Liver Enzymes - Help!

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tlundy
tlundy Member Posts: 142
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I had my three month check yesterday, but they were out of Lupron so I had to come back today for that shot. While I was there, the nurse told me that I needed to come back Monday for another lab, as my liver enzymes were elevated (AST of 45 with 10-30 normal range, and ALT of 71 in 6 - 40 normal range).  In June they they were AST of 24 and ALT of 26.  I started Cymbalta in July, so don't know if this could be contributing or not, but as you all can understand I am freaking out and have a long weekend ahead of me.  Does anyone have any insight or similar experiences to share?

 Hugs to you all!

Tara  

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited September 2011

    Unfortunately, I cannot be of much help to you, and hopefully someone that has more knowledge than I have will post shortly, but I did want to tell you that my daughter (who did not have cancer) did have pancreas and liver problems and was told she COULD not take Cymbalta as it was much too hard on the liver.  Perhaps it is the Cymbalta that has caused them to rise.  Hope you get resolution to this problem as soon as possible and that it is nothing but the Cymbalta.

    Wishing you the best,

    Linda

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2011

    One of mine was up due to Anastrazole one time I had a blood draw. 

    I would never have known this except that they did the wrong panel, so the second time, I had eaten/taken Anastrazole.  My first one was fine, and I knew it was unlikely to have so drastic a change in 4 days time.

    Further tests were just fine as well.  I made sure I took the anastrazole afterwards, not before.

    Good luck. - Claire

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2011

    the best thing to do is to retest. my onc doesn;t get too excited unless really elevated. they can elevate for a variety of reasons. remember you got good treatment and retest and go from there. my blood work varies from time to time. keep us posted .

    hugs

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited September 2012

    My liver enzymes were normal throughout chemo which I finished in Feb 2010. A few weeks later my AST was 69 and ALT was 135. I was very worried but the onc did not seem overly concerned and the levels returned to normal in a couple of months. In my case, I presume the elevated levels were a late side effect of chemo.

    I thought you have finished chemo recently but see it was a few months ago. I would suspect the Cymbalta. I found this article - Elevated Liver Enzymes and Cymbalta. But maybe, like Claire and the Anastrazole, it has to do with timing of the bloodwork too soon after you had taken the Cymbalta?

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  • tlundy
    tlundy Member Posts: 142
    edited September 2011

    I actually had run out the Cymbalta and had not taken it the day of my appt (but know that it stays in your system even if you miss a day.  I take my Femara at night, so I don't know about the timing.  Thanks for the info, feedback, and positive reassurance - you all are great!

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited September 2011

    Tara: please don't stress about it over the weekend. At least you are being closely monitored and your doctors will take whatever actions is needed once they determine the cause.

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited September 2011

    Tara,

    my onc. does not get to overly excited when it comes to the blood work. I am sure it's nothing major, your body has been through so much!!!  You will be in my prayers this weekend. Try to be at peace.

    We are all here with you sweeti!!

    Hugs

    steph

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    tlundy - AST and ALT can be elevated by any inflammation anywhere in the body.  The numbers fluctuate.  My DH was taking Glucosamine and Condroitin because he was a marathon runner for years and his numbers came up 10 times high normal.  His doc had done the tests because he needed to put him on an anti-fungal for weird toenails that is filtered through the liver.  The doc freaked (as did my DH!) but they figured out it was the joint supplements.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    Hugs and prayers going your way, I hope you can put your mind at rest.

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  • Octobergirl
    Octobergirl Member Posts: 334
    edited September 2011

    My heart goes out to you. Hope the beginning of the week brings fast and good results with your labs. Waiting and worrying are awful and too many of us have to do both too often!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    Checking in, hope you had a good weekend.  Let us know what you find out.

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  • tlundy
    tlundy Member Posts: 142
    edited September 2011

    Just got back from MO -  enzymes are back in normal range!  In addition to my greatest concern about the elevation (shudder), I have my pre-op visit today for TE exchange and was very concerned the issue might put a hold on that surgey. I am past ready to get ready of these things!! For anyone taking it (I take it to help with the joint pain from Femara), he did say (as Linda had already posted) that it can do a number on your liver enzymes.

    As an aside, I had my first Zometa infusion last Thursday and boy did it send me for a loop. I had major flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, fatigue), but I also got a flu shot the same day.   Wondering if the combo of two at one time did that - guess I'll know more after my next infusion.  Anyway, a few days down every six months is worth the trade-off for my bone strength (Femara) and any benefit it may have for bone mets prevention.  I know the jury is still out on the latter, but my onc really went to bat with my insurance company to get them to pay for it (my bone density is fine right now), so it seems that he may be of the mindset that the benefit exists.

    Huge thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and messages of support - hugs to all of you!

    Tara    

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2011

    thanks for posting;' was thinking about you.. glad the enzymes are back to normal. ****Smile

    this stuff can make you feel crazy; just remember you are not carzy; but a breast cancer survivor*

    hugs

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    Yay for you!  Sohappy to hear your levels are back to normal.  Hopefully the Zometa gets better, I know my first round of each chemo were the worse, maybe Zometa is the same way.

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