Anyone have elevated Liver Enzymes | Arthritis Information
I just had a CBC and it said that my liver enzymes were elevated. The last time I had this happen was when I was on Remicade and the docs took me off the meds. My RA doc stopped my usage of Orenca Sept 09 and I have been on only prednisone and vitamins and an antideppresant since. I'm not sure what is causing the problem. Anyone else out there have this situation. I'm concerned it might be something worse. I have to do a follow-up appt with the doc. Thanks.
Dx. 1996
RA 14 years
Meds: Prednisone, Folic Acid Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Iron, Citalpram
I've had Ra since a teen, and at least twice a year I pop up with elevated enzymes. Usually, when they are rechecked, they are back to normal. A few times we have had to tweak meds(mainly MTX).
How high are they? My dr. always says that they pop up elevated at such low levels. It is then then are 100X's elevated that there is a problem. They are just being super cautious with us.
Hope it all works out...
A very wise veterinarian once told me that the liver is the spokesperson for the rest of the body.
There are a number of tests that fall under the "liver function tests." It would help to know which one[s] is elevated and exactly what the value[s] is, as well as if the other tests were normal.
Remember that the liver is a very forgiving organ.
Also...did you start any new meds recently?thanks for that link Sam...... I have a rehearsal dinner and a wedding this week.. I think I'll forego my blood work for a couple...... and watch my "AST"
[QUOTE=babs10]thanks for that link Sam...... I have a rehearsal dinner and a wedding this week.. I think I'll forego my blood work for a couple...... and watch my "AST" [/QUOTE]
Yes, Babs, by ALL means, watch your "AST"! LOLI hope things go well for you. I had elevated ensymes once and was on nothing. They straightened back out rather quickly. My brother had to go get test an ultra sound and so much bloodwork the hospital lab was in shock. So I am concerned for him. He does have a very good doctor and I am sure she is just covering all of the bases. My brother does not have RA that I know of. He is on psychiatric meds and that may well be what has raised his liver ensymes.my AST was 80 and my ALT were 80. Way over the normal. Yes I did start a new med Citalpram (antidepressant) I hope that is not causing it.Citalpram can demonstrate increases in liver function tests. Fluvoxamine, Citalopram. Paroxetine, Sertraline,
and nefazadone have been implicated in human hepatotoxicity.Other antidepressants involving serotonin pathways (fluoxetine,
mirtazapine, trazodone, and venlafaxine) have been linked with
hepatotoxicity.
Check with the psychiatrist prescribing this drug. Presumably it was a psychiatrist. I am staunchly opposed to anyone other than a psychiatrist prescribing psychtropic drugs. Other physicians by and large have little understanding of neurochemistry and often treat these drugs like baby aspirin.
Both ALT ans AST were 80? You're sure? Think of the odds of them being the same number. Actually 80 isn't THAT bad. High end of normal for each ALT and AST run between 35-40 and actual values have been known to go as high into the thousands for serious diseases.
Are there plans to repeat the test in another month or so?
Let me reassure you that 80 is not very high. Once again...100X the normal amount is when they get concerned. They monitor us so closely to avoid those high numbers.
Let us know what the dr. says.
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