Yet another Met cyster with high liver enzymes

~Sandra · 10-22-2003, 07:52 PM

It’s like a freaking epidemic around here lately! I have to be re-tested next week but I’m guessing I’ll have to come off of the Met as my levels were ridiculously high.

I’m not posting to scare anyone, instead as just a reminder about how important it is to have regular testing.

My Endo was completely negligent and here I sit with possible permanent liver damage. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it; maybe you guys have some suggestions?

Here’s some background:
I had researched Met extensively prior to my first appt with my Endo. He diagnosed me with PCOS and wrote me out a prescription for Met. I asked about liver and kidney testing and got the answer of, “It’s not necessary unless you’re elderly or have a history of liver/kidney problems.” I took his word for it, I mean, who am I to argue? He treats tons of diabetics every day with Met, who’s the expert? Fast forward to every follow up: I would ask about testing and get the same answer. I started to trust him. I felt fine and was loving how the Met made me feel. Fast forward to being released by my Endo back to my GP: I had a regular check-up last week and asked about testing. My GP made me feel like I was being a bit paranoid, “Welllll, if you’re realllly worried about it, I suppose we could test it.” And guess what? Elevated liver enzymes! I was so mad I was shaking when I found out.
What should I do about my Endo being so fricking “head in the sand”? Any opinions? And please don’t tell me that I should have found a different Dr. or that I should have “shopped around.” I live on an island that has 3 Endos. I’ve seen all 3 and this one was the only one to diagnose me with PCOS.

Dixie Lee · 10-22-2003, 11:12 PM

How high were your liver enzymes? Mine were 52 and that is 12 above normal. I hate to hear this and yet another person with it. It scared me so I know how you feel. I hope you can get the answer's you need from your GP. What is the treatment now? Take care and I am here to talk.

~Sandra · 10-22-2003, 11:21 PM

The lab value units must be different. I'm in Canada and normal ALT levels are 10-55 U/L. Mine was 165 U/L.

The weird thing is that I'm not even really scared about it. I'm more mad at my Endo for not testing it even after I asked. It might sink in after I see my GP and get re-tested. The nurse that I spoke to said they'll want to re-test and if it's still high, go off the Met and then test again. If it's still high after being off the Met for a while I'll have to see a specialist to determine what's causing it.

What are you doing for your high levels?

Dixie Lee · 10-22-2003, 11:27 PM

my first test was so high so he took them again to see if it was a lab error. Then they came back higher than the first one. He decided to keep me on the meds and test me again in Jan. which is 2 months. If they are high then I have to come off the gluch. I dont want to either. I have heard that excersing release's AST and caused your enzymes to be high but I have always excercised so I dont think that is my reason. I had the same liver test done in May 2002 and mine was 19. I have went from low to high in a year. Weird.

Jllrdh · 10-23-2003, 01:54 AM

Hi there,
I just wanted to let you know that mine were a little high, not enough to worry about at this point. But my doctor decided to run a mono test, and it came back saying I had mono in the past, I never knew I had mono, it must have happened with in the past year, because my liver enzymes were normal before then.

Just something to think about, you might have been exposed to mono, which is elevating your liver, and that may not have anything to do with the met or PCOS. You might want them to do a mono test, just to be sure. I would have never known that I had mono, I do remember being fatigued, but who isn't when they are in their late 30's.

I hope that puts a little at ease, good luck and let us know what the answers are.
Jenny

~Sandra · 10-23-2003, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jllrdh
Hi there,
I just wanted to let you know that mine were a little high, not enough to worry about at this point. But my doctor decided to run a mono test, and it came back saying I had mono in the past, I never knew I had mono, it must have happened with in the past year, because my liver enzymes were normal before then.

That makes sense, thank you! I'll mention it to my doc.

Dixie Lee · 10-23-2003, 01:58 AM

oh wow really mono? that is something I will be tested for then thanks. That is really amazing it effected your liver. That makes me feel better.

Dixie Lee · 10-23-2003, 02:01 AM

also too. My MIL told me when her gallbladder went bad her liver enzymes were elevated and they took her gallbladder out and they went way down. I am going to have mine checked also. I am trying to make so lead way with this so I dont have to come off the gluch it is the first time I have had a period naturally in 7 yrs so it is working.

~Sandra · 10-23-2003, 02:06 AM

I just had a ultrasound on my gallbladder awhile ago so that's not it for me

Can you tell I'm fishing for it to be anything but the Met?!

Dixie Lee · 10-23-2003, 02:12 AM

that is good you are ahead of the game. I need to have mine checked also. I hope you had a lab error.
I am stil searching for answers because this fatty liver is not a good enough reason. I had my alt tested when I was at my top weight and not eating good at all and mine came back at 19 normal is 40. I diet and eat right and I start on Meth and have a 52 2 months later plus my alt wasnt high when I initally started seeing my dr in July. I am not so sure. We will see though. take care.