Liver enzymes high

[Martin]

Hi everyone,

its been a while since I last posted. Lots has happened since, among other things we are expecting another baby in August (thanks to IVF) and in May I will pass the 2 year mark, counting from the RPLND (Chemo ended two years today, actually!).

We have also relocated from MA to KS and I am now seeing a new oncologist. Today was the 2nd visit (still monthly labwor, CT scan every 3 months) and he told me that all was well ... except my liver enzyme markers had gone up - again. One of them - and I can't recall the abbrev.- was already increased on the last test. It was even higher today. The other one was also elevated on this new test and wasn't previously.

I have never had elevated counts and I had been regularly tested because I was taking Lipitor. I have been off for a couple of months now, so that cannot be the issue. Liver fattening also isn't, because - as the onco says - you could see that on tht CT-scan. Since I am not an alcoholic and don't take drugs, I guess that leaves Hepatitis C is a real possibility.
The only blood transfusion I have ever had was during the RPLND and it is my understanding that all blood is now tested for Hep.C.

I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this?
Can this also be stress related, because I have plenty of that at the moment ...

Any feedback welcome.

Thanks,
Martin

[Martin]

Wish these things wouldn't always come up when my wife is pregnant. Had to wipe some tears off her face last night ...

LDH and AFP have been steady at <5 and 2 (forget which one is which just now) since I finished my 2nd cycle 2 years ago. Last test was no different. I am not taking any kind of medication at the moment.

I will have to ask what exact liver levels were elevated. Will try to find out today and get back.

Thanks for the congrats and the quick answer, Robert.

[Martin]

OK - got the info:

Dec 14: SGOT - 36 (normal)
SGPT - 56 (elevated)
Mar 07: SGOT - 41
SGPT - 88

AFP and HcG were normal throughout, as previously posted.

Also noticed this morning that the Claritin I am taking has a warning on the back of the box for people w/ liver damage. I have only been using it for about 2 weeks, so it couldn't be cause for the first elevated level, but maybe helped a little on the 2nd test results. Let message w/ onco, see what comes back.

Thanks,
Martin

[Karen]

Martin,
Congrats on the baby, clear markers and CT scan! Found this info online. Let us know what the doc tells you.

"A host of medications can cause abnormal liver enzymes levels. Examples include:

Pain relief medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), neproxen (Narosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), and phenybutazone (Butazolidine)

Anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin), valproic acid, carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenobarbital

Antibiotics such as the tetracyclines, sulfonamides, isoniazid (INH), sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, etc.

Cholesterol lowering drugs such as the “statins” (Mevacor, Pravachol, Lipitor, etc.) and niacin

Cardiovascular drugs such as amiodarone (Cordarone), hydralazine, quinidine, etc.

Anti-depressant drugs of the tricyclic type

With drug-induced liver enzyme abnormalities, the enzymes usually normalize weeks to months after stopping the medications."

[Martin]

Thanks for all the input.
I am not taking any kind of medication, prescription or OTC. I have been feeling tired & exhausted for a while now, but it is probably more related to my 12 hour work days and 5-6 hours of sleep than anything else (will get even worse in August, when the new baby is here!). I will still inquire about having my hormonal balance checked out.

I guess the hepatitis C could have only been contracted through the blood transfusion during the RPLND. I don't see how else it could have gotten in my body. The IVF was done with sperm banked pre-chemo, so nothing would have shown up then. I was not tested afterwards ...

Again, very much appreciate the feedback!

Martin

[Michael112]

I would think it is the Claritin, I doubt you would get any infection from a blood transfusion.
As for your tiredness this can be from elevated enzymes and hormones, even if your hormones apear normal I doubt they are what they were before your treatment.

Causes of elevated SGPT:

Acute MI; Biliary/liver disease; Acute pancreatitis; Musculoskeletal disease (Muscular dystrophy); Rheumatoid arthritis; Asthma; Brucellosis; Parasites, occasionally; Essential hypertension; Alcoholism; Miscellaneous (tissue injury: surgery, irradiation; stroke; Congestive heart failure).

I wouldnt be surprised if low T can cause elevated liver enzymes but its a long shot, I guess I am saying that because it seems theres a lot of undocumented side effects and I had a number of them before starting TRT, my liver enzymes were slightly out, now my last blood test which is the 1st one since starting TRT everything came back normal.