High liver fuction tests?

[ArmyMomLisa]

So on the list of things you don't want to hear your oncologist say, "I'm perplexed" is right up there!

Has anyone had issues w/ their liver functions being high, but all else, including bilirubin being normal? (and feeling fine) This is going on 2 months now, and I do have an appt. set up by my Onc. to see a gastroenterologist for a thorough workup.

My las three tests have been:
AST - 356, 309, 371
ALT - 410, 364, 457

Anyone have any insight?

I finished my chemo June 2nd, so am a few months out (growing hair!) and am still having Herceptin until the end of January.
Dr. says this is not from any of my meds.

Thanks,
Lisa

[ElaineM]

Some medicines (cancer and other medicines) can cause a rise in the liver enzymes (ALT and AST), but it is always best to get it checked out by doing various tests, like cat scans, or pet scans or ultrasounds of the abdomen. There could also be a problem with the liver unrelated to cancer that could be causing a rise in the liver enzymes.
It sounds like your doc is doing the right thing by referring you to a specialist if he or she is unable to identify the problem.
Try eating some foods that help the liver like kale, beets, carrots, burdock root, dandelion greens or broccoli and see if they help. Some people also take milk thistle to help the liver.
Take good care of yourself.

[Jackie07]

Getting a complete check with the GI specialist is a good idea.

Waiting is always the hardest thing... Sending you good vibes.

[ArmyMomLisa]

I should add that after my first spike in numbers, I had a CT scan and all was clear. (Which was good to find out - an hour before the rehearsal and supper for my son's wedding!) We relaxed and enjoyed a wonderful weekend.

I'm really not too worried about this all, just curious if anyone else has had similar issues.

[PinkGirl]

It was awhile ago so I can't remember my numbers but mine
were high enough to get my onc's attention. I had an MRI and
everything was okay. My next blood work was six months later
and the numbers were the same. My onc. is calling these numbers
'my normal'.

[NanaJoni]

Lisa - this happened to me earlier this year when I was still doing Herceptin. Was totally unexpected but my onc called me because of his concern when it spiked. I'm also on warfarin because of pulmonary emboli and I thought that might have caused it. Went back in for a re-test every couple of weeks for two months and it just gradually went down to normal range. Never found out why but it was nerve-wracking.

[NEDenise]

Lisa,
I don't have any wisdom about liver function, but...

Congratulations on your Mother-of-the-Groom status! How exciting!

All the best to you, and the newlyweds!
Denise

[yanyan]

My numbers started to jump above the normal range after i was done with 6 chemos. My oncologist didn't think it was too big a problem because it was just slightly higher than the high normal; he said we would keep an eye on it. The numbers started to go down although they are still high. He did say that if i could do a liver biopsy but he does not think i need to. So if you are concerned, having a liver biopsy should be able to tell you the story. Some people with fatty livers have high numbers as well.

[yanyan]

Just thought of something. I am on Tri weekly herceptin just like you. I am not sure if dose dense herceptin could be the reason. I wonder if Tykerb would solve the problem. I got my liver fuction test for Nov 09, they are still higher than normal.

[CoolBreeze]

I have liver mets but normal numbers.

A lot of people who have done chemo get these off numbers, it doesn't mean much. You could have other things like steosis. I'm not sure why your doctor said he was perplexed - he should have outlined all the other reasons for it.

Anyway, if your concern is mets, it's rarely a symptom.

[adelay]

Tamoxifin can cause higher liver numbers too. Have been through the same thing you are going through. Mine are still higher than "normal". One more thing that is just a new normal for us. I'm sure all is well, take care.

[chrislynton]

Hi lisa,

im actually getting my blood test result tommorow at 5 pm but whos counting ha.
i regularly get blood tests done as want to watch all risk factors where possible. fingers crossed all goes well but i have had liver readings not good before :(

[MJo]

Just to chime in, I seem to have chronic liver function fluctuations. I can't tell you how many blood tests I've had since I was diagnosed in November 2005. I have high cholesterol and fatty liver. I'm trying hard now to eat healthy and exercise.