LymeNet Flash: Elevated liver functions

This is topic Elevated liver functions in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by jo3 (Member # 6317) on :

What the heck does that mean?! 3 years ago before I was even diagnosed, I had "abnormal" liver functions. Of course, no one knew what it was and I even had a biopsy done with no end result. After reading so much about Lyme, I came to realize that this is one of the symptoms.

I was given Milk Thistle (175 mg- twice a day) but I don't know if this is enough. Wal-Mart had another one with 1000 mg. but I was afraid I'd overdose on whatever this is.

Does anyone know what elevated liver functions (enzymes?)is? What does the Milk Thistle do and will there be any side effects? You know the story- you take a pill to make you feel better and it screws up something else!
Thanks for the help!

Posted by Neil M Martin (Member # 2357) on :

Jo3

The liver is a complicated organ, and yours of course needs the evaluation of a Lyme literate and liver literate Dr.

I believe elevated liver enzymes indicate liver stress, breakdown or destruction.

There are several posts on this subject.

How elevated are your enzymes?

In 2002 my metabolic panel indicated elevated enzymes. I was on a course of long term IV antibiotics. My LLND took me off IVs for two weeks or so and put me on IV Penn G (which did not seem helpful). I took NAC and milkthistle sold by the naturopath, which I suspect is superior to that which W****** sells.

For decent silibinin or silimarin ( milk thistle extract) see http://www.LEF.org

Then my LLND put ~5 cc glutathione into my IV bags before infusing IV antibiotics. From thence I did not have elevated enzymes.

I hope this helps.

Neil

Posted by chainsaw joe (Member # 5490) on :

Ever since I became sick I had elavated bilirubin,which can be a sign of bartonella.since being treated with cipro and rifampin for bartonella my bilirubin has come back to normal.I also started taking milk thistle (solaray one a day) and I do believe that helps.Is it any individual enzyme like bilirubin that is elevated,do you have a copy of your chemistry blood test?

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

Elevated liver enzymes
any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures.

Be sure to drink plenty of water keep flushing.Milk thistle is said to help the liver.
To many or to high of a dose of abx's can do that biaxin will elevate liver enzymes as long as it goes back down over time. Also the liver is the organ that cleans the blood to many dead spirochetes ie herx can bring them up also.