Hi Everyone. This is my first time posting. I'm 34 and was diagnosed with Lyme in June. I have been on abx for 4 weeks (Mino & Rifampin). I found out the other day that my liver enzymes are elevated (AST & ALT both under 100).
LLMD is not concerned yet, but will continue to monitor. I have also been having some blood sugar issues, which I imagine are due to this.
Just looking for thoughts and support. Is it common for liver enzymes to elevate when on abx? I've read a lot on here about people taking breaks when things seem to get too intense.
I want to be strong and not give up easily, but I also want to protect my body as much as possible.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Talk to your LLMD about pulsing the drugs...Days on, days off to give the liver time to recover.
But...
Google: Rifampin liver
This is going to sound strange, but talk to your LLMD about using D-mannose (to "lure") added to Minocycline therapy and IMO, get off Rifampin.
I would assume your LLMD is knowledgeable about the *mannose binding lectin pathway* that a protein Bb pick up in the tick's saliva inhibits - p8 - as well as SALP 15 and a tick histamine release factor in the tick's saliva too which ultimately impacts IgG1k - antibody to OspB (outer surface protein, B).
That antibody is supposed to *inhibit histamine release*. It doesn't work.
The liver has to breakdown MOST drugs. The kidneys breakdown some.
In some instances, it is the breakdown product of a drug that "does in" the offender/offender cell.
Such is the case with the metabolites of Tamoxifen, for example. The metabolites are the "helpers". These *active metabolites* compete with estrogen in the body for binding to the estrogen receptor.
Just as it is the metabolite of Claritin:
Desloratadine (Clarinex), the major active metabolite of loratadine (Claritin)...
Desloratadine is a tricyclic antihistamine, which has a
selective and peripheral H1-antagonist action.
H1 = histamine receptors...like those on macrophages (think of them as "pac men" engulfing Bb's body parts, but releasing nasty inflammatory cytokines).
So...talk to your LLMD about Mino + D mannose + Claritin.
I know...HUGE learning curve! Take your time.
Posted by egc80 (Member # 46507) on :
Thank you for the info Marnie. I will talk to my LLMD about that.
I've been taking 500mg of NAC daily for 2 months to help support my liver. Thoughts on NAC?
Posted by S13 (Member # 42830) on :
Rifampin typically causes liver enzymes to rise. You cant pulse rifampin though. When you stop taking rifampin your body will actually start to make antibodies to the rifampin, so when you restart you get a nasty flu like immune reaction. So no stopping and restarting please!
You could lower the dosage of rifampin, or add some liver protecting herbs like milk thistle.
Keep monitoring your enzyme levels like your doc suggested. If they dont go too high you may be able to stay on the current dose. Below 100 should be ok, but if it goes beyond that i would start to worry.
Posted by S13 (Member # 42830) on :
- weird double post -
Posted by egc80 (Member # 46507) on :
Thank you so much for the reply S13. I was just thinking about taking a couple days off from Rifampin, so I will make sure to NOT do that now!
Like I said, my levels were checked last week and will be checked again next week. My regular GP is doing this (per my LLMD) and he supports my Lyme diagnosis.
Do you think it's enough to be testing my levels every other week or should I be doing it weekly?
Posted by S13 (Member # 42830) on :
I cant really advice on that. If you are worried, discuss it with your GP.
I personally had my enzymes checked every 3 weeks. After a rifampin dose increase all of a sudden my ALT went up to 264. So i lowered my dose from 1500mg/day to 600mg/day and rechecked about 10 days later. By then the ALT had dropped back to 170 and continued to decline.
With only 1200mg/day my ALT/AST levels were stable around 40-50ish. I think the 1500 was just a bit too much for me...
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :