Elevated liver enzymes and now petscan. Freaking out now!

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bd_55
bd_55 Member Posts: 6
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I'm a long time reader but this is my first time posting. My mom was diagnosed with bc in 2018. Her treatment plan was to start Femara which shrunk her breast tumors and lymph node. She had a lumpectomy and radiation this year. In August she had a clear mammogram. We went to her Oncologist appointment this Thursday and he mentioned that at her last appointment 3 months ago her APL level was elevated at 145 not exactly sure the ranges from lab but he said 120 was the upper number and her other levels were normal. He wanted to retest and probably run scans just to make sure everything is ok. I asked him could it be cancer and he said he didnt think so probably inflammation from liver or bone. He said he wouldn't lose sleep about it. Easier said then done! I started googling and freaked out. I realised my mom started taking Trulicity which we forgot to mention before the last blood test. When I googled trulicity I came upon a website the said it could increase your APL levels. (who knows how legit the website is) I called the doctors office the next day to let them know about the medication she is taking. Later that day the nurse calls to tell me they got the info and the blood work came back and now her APL is 119, but her AST is 41 and ALT is 78. Just a bit above normal range. She said Doctor wants to do a petscan. Now Im freaking out. I know her liver levels were elevated when her regular doctor ran blood tests before diagnosis of bc. She had a ultrasound done a few years ago but just showed fatty liver. She is taking a statin medication which can elevate her levels. But now that the doctor wants to do a petscan im so worried that he thinks of mets why else would he run this test? has anyone dealt with something similar?

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited December 2019

    Many drugs elevate liver enzymes. DH is being monitored regularly because of the cancer treatment protocol he is on and wanting to maintain the integrity of his liver. Lots of scans for him too (though he is stage iv).

    These days, docs have to protect themselves from lawsuits. To my mind, a scan to rule out cancer is good. That means he takes it seriously not that he expects to find it. Best to you both.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2019

    Sounds like the doc is just being extra cautious and not wanting to make assumptions.

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  • bd_55
    bd_55 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2019

    Thanks ladies! Still waiting for the insurance to approve the Petscan. I'm not really sure why he chose petscan instead of a CT scan or MRI.

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  • Missmom79
    Missmom79 Member Posts: 202
    edited December 2019

    bd_55, I believe petscan can be combined with CT. How elevated are they ? They can mean other things as well.


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  • bd_55
    bd_55 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2019

    At first he said that her APL was 145 everything else was fine. They rechecked and APL is 119 just 3 points above their normal range. But her ATL and AST elevated AST is 41 and ALT is 78. Just a bit above average range. I know she always has elevated liver enzymes before diagnosed with bc due to her statin medication, fatty liver and being over weight. I understand Doctor needs to figure out what's going on but having a petscan makes me assume right away he thinks she might have cancer else where.

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  • bd_55
    bd_55 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2019

    Just got a call from the Oncologist office that the insurance denied the petscan so they are going to do a CT of the Abdomen and pelvis and bone scan next Friday. I'm praying for good results.

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  • Lulu44
    Lulu44 Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2019

    Hello. Right before I started chemo my liver enzymes were elevated and my MO had me get CT of chest, abdomen & pelvis- checking for any Mets or inflammation on the liver in particular & it was mostly unremarkable (just some lung nodules we’re following up on) It sounds like your Mom has a diligent doctor who is proactive which is a good thing. Hoping it turns out to be a fluke like mine was.

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  • bd_55
    bd_55 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2019

    Hi Ladies! I wanted to share that today mom had her bone scan and CT of her abdomen and pelvis and the doctor called me a bit ago saying everything looked clear! I'm so beyond thankful. Thank you

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2020

    Great news!!!

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited January 2020

    Happy to hear the good news. We need to remind ourselves that sometimes even bad labs are just a snapshot in time and may not predict or define anything. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the year!

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