real pictures.

    I google mine and enjoy every minute of it. Cant take credit for it

    Orchid Show... That picture looks so colorful and beautiful.

    Keep drinking the water the residue from chemo takes a while to flush it out. Good Luck.

    Sheila

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    Sheila:

    I think you are right about the water. I still have a nasty taste in my mouth even though it's six weeks since end of chemo. I lost my taste for water somewhere along the line so no mostly drink Perrier or other sparkling water. But I don't think I'm drinking enough.

    Going off topic here, but to post a picture you first need to put your photos on a site such as Flickr or Photobucket. That will then provide you with the URL for the photo you want to post. Then proceed as you do with posting the Google pics. Are you an Irish Sheila?

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2010

    First I need to learn how to upload the pictures. I got a new digital camera for Christmas. I play with it. My DD showed me how but i didnt get it yet.

    I know its easy but I need to grasp it first. Thanks.

    No Mary...IM an American-Armenian born in Istanbul Turkey. Came to US at 1971.

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

    Hi Mary...as one who did have liver damage after chemo, I would hope you keep following up with the liver function tests.. I had CMF followed by tamoxifen and arimidex...but staying on top of the situation is important..

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

    Seyla..I post from Picasa and Photobucket with my own photos..

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2010

    Hi Mary,

    I also had elevated liver enzymes as well for the last few chemo rounds. I was on Taxatere every week for 9 weeks. I also had rads at the same time. My oncologist did send me for an ultrasound of the abdomen. Luckily, there were no liver lesions. I was told I had a "fatty liver". The oncologist believes it was b/c of all the chemicals that are dumped onto our livers.... The other thought he had was that the liver was being touched by the rads. Either way, the liver enzymes have corrected itself since I finished chemo and rads. Also, it's a good sign that your bilirubin range is normal. I would check with your oncologist to see if he/she concurs with my oncologist....You could also ask for an u/s if that will ease your mind too.

    Chalex

    Diagnosed: Aug 4/09 IDC, 5cm, 0/15 nodes Grade 3/3, ER+/PR+ HER2+

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    SoCalLisa: did you liver eventually repair itself?

    Chalex: do you remember what your test figures were? I wouldn't be surprised to find that I have "fatty liver." I'm overweight. I lost seven pounds during chemo but gained 12 pounds since chemo (that's in only six weeks). I'm eating all the carbs, cookies and cakes and icecream that I can put my hands on. I think the chemo really messed up my metabolism ... or my self-control.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2010

    Mary...I did my googling about enzymes. I read some people's went up over 200 after chemo.

    It says don't take any Tylenol and plenty of water to flush it out.

    That A/C chemo does wonders on the body. I lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks because my mouth was full of mouth sores, couldn't eat.

    Good Luck to you. Hopefully next month will be lower.

    Sheila

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    I had another blood test to check liver enzyme levels. They are back to normal levels now, except for ALT which is still a bit elevated. 

    Test results (4/1/10)
    ALT: 44 Units/L (Range:7–35 Units/L)
    AST: 32 Units/L (Range: 10–48 Units/L)
    TBIL: 0.9 mg/dl (Range: 0.3–1.2 mg/dl) 

    This test was done by a different lab so reference ranges are slightly different.

    I was so happy to get these results as I was afraid that the chemo had done permanent damage to my liver. Just updating this post in case anyone else goes through the same thing as they get to the end of chemo.

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  • traceyk
    traceyk Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2011

    My liver enzymes were also fine all through chemo.  Both the first and second time - I have had breast cancer twice - two different primaries in each breast.  During my second round of chemo I developed a blood clot at the site of my port and started tinsaparen a blood thinner.  That is the only difference.  Now, since November ( a couple weeks post chemo) my ALT is high and my AST is high.  My oncologist's nurse said it went up today from the last test two weeks ago.  My ALT is 200 and my AST is 148.  They are going to do a liver ultrasound to see what is going on but she scared me when she said it could be cancer again?  Has anyone else had this told to them?  I have tried to research this and mostly found that it could be damage to the liver or that it could be temporary elevations as a result of chemo? 

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  • buburuzaa
    buburuzaa Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2012

    Hi,

    My mom has been on chemo for over a year with some breaks...her ALT came out 313 and her AST 661...very high, when just a month ago they were within a normal range...PET scan on TUesday...very worried but much more hopeful thanks to everyone on these boards. THANK YOU!!!

    Anyone been through this and it turned out to be nothing?

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  • Ranjana-12kajaria
    Ranjana-12kajaria Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2016

    Alt is quite high after chemo. 139mg. Next chemo has not been given. Hiw to reduce it.

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  • ItsStillMe
    ItsStillMe Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2018

    Is anyone still having elevated liver enzymes or any lasting effects

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