Concerned about latest lab tests

finallyoverit
finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
edited February 2020 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I have an appointment with my MO tomorrow, but I just received copies of my latest lab work. Both my ast and alt have doubled since Dec. I’ll talk to my doctor about it tomorrow, but I’m seriously scared. They were both fine 2 months ago, but as we all know, the next crisis can be right around the corner. I feel like I could throw up.

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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited February 2020

    Finally, I don’t know what treatment you are on, but sometimes medications can cause an increase in AST and ALT. My levels went from the very low normal levels to over 200 after two months on Afinitor. I know that other medications can have similar impact. I had scans two weeks ago because my MO was concerned, and lo and behold, all my liver mets are shrinking! I have an appointment with my MO next week, but I think we will just go with the flow. I hope you get encouraging news when you meet with your MO.

    Hugs and prayers from, Lynne

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  • Piggy99
    Piggy99 Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2020

    Finallyoverit, at the beginning of last year my ALT/AST went from 16/18 one month to 61/48 the next month. Even though they were both only mildly above the upper limit of normal, the quadrupling of the ALT freaked me out. The doctor didn't call to say anything about the numbers (I didn't have an appointment that month), and they came down the next month and I had three clean scans since (knock on wood).

    I know it's hard not to panic, but liver enzymes can jump for many reasons unrelated to cancer - I'm hoping that's the case for you, and they come back down shortly.

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  • sbaaronson
    sbaaronson Member Posts: 230
    edited February 2020

    I think it’s the med’s. I had a similar thing happen and they came down the next month. My AST is still a smidge outside the normal range. Back in the old days, my liver enzymes were always normal, on the low side.

    I have a thing I am trying out... it’s a “I’m snot going to lose my shit over it until I know it’s real!” It’s been helpful on several occasions!

    Hang in there FinallyOverIt!

    Stacey

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2020

    Thanks everyone. They have always been fine, so when I saw them double with the latest round of bloodwork, I freaked a bit. I’m just on Ibrance and Femara.. Lupron shots monthly and Zometa every quarter. I’ll see my MO this afternoon. I’m concerned but I know he wouldn’t have pushed them to my portal to see if there was any huge concern.

    <fingers crossed

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2020

    Guess I should add.. I only have bone mets. Next scans are in April. Concerned because this is something different.. they haven’t doubled like this in the almost3 years I’ve been stage iv.

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2020

    Home from the doctor. He’s not concerned at all. Said my alk phos and my bilirubin are fine, so he’s not concerned. He went back through previous test results, knowing that I was worried and they were elevated once last year and came back down. Said if the cancer had spread to my liver, they would not have come back down. He chalked it up to “a fatty liver”. Next up, scans in 2 months.

    I freaking hate cancer! Never know when it’s going to rear its ugly head.. back to living 2 months at a time and to dosomething about this “fatty liver”.

    Thanks for talking me off the ledge last night, ladies. You totally get it.. and for that I’m forever grateful.

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited February 2020

    Well...I have tumor in liver...and today my ALT and AST went from 39 & 34 (2 weeks ago) to 300 and 230!!!! I am freaking out!!!! I have to go get a hepatitis test Thursday and see the doctor...she told me to stop my Xeloda....

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2020

    oh wow, Nicole. I think I would feel the same way. I just hate the unpredictability of this disease. I hope your doc is able to get that under control quickly for you

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited February 2020

    Finallyoverit, in years past (before mets) my liver enzymes had a tendency to rise and fall. No mets or anything. The Doctors finally declared that I have Gilbert's disease. It's one of those things where weird liver things happen.

    These days my LFTs are high and are always high. Once I saw my MO two days after I got back from Christmas in Mexico. LFTs were through the roof and he freaked out. I kept saying "Mexican tequila" and he'd freak out more. Insisted on an ultrasound. Of course it came back normal and over the next two weeks the LFTs went down. Maybe next time he'll listen when I say "Mexican tequila". Probably not. The liver seems to be his red button spot.

    This is just to illustrate that anything could be happening. Do not panic.

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