Hi
I've been on mtx for three weeks and the Dr's office called saying my liver count is elevated and wants to take more blood before my next dose.
Has this happened to anyone else and if so what was the result? Did You have to stop taking the mtx?
Thanks Kat
That's not so good. It usually takes longer than that for MTX to mess with your liver. They probably will pull you off of it, but they should also check out why your liver is testing this way. It could easily be another medication or some other problem with your liver.
If they take you off MTX, they will probably (and I would insist) do another blood test in a couple of weeks. This will probably indicate if MTX is the problem.
Some people cannot take MTX. But make sure that you get a complete answer on this. Like I said, 3 weeks is an awful short time for MTX to cause problems.
I agree with Deanna. I've been on MTX since March, and I've not ever had a problem with my liver. Did they do a test before they put you on the MTX? That should have been done as a baseline and to make sure there were no prior underlying problems. This is NOT something you can let slide.Deanna and Fiona Thank you for Your replys
Yes they did do blood work but it was done in June and the Dr wanted to wait a while before starting the treatment. At that time all the levels were in normal range. Since the initial blood was drawn I had an incident of Ischemic Colitis which now I wonder if this could have also caused other problems.
I was only on the Mtx for two weeks when they took this recent blood test . By the time I reached them I had already taken my third dose. I agree two weeks on Mtx is a very short time to have elevated liver counts.
I will certianly ask pointed questions.
Thanks Kat
I had elevated liver count while on mtx. I had to go off of it for a month and have a liver ultrasound. I'm now back on it, but at a reduced level. I now take 6 pills a week. I was concerned too, but I guess it's not that uncommon.It is something to be concerned about. MTX can cause liver problems. My doctor will not refill it past a certain point without the blood work. Some doctors do liver biopsies if you've been on it a long time. It can cause cirrhosis of the liver, so that isn't good.
But having problems that quickly is concerning. I don't know if the problem you had or the treatment could have caused liver problems. But do ask those pointed questions.
Kat341 - I guess everyone is a little different. I was on MTX for less than a month and my liver enzymes were elevated. I stopped for 6 weeks and they came back down. I then did the same with Arava, a MTX-like medication. On both meds my liver counts went up, but came back down after stopping the drugs. I presently do not take either drug and work with Enbrel, Celebrex and Minocyline. Best wishes.