Elevated ALK on Arimidex

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Rachel1
Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer


Thought I'd post here first. Since going on Arimidex -- it's now one year, my cholesterol has gone up 50 pts. and my ALK has gone up 144 3 months ago to 177. My onc. says its the Arimidex. Has anyone else had ALK and cholesterol go crazy?


Rachel

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited October 2013


    Rachel, my cholesterol moved from 200 to 248 as a result of femara, another aromatase inhibitor similar to arimidex. I'm taking red yeast rice, and my onc isn't pushing a statin too hard. I have no interest in adding yet ANOTHER drug to my daily handful!


    My alkaline phosphatase levels haven't changed, though. Have you had other liver function tests checked, and a Vitamin D level?

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  • Halfabanana
    Halfabanana Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2013


    I was on cholesterol meds prior to Dx, but alkaline phosphatase has been climbing since diagnosis a year ago. Started Arimidex 9 months ago, but gastro doc doesn't think that is the cause. He ordered a liver ultrasound, liver CT and finally a bone scan to rule out mets. I have a three month follow up next week, and will see if it has gone even higher. If so, he may order a liver biopsy.

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  • Halfabanana
    Halfabanana Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2013


    I was on cholesterol meds prior to Dx, but alkaline phosphatase has been climbing since diagnosis a year ago. Started Arimidex 9 months ago, but gastro doc doesn't think that is the cause. He ordered a liver ultrasound, liver CT and finally a bone scan to rule out mets. I have a three month follow up next week, and will see if it has gone even higher. If so, he may order a liver biopsy.

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  • Rachel1
    Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2013


    Went to a new onc who told me I needed a PET scan. She kind of freaked me out. Drove three hours to my regular onc. and he said lets rerun the test before we do anything else. Well, my numbers were back down to what they were three months ago and six months ago. My regular onc., while he isn't a "breast c specialist" is very calm, realizes I'm traumatized and doesn't immediately panic along with me. As he gave me the news that I drew a bad lab and my numbers had not changed, he then told me he snuck in a tumor marker test without telling me and it was fine. His parting words to me were -- doctor's orders: don't over think everything. I had to smile because he knows me so well. I will ruminate a worry to hell and back. Of course my sore shoulder still has me concerned even after seeing his physical therapist who saw all this over developed muscle on that shoulder side -- looks like after having bc on the other side and all the surgery; I have been overusing the nonbc side -- one possibility anyway. So, I'll do PT for a while and see how that goes.

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  • mamabee
    mamabee Member Posts: 546
    edited October 2013


    My liver function tests have shown increased levels a couple of times, but we've attributed it to medication I was taking (once I was on an antibiotic for a UTI, the other time I had taken tylenol a couple of days before for a headache). MO says I just have a sensitive liver.

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited October 2013


    Rachel1...I love your reg. doc....what a sweet thing to do and sneak in a tumor marker test than tell you all is well!! So excited for your great news..this news may even help with the shoulder pain as some of the stress is gone. Have been waiting to hear from you...so glad I checked as it made my day!

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