Chemo, Liver Enzymes, and Working Out

[OzzieJ]

Today I went in for cycle 3 of my 6 rounds of Decetaxel. I got my bloods taken yesterday and when I got there the nurse said my liver enzyme readings were high so they wanted to re-check them.

From last cycle (15 Dec) to yesterday (3 Jan) to today (4 Jan):

ALT went from 41 to 89 to 92.

AST went from 33 to 203 to 143.

All my other bloods were good.

As a result my chemo was cancelled and pushed out to my next session in 3 weeks time.

Has anyone else experience of this? I did a CrossFit intensive weights work out the day before my first blood test. I now read online that intense weight lifting could have a significant impact on these liver enzyme readings. I wasn't aware of this so definitely something to watch in the future. The fact that my AST is coming down so fast would lead me to believe or hope that this is culprit and not the chemo.

Also is there likely to be a major impact on my treatment by pushing the session out 3 weeks. Should I push to get new bloods and back in next week? (They said there were no slots).

Many thanks

[Tall_Allen]

Those aren't greatly elevated, but it is better to be cautious.

[OzzieJ]

Yep. The more I read about this it is better not to do any heavy lifting a few days before. I'm pretty convinced the ALT and AST rise is from the lifting but as TA says once the medics have the numbers in front of them they have to play it safe. Good news is that they are now just holding off one week for my next session. I'll also ask my consultant for advice on how to proceed as I don't want to stop all training during chemo. The ironic thing is that it is the last week of the cycle where I feel good enough to go a bit harder in the gym and that's when the blood draw is. Thanks.

[JPOM in reply to OzzieJ]

Should be watching Alk. Phos. as well.

[OzzieJ in reply to JPOM]

Alk. Phos. and other liver markers like GGT and bilirubin were fine all along. Got another blood test this morning and AST and ALT were back to normal. So it's pretty conclusive to me that the spike was due to intensive weight training and not from my liver. They are going to see if they can get me in for next chemo on Wednesday. Thanks.

[JPOM in reply to OzzieJ]

Great. I wasn't as lucky. Liver cancer, heading for hospice soon. Stay well, friend.

[OzzieJ in reply to JPOM]

Thinking of you and best wishes. Thank you.