seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I'm a bit concerned as I have not been on any Abx/anti-malarials for a month approximately. I start tomorrow.
My concern is my ALT remains above normal range even off everything. Normal is 9-47. Mine is 54. My AST is fine.
My ALT was elevated on Malarone as well around the same level. Prior to this, my ALT was in the 20-30 range.
Is this bad news that my ALT does not go down even off meds now? I take some milk thistle and NAC daily.
Is my liver failing or something? No doctor has said anything to me when the result is abnormal. I don't know what to think. A month ago, my LLMD's office just forwarded one of their standard form letter docs saying to take Milk Thistle, which I already do????
I don't send them all my results anymore when other docs order tests as I was pretty disappointed at my last phone consult when I realized my doctor didn't look at anything I was ever forwarding. That kind of hurt. I spent a lot of time making efforts to get them stuff diligently.
I think my expectations are just too high for the medical profession. I think docs want to see my case as a puzzle, but that's not reality. I'm just one patient of a bazillion and another check for the account. Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I can see why you would be concerned since it's still abnormal. But maybe it is "normal" for you??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Good point Lymetoo. I guess I get concerned as it used to be 20-30 and not is mid 50s. The highest it ever got was when I was on Mepron for a while. it hit low 70s which still isn't horrendous.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Don't worry about it until it triples and keeps rising. When the number gets to about 150, then come off and give your liver time to heal.
You'll be fine, it happens to a lot of people during babesia treatment.
Oh, and that's also why no one has said anything to you, especially your LLMD. Increase your Milk Thistle by double what you currently take. It won't hurt you. Look into it first obviously so that you feel comfortable doing it, but it'll be fine.
So sit back and relax. The same thing happened to me.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Although my liver enzymes have been fine for some time, they have been elevated in the past. I think Lyme may cause this.
It is good you are taking supplements for it. You may want to ask your doctor if it would help to increase these supplements since your enzymes are slightly elevated.
Good luck restarting treatment tomorrow.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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quote:Originally posted by METALLlC BLUE: Don't worry about it until it triples and keeps rising. When the number gets to about 150, then come off and give your liver time to heal.
You'll be fine, it happens to a lot of people during babesia treatment.
Oh, and that's also why no one has said anything to you, especially your LLMD. Increase your Milk Thistle by double what you currently take. It won't hurt you. Look into it first obviously so that you feel comfortable doing it, but it'll be fine.
So sit back and relax. The same thing happened to me.
This sure sounds like medical advice. WE can't trust a layperson's medical advice and ignore a potential problem, just because it is "all explained by Lyme and Co." I know you understand that.
Seek- you said you ARE OFF the antimalarials/abx, right?
Did the doctor suggest retesting in another several weeks? My husband had one high reading (for no reason we know of- no meds or anything). Next time it was tested it was normal.
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Not eating red meat sometimes helps to lower liver enzymes.
Posts: 7 | From NY | Registered: Mar 2009
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
quote:This sure sounds like medical advice. WE can't trust a layperson's medical advice and ignore a potential problem, just because it is "all explained by Lyme and Co." I know you understand that.
Note the disclaimer:
"I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust."
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
No problem. Of course I understand no one here is qualified to provide true medical advice. I take all with a grain of salt, but appreciate advice. Teapot, I do not eat red meat 99% of the time.
I am OFF all Abx/anti-malarials. That's what concerns me. Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
ALT is a transferase enzyme important important in detoxification. it is supposed to be in the liver but some is always found in the blood. When what is found in the blood goes up, it implies that there is more leaking out of the liver, or that the removal of it from the blood is delayed. Some labs have a higher threshhold for calling it elevated, but generally put the upper limit of normal at 40-60. Anything over 30 signals a problem in my experience. Medications are known to cause elevations, but elevations are also seen in individuals not on medication. Elevations are also seen in people with gluten digestion problems.
Posts: 442 | From Biddeford, ME | Registered: Nov 2007
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I take some milk thistle and NAC daily. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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