Blood test and elevated ALT concerned

[Sodp]

Sept last year had multiple stents fitted .on regular medicine of rosuvastatin 40mg, ticagrelor 90 , aspirin 100 and bisoprolol 2.5mg.I had general test after 3 months of stent and my ALT was 48 within a good range. 6 months test shows it is now elevated to 76 . Everything else seems to be normal..slight raise in CK but within a safe range. I am now worried, mg GP says it must be statin and to request my Cardiologist to reduce my statin dose and do next test in 3 months. However my cardiologist is reluctant to change even my total cholesterol is 2.1

LDL 0.8

Tri 0.7

Hdl 1.0

I am 44,quite fit always and now I am doing good diet, exercises and walk regularly.

Does statin elevate ALT? Should I request for further testing?

If I change or reduce statin will that make any differences?

I am not seeing my cardio for months now . What is the best things I should do at the moment,

If anyone had a similar experience please share and any suggestions be appreciated.

Thanks in advance🙏

[Norton]

Hi Sodp

I asked a similar question a few weeks ago and given the replies it seems to be a reasonably common issue

My Gp didn’t change my dose of statin just retested two weeks later I’m waiting on the results

Some statins are kinder to the liver than others but do their job just as well

Perhaps discuss with Gp retest before you go back to see cardiologist or if you have a cardiology advice line affiliated to your local hospital give them a call

[Sodp in reply to Norton]

Thanks Norton good luck for your next result. My gp suggested to reduce rosuvastatin to 20mg after permission from cardiologist and do next test in 3 months as my cholesterol is good now. I am not seeing my cardiologist for next 4 weeks and wondering what will be the best option ahead for now.

Please let us know how you went with your next test, hope everything works well for you.

[marypw]

Yes, statins can raise your liver function tests - I had to switch from atorvastatin to simvastatin and mine are fine now. Your ALT is only a little bit elevated so nothing to get too worried about right now but it does need monitoring. Maybe ask the GP if you can try a different one? In my experience, it’s normally the GP that looks after statins, antihypertensives etc

[Sodp in reply to marypw]

Thanks marypw that was a good news, switching helped you. Hopefully mine improve in my next test ..yes since I have a cardiologist I see on a regular basis. My GP only suggested that but want to me consult my cardiologist before he changes to lower doses.

[Manhattan1]

hopefully it’ll be ik.. i also have elevated liver funct.. probably connected to my NAFLD… on simvastatin 40mg daily but do tors never suggest changing it.. tell yoy what though.. i wish i had your Egfr. mine is 31 .. bloody CKD! 😂

[Sodp in reply to Manhattan1]

Thanks Manhattan1 , yes I was on rosuvastatin 20 mg and it was normal as soon as I moved to 40 mg post stent It went up. I don't know if my cardiologist will agree to reduce a dose . I saw lots of people mentioned that reduced statin dose or switch ing to other type helped them reduce ALT and AST ..maybe you need to discuss that with your cardiologist again and re test.

[Henri33]

My experience of bisoprolol is in a simpler and much different situation, however, it tends to reduce my blood pressure to levels about 95/55

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Henri33]

Well Bisoprolol did not agree with me after 1½ year taking it in the morning! I switched taking it in the evening but I felt forever exhausted throughout the day, sleepy when at home in the afternoon! I also took Atorvastatin but then stopped that due to causing me more discomfort in my legs! I was diagnosed with vascular disease in my legs after my heart attack February 2019 as well!

I read the side effects of both medications, checked the contra-indications and bingo, both are a contra-indication to vascular disease in your legs! I stopped both January 2021! Since then my legs are coping better with walking and gardening etc! But walking quick like I used to, sadly not! Life sometimes 🤔🤷