Has anyone had any problems with their liver while on Atorvastatin? What symptoms did you have?
Last few days I've had this really uncomfortable ache under my rib cage at the front, together with a day of feeling really light headed and tired, I'm putting 2 and 2 together as we do.... and hoping I've got 5
I have taken Atorvastatin for about 18 months and a recent blood test showed elevated liver enzymes. I had previously taken Simvastatin for about 10 years with no problem. My cardiologist has recommended a change of medication which I am just about to start.
Hi, did you have any symptoms at all or was it just the test that showed the elevations?
It’s difficult to be sure. I developed a pain on right side of abdomen in February and I was diagnosed with gallstones. Since then I have been waiting for hospital appointment. During that period I had the blood test as part of follow up to last year’s surgery and liver issue diagnosed. I think two are connected. I already knew I had asymptomatic gallstones. I am waiting to see if changes in medication sort this out, but until I get to see gastroenterologist I won’t know for sure
Can I ask how much they are elevated? Mine are too but they are saying unless more than 3 times normal limit stick with the statin.
Atorvastin affected my liver and they said don't worry your liver will cope but I didn't want to stay on it,they changed it to ezetimibe but that caused extreme fatigue now on rosuvastin and ok at moment,due bloods next month but if liver affected then coming off them
Morning,
I’ve been on Atorvastatin since May, had ache down my right side. Went for a blood test about a month ago and it came back with one of my Liver enzymes was elevated. I’ve got another Liver Function Test tomorrow to see what’s causing this. Two of my family have come off Atorvastatin due to side effects and gone onto different statins successfully
I haven’t got any of the side effects just the ache down my upper right side. I’ve had my gallbladder removed many, many years ago and I don’t drink alcohol and I’m not medically trained 😁
Check with your GP or pharmacist, if you’re having problems 🤗 Hope all gets sorted for you
Thank you I think I will
Can I ask how much they are elevated? Mine are too but they are saying unless more than 3 times normal limit stick with the statin.
It was less than that, but well outside normal range. The cardiologist recommended changes because I had had an angiogram prior to valve replacement and he knew that I do not have much atherosclerosis. It seems to be a balance between side effects and risk of heart event. I have however been prescribed an alternative but less effective drug to reduce cholesterol
Thank you. That's really helpful. I am similar so will raise with gp next time.
Hi Heartmum56,
My serum alkaline phosphatase level was 166 u/L and should be between 30.0-130.0.
Just back from another Liver blood test so I see from that what’s going on.
Hope this info helps, I’m still on Atorvastatin.😁
I've been prescribed Atorvastatin for almost 10 years. The initial dose was 80mg daily, but the side effects were intolerable - I was having to take codeine phosphate for muscle and joint pain. I managed to persuade the GP to reduce my dose to 40mg daily. However, my gamma GT serum level (a liver function indicator) is off the scale, so I asked for a further reduction, but the doctor said it's a simple choice: heart attack or liver failure! Liver damage from statins is well-documented.
Hi Anginalady,
I was put on 80 mg of Atorvastatin in August 2020 after very mild heart "event". An angiogram found a very small constriction in 1 of the arteries. My cholesterol has never been very high so it is bit weird that i was put on such a high dose. I did find i was tired all the time, but I did have Bradycardia, so can't say that was all from the statin. I also found my IBS became worse. The last 2 bld tests have revealed a slightly raised liver function so GP reduced my dose to 40 mg in July.. I don't feel quite so tired now. I am having another bld test in October. Not sure what they will do if liver function is still raised. My upper back aches but I don't think that is anything to do with statins but who knows?
Yes. My liver enzymes went through the roof.... like 10 times higher than the upper limit. The main symptom was very extreme fatigue. I thought the fatigue was my worsening heart condition and I didn't think it was anything to do with the statins (Atorvastatin). It was a routine blood test from my GP that identified the elevated liver enzymes. I've been off statins 2 weeks now and the enzyme levels are down by about a third but still way over the acceptable range. I'm starting to feel better and hope the levels continue to fall.
Thank goodness they caught it, hope you feel better soon.
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