Liver Enzyme Levels ???

mbhamel · 02-09-2012, 03:06 PM

Does anyone know anything about liver enzyme levels? Mine were ALP= 147, AST=47, and ALT=39 at my last blood test. My onc says the 147 for ALP is high so she wants to run some more bloodwork. My lab report says 30-110 is normal from ALP online I found on Livestrong and other sites normal can be up to 147. I'm just hoping I don't have any liver or bone mets. She said she is doing the other bloodwork in 3 weeks when I come back for my Herceptin so I don't think it is that urgent or that bad an issue but just wanted to check if anyone knows about these things. I was taking 5mg of Hydrocodone a couple times a day but her nurse said that wouldn't be enough to do it.

NanaJoni · 02-09-2012, 03:40 PM

I had alkaline phosphotase levels go very high last year - was having problems with pneumonia and radiation damage to my lung. My onc assured me it was probably nothing but he did a CA2729 and some additional bloodwork. Went slowly back to within normal range over several weeks and has stayed there.

CoolBreeze · 02-09-2012, 05:17 PM

I don't think those tests are very reliable. I have liver mets and have always had normal liver enzymes. My mother died of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and hers were normal until the end too, which is amazing as she basically had almost no liver function for about 2 years.

I have been reading woman's cancer stories for several years now and I see reports of these enzymes jumping and there being nothing wrong all the time. So, don't worry too much. While it could indicate something, it just as likely to be a fluke.

mbhamel · 02-27-2012, 08:01 PM

The oncologist ran the other blood tests one for Vitamin D and a GGT. They both came back normal. My ALP is now 149. She wants me to go for a liver Ultrasound and bone scan. I am really scared that this has spread. I was Stage IIB with no lymph node involvement and did the 4 AC 12 Taxol/Herceptin and am now on Herceptin every three weeks. It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed. I was wondering does anyone know what the percentage is of people with no lymph node involvement and mets. I was thinking the Herceptin would prevent it from happening. I have a 12 and 15 year old and 2 grown children I need to be here for them. My son asked me the other day when I will be normal again. It is so sad. Just want it to go away.

Jackie07 · 02-27-2012, 09:09 PM

Hi,

On the 'Calling all Stage IV Sisters' thread, you can find quite a few members who were diagnosed with liver mets and are currently 'NED' (No Evidence of Disease).

I've seen a report not long ago stating that Herceptin help 'cure' Her2+++ breast cancer in 37% (47%?)of the cases. A lot of progress has been made in the Her2 +++ breast cancer field. Certainly hope your scan will come back clean. But even if it's not, there's a good chance that it will be within a year or two after treatment.

Having young children while undergoing cancer treatment is tough. Have you contacted "Cleaning for a reason' (they provide free house cleaning to cancer patients in cities/areas where services are available.) Be sure to check with your local/hospital social workers for assistance. Perhaps there's a special program for children whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment?

Pray · 02-28-2012, 06:01 AM

Hi, I'm sorry you have to go through all of this worrying. My liver levels go up a lot and it has never been mets. I am praying for you and your family that your tests will be normal.

Gods blessings to you and your family,

MCS · 02-29-2012, 10:12 AM

in December I think I posted a similar concern.
My ALT and AST were out of range. My doctor asked me if i was taking Tylenol and or antibioitcs. YES. I was taking Nyquil every night, which along with the alcohol! has acetimenophen (Tylenol) and antibiotics for an infection. And i was taking other meds for allergies, mucinex.
I got off of all. And my tests came back within the range again.
My GP said, if I was sick he would put me on antibiotics because he was not going to run the risk of pneumonia etc for the sake of this elevated numbers.
But I know how you feel. Every time I see an italic number out of range in my results I become concerned and run to the web and to this site for information.
Hope this helps a little

xoxo

maria (mcs)