Has anyone with Fatty Liver (or indeed any another liver disease) had low lymphocytes and high ALT? I had this in January and as I am also on immunosuppressants for chronic eczema I had to reduce the dosage in case the immunosuppressants were causing it although I’ve been on them for years and never had any side effects. In February and March on a lowered dose of immunosuppressants my lymphocytes went back to normal whilst ALT remained high so the low lymphocytes in January might have been a blip. However now in April I’ve got low lymphocytes again and continued High ALT. I’m probably being referred back to the liver clinic but would be grateful for any advice meanwhile not least as each time I have low lymphocytes my asthma gets worse (I don’t think it’s the asthma *causing* the low lymphocytes though!). Interestingly the immunosuppressant I’m on is azathioprine which I know is used to treat autoimmune liver disease. I haven’t been diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease just fatty liver but I have autoimmune hypothyroidism, eczema and asthma which are all autoimmune illnesses.. Thank you
Liver disease with low lymphocytes? - British Liver Trust
Liver disease with low lymphocytes?
My ALT is always in mid normal range but my lymphocytes are always low. They dont know exactly why. It can happen for many reasons and does happen in liver disease but not to all people. My cause might be my gigantic spleen eating them up all up along with my platelets?
Hi PhoenixPalazzo. The gigantic spleen comment made me laugh, thanks! Do the low lymphocytes cause you repeated infections? I have been getting bad colds which then affects my asthma and I’ve had to update all my Asthma meds. I’ll be glad to return to the liver clinic (have fatty liver) but haven’t got an appt yet. Just wondering if low lymphocytes is an actual symptom of liver diseases - I can’t find much online about it..
I tried to research it myself a few times. Nothing was conclusive as to it being particularly linked to liver disease no. Im atill trying to figure it out as well. There are other diseases where it happens such as certain types of MPNs but as far as they can tell I dont have any of them.
Thanks for the reply. It may be the immunosuppressant azathioprine I’m on for chronic eczema causing low lymphocytes but I doubt it and when I saw the liver clinic for fatty liver diagnosed at that point through high ALT bloods (low lymphocytes hadn’t appeared yet then) they said unlikely to be immunosuppressant problem related as I’ve been on azathioprine for years with no problems. And apparently azathioprine is the medication they prescribe for autoimmune hepatitis so I would have thought it was a good drug for liver diseases. Hmm maybe someone else will reply too and give us another insight. Hope you’re doing ok.
Maybe its the eczema itself? I have eczema as well but no meds for it currently.
Ill take a look into it tonight and see what I find
Ah thanks. I’ve had a look at some of your previous posts and you seem very well up on this stuff!
Thank you 🙂
Hi Phoenix. Well it turns out my referral from dermatologist back to the liver clinic (cos of low lymphocytes) has got lost, typical! But I managed to speak on the phone to the Liver Nurse in clinic whom I’ve seen before and she is happy to see me again for a fibroscan if my GP (dr) refers me. Which is great, I just don’t know how many more weeks this will take now! Liver nurse did say low lymphocytes doesn’t usually relate to liver disease though. So it could be immunosuppressants for my eczema kicking off but I don’t see why when they’ve caused no Ill effects for over 15 years. I guess it might be a battle to get tested for other things instead of liver which may be caused by low lymphocytes seeing as I’ve only had low lymphocytes twice.. (and what should I be asking for). My GP did ask me recently if liver clinic had given me an MRI? They haven’t - only an ultrasound and two fibroscans (which diagnosed fatty liver cos of high ALT) but I haven’t actually seen theliver clinic since the low lymphocytes. After my next fibroscan do you think I can ask for an MRI? I’m In UK so have NHS which is a great, free national health service but as it’s not private payment it’s hard just to ask for tests.. Any advice gratefully received. Low lymphocytes have only happened twice to me but each time left me feeling lousy with bad asthma. Hope you’re doing Ok x
Some journals I was reading do say that oral immunosuppressants used for dermatological issues like eczema can cause lymphopenia. Not always but, its not at all uncommon.
Thanks Phoenix. Yes I know. Just seems a bit strange as to why I’d get side effects from immunosuppressants now, after 15 years with no problems. Suppose it’s good though it may not be liver disease related.. Ha just thought maybe it’s my body changing the way it reacts to things now I’m peri menopausal (I’m 50). Guess you can’t advise on that one!
This is true the body is always changing and so is the way the body reacts to things. Including regular day to day life 🙄lol. I guess the same can be said how for some of us booze just decides one day its going to destroy our livers and for others it just doesnt. The invincibile beauty of youth ☺
Glad its not likely liver related tho!
Yes. Health seems like roll of the dice and unfair most of the time. I’ll leave you alone from now on - youve been more than helpful! Good luck with your health journey x
Not at all, Much enjoy chatting with you! Even just a chat is always welcome.🙂
Just to say that I have been on aza for a number of years and they tested me, a year or so ago for toxicity caused by aza. I hadn't developed it, but it seems it can be a possibility. Quite how they would know though I can't say.
On another note, I saw you had put eczema down as autoimmune, which I didn't know, so being nosey I checked it out. It is classed as a primary immunodeficiency disorder. When you look that up, there is a whole load of stuff I know nothing about, but someone who does know about these things (GP/ another) might be able to explain more. I think that AIH is classed as secondary. Anyhoo, no idea if this is of any help and may be a totally false lead. Don't know anything about the lymphocytes. All the best
Thanks CarpeDiem. Just having supportive comments is nice. Am hoping for another fibroscan to clear up any possible related liver issues. Then guessing they’ll take me off azathioprine and see what happens to my bloods. Annoyingly I was off it for 4 months last year as I had my normal 2 month break per year from it plus another immediate 2 months off it due to surgery and they didn’t want me on immunosuppressants whilst recovering. My eczema came back badly over 4 months so was glad to go back on it but wondering if my body can’t now cope with it anymore. It is quite a powerful drug. Sigh.
Also CarpeDiem do you have autoimmune hepatitis? Am worrying a little I may have developed it (I’m also hypothyroid). I know they can run bloods - I just need to actually see the liver nurse (my referral from dermatologist to liver dept has got lost). I have developed bad asthma this week and had to change all my asthma meds which now take 3 days to kick in. The asthma nurse kindly asked if I’m feeling anxious currently. Er, yes!
Yes, have AIH. The not knowing does add to anxiety, but I never find thinking too much about it helpful, I find comedy is a good way to switch off. I would really recommend finding a way to switch off, as otherwise the anxiety can take over. We all have our own methods I suppose.
I hope your meds kick in soon and that you get some answers soon.
Thank you CarpeDiem. One of my stress busters is usually swimming and I now can’t do that with bad asthma! Hadn’t thought of the asthma site. Guess I’m in denial that my asthma is suddenly playing up. Always used to be well controlled. Am hoping it’s a blip related to low lymphocytes hence I’m really keen to get the low lymphocytes’ cause discovered.. Sorry to hear you have AIH. I don’t know much about it really - I hope it doesn’t impact on your life too much.. Best wishes.
If you look at the post ??AIH, you will find details of how AIH is diagnosed.Have you tried the Asthma forum? Just a thought. All the best
Thank you
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