posted
I have been reading through some posts and wonder for those who had elevated liver enzymes, how long it took your liver enzymes to get back in check after they went up.
My recent history. For a solid year of treatment my AST and ALT levels were fine. Shortly after starting bicillin shots they became slightly elevated. Fast forward 3 months into taking bicillin, they got high enough the doc took me off all meds and put me on liver detox.
Week 0: ASL: 114 ALT: 211
Week 1: Stopped ABX and into liver detox after discussing blood work with doctor
Week 3: Doc not too concerned...often sees spike after starting detox. ASL:147 ALT: 314
Week 4: 4 weeks since stopping ABX. Doc a little more concerned. ASL: 141 ALT: 324
At 4 weeks into liver detox and no ABX the enzyme levels are elevated but didn't seem to change much. The doc wants to test again in 2 weeks and if not improving by then do an ultrasound and a hepatitis panel.
Has anyone elses liver taken a while to recover? I very strongly doubt it is hepatitis complications as I had tested for Hep B and C in early September while getting some other blood tests done. Negative. I am a young, athletic man so diabetis and fatty liver complication aren't likely. It all seemed to start going wrong when I started bicillin.
Posts: 35 | From Western, MD | Registered: May 2013
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Sorry to hear of this, I know it must be disappointing. Sometimes, there are just certain Rx that either, alone, or just a point in time - cause our liver to just say "nope" - just remember, it's not the end of the road.
You say that you do "liver detox" and that "detox" term can mean a million things, sometimes it can be too harsh. Sometimes, push too much and not provide the real nutrients that allow the liver to work. It should not be too strong yet must be assertive so that's a fine line to reach.
Sometimes, the "detox" protocol is just not comprehensive enough.
Since you say your doctor is guiding you on that, I'm less concerned, still, a LL ND would have better background in nutrients that will nourish the liver.
If at all possible, a LL ND would be best to guide you. How to find on in the link below.
You also say that you are " . . . a young, athletic man so diabetes and fatty liver complication aren't likely. . . ." (end quote)
Actually, lyme is just one infection that can cause both fatty liver disease (as reversible condition) & also can cause diabetes (also very possibly reversible with infection attention and lifestyle) - in anyone, any age, even if in "good shape".
Still, lyme / TBD can cause a lot of damage to the liver / kidneys and treatment can also stress these organs that metabolize all our metabolic waste.
Lyme can also cause hepatitis - again, in anyone, any age. And, sadly, Rx required to treat can add to that risk.
First, be sure to avoid acetaminophen as can really harm the liver (check all your OTC items, it's in so much). Detail in this set, along with what can help.
I would also AVOID ALL ALCOHOL TINCTURES - unless you have babesia and are using cryptolepis. There are a few herbals that only come / work in tincture form. This is one of those.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
[ 10-16-2014, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For many who experienced various roadblocks or blips on the screen regarding Rx treatment (either for tolerance or access issues), they have found RIFE to be a good choice. You might just want to take a look at this approach.
How to find an ILADS educated LL professional in complementary fields (naturopathic, acupuncture, etc.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Search "liver" here:
Though not at all about lyme, this is one of the best reference resources on my bookshelf that has wonderful chapters, many graciously available through their website.
The ONE EARTH HERBAL SOURCEBOOK (Tillotson, et.al.)
He is a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine; She a doctor of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncturist. The third co-author is a doctor of optometry. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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TNT
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 42349
posted
Hi MTMT,
I don't know how long it will take for the enzymes to normalize, but I just talked to a friend the other day who said her daughter has had a little trouble with this in the past, but now that she has started taking Cryptolepis, her liver enzymes are always very good.
She is on IV Rocephin, and she no longer has liver enzyme elevations since she has been taking Cryptolepis.
Posts: 1308 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Milk Thistle can be very helpful for this problem.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I am taking a good bit of milk thistle, N-aceytl cysteine, and alpha lipoic acid. I was also instructed to eat lots of beets, kale, and brussel sprouts and lower my protein intake. The doc doesn't want me to take anything labeled "liver detox" saying it may be too harsh.
It seems like many people on here have elevated enzymes (values usually not listed) and they have always went back down but no time lines were ever provided.
