Liver levels Rising

[Maryanne]

Would anyone here have any info on Herceptin and high liver levels?

Finished 4 a/c then 4 taxol with herceptin, will be on herceptin for total of a year. All scans negative as well as node negative at time I started treatment. Got a call from my onc last week telling me my liver levels rose when I started herceptin, lowered some then back up again and feels it could be the herceptin.....after calculating ....this has been going on now since mid March. Had cat scan today of chest, neck, and pelvis with iodone contrast I.V. as well as drink, and now await the results.....of course I am panicing!!!!!
Has this happened to anyone???? or does anyone have any info that this could happen?
Maryanne

[al from Canada]

Maryanne,

Don't panic...it's likely it could be an anomoly.
Which one of your emzimes are elevated and what are the readings?

Al

[Maryanne]

Hi Al,
Thank you for getting back to me......confused and scared as I am new to this I didnt ask. Dumb on my part I know. I will call my onc tomorrow and ask...hopefully tomorrow will be a good day and I will get good results. I will let you know which ones they are.
again Thank you,
Maryanne

[al from Canada]

Maryanne,

Don't sweat this, there are many, many reasons, for "liver counts" to rise: chemo, neupogen, wine, muscle injury, brused bone.....
kudos to your onc for being pro-active, the only problem is that it stresses the patient!

See what you can find-out and stay cool. I think my wifes enzimes have been all normal maybe three times in the past 2 years.

Al

[Christine]

Maryann
When taking chemotherapy your liver can react from the toxicity of the chemicals. It happened to me after taking adjuvant therapy when I was first diagnosed 15 yrs ago. At the time I was Stage 1 no nodes. CMF was my therapy(Cytoxin,Methotreate, 5 FU). MY ONC monitored my liver values for 3 or 4 mos before it recovered. I never had liver mets, and you should be able to recover as well . The liver can rejuvenate. Liver mets are fairly common, and so your onc is cautious by ordoring scans and tests.
I drink a special tea made by Celestial Seasonings, called AM Detox, it's made with Milk Thisel and good for cleansing the liver AFTER YOUR cHEMOTHERAPY IS OVER. It is a wellness tea and can be ordered on-line or found at your nearest Heath Stores. Hope I helped. Let us know your progress.
Hugs, Christine

[Maryanne]

Christine,

Thanks so very much for getting back to me on this.
I have heard of this tea, but am not sure if I should be taking it right now, as I am on Herceptin, but no other chemo. Would it be ok to go ahead and start the de-tox, or do I wait til next April once Herceptin is over.
Again thank you,
Maryanne