Posts: 35 | From Western, MD | Registered: May 2013
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
If you read some of my old posts you would find that when my daughters enzymes were 16X normal and we had to get them down quickly we used dandelion tea, beet root juice, fresh ginger and turmeric tea(just add the turmeric to the tea) and we got the enzymes down in 2 months..
posted
Fast forward a month and not much has improved and even my doctor is stumped.
Week 0: ASL: 114 ALT: 211
Week 1: Stopped ABX and into liver detox after discussing blood work with doctor
Week 3: Doc not too concerned...often sees spike after starting detox. ASL:147 ALT: 314
Week 4: 4 weeks since stopping ABX. Doc a little more concerned. ASL: 141 ALT: 324
Week 6: Finally going down ASL: 88 ALT: 186
Week 8: Current state, going the wrong direction ASL: 99 ALT: 207
After the news today 8 months in it is hard to not to be coping with anxiety. My doc and I though things were finally a path back to normal at week 6 but at week 8 the enzymes have creeped back up.
I have not had a drop of alcohol in months and have been eating lots of liver detox friendly foods. I have been taking a lot of milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid, and n-acetyl cysteine. The doc wants me to stop the supplements for now and continue the detox friendly diet thinking maybe the detox supplements are keeping things elevated. Retest in 2 weeks and if there is not a significant improvement perform additional blood tests and a sonogram.
The doc had me take an acute hepatitis panel. It came back negative. Nor does the doc suspect fatty liver problems as I do not drink much alcohol and am a very healthy weight and physical build. Liver enzymes were perfect for 14 months of treatment and then WHAM...and they are not going down as they should.
Any other thoughts of what could be going on here? It is hard to keep my mind from worrying. It is not very reassuring when the doctor is stumped.
Posts: 35 | From Western, MD | Registered: May 2013
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
I hate to even say this because if your doc is not lyme literate, and you suggest this, you may get ridiculed out of the office.
The testing for them is even worse than for lyme...
Liver flukes.
Other protozoa.
Has your LLMD treated parasites yet?
This is just a suggestion, obviously I am not a medical professional.
From the (gulp, sorry, quickest I could find) CDC (ahg the basterds!!!! Hate them) website:
"During both phases of the infection, clinical features can include fever, malaise, abdominal pain, eosinophilia, hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver), and abnormal liver tests."
Treatment suggested is Triclabendazole and Ivermectin.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
Maybe the ALA is mobilizing heavy metals and those are now bombarding your liver? Just a thought...
Posts: 381 | From The Netherlands | Registered: Nov 2013
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Could also be a hidden coinfection. IIRC, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia can elevate liver enzyme levels...
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
My doc seems to be a well respected and well informed doctor. Lyme and related disease is all this doctor does.
S13, interestingly enough when I started taking the ALA my enzymes very quickly shot up.
Razzle and Greta, I was treated briefly last November/December for possible Babesia. I had a herx where bumps showed up all over my body but my doc took me off that treatment because I did not show the tell tale babesia herx reactions.
Right before my liver enzymes shot up I also took a 2 month treatment for bartonella but did not get any noticeable herx so the doc doesn't think that is an issue. I had to stop that and the Lyme antibiotics mid September.
My doctor never discussed any other co-infections with me.
Overall I feel well and energetic. Unfortunately symptoms are starting to come back, most notably knee discomfort issues. I seemed so close to victory and now this.
I appreciate the feed back. I will research some of your recommendations.
Posts: 35 | From Western, MD | Registered: May 2013
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Regarding length of time for liver enzymes to return to normal:
Years ago, I had a friend whose liver enzymes became elevated about 6 weeks into taking Mepron for babesiosis. She began to turn yellow (got a mild yellow color to her skin).
It took 6 months for her liver enzymes to return to normal. So, no treatment for her that entire time.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
LymeToo, I am on no other medications. I am only 30 and have no need to other medications at this point in my life. I had taken a fair amount of ibuprofen the past two weeks because of the knee pain coming back. It doesn't releive the pain much. I will just push through the heavy pain if it comes back until I retest in two weeks.
I will say that after I looked at all the blood tests the doctor wants me to take in two weeks. I sure hope it is nothing else. It is going to be really hard to keep mentally sane the next two weeks until I get results back.
It is good to know others have had similar issues with prolonged liver enzyme levels. There is some comfort in that I am not alone.
Posts: 35 | From Western, MD | Registered: May 2013
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