I have been diagnosed with NAFLD. Could this have been caused due to me taking Amitryptaline as a sleeping pill for the last few years.

[Garome]

I have felt recently that the Amitryptaline has not been as effective as I am not sleeping well again and I am thinking of stopping taking these. I looked up what the effects of using Amitryptaline could be and it pointed to some sort of Hepatic side effects. Elevated liver function tests, drug-induced hepatitis, and acute hepatic necrosis have been rarely reported. Am I panicking over nothing or is this something I should bring to my G.P,s attention .

[angelatonew]

Listen to your body id what I say. I try and stay away from all medication unless it is absolutely necessry and only short term. However it may be worth looking at your diet/weight, as I have the same condition I am aware of how weight loss and not eating so much rubbish really can make a difference. Certainly bring it to the attention of your doctor but be prepared to be not taken seriously!

Go well.

Kathryn

[KLR22]

What quantity of Amitriptyline have you taken and over how many years? I've been taking 10 mg at nights for 8 years and have had abnormal liver function tests for a few years. The doctor has told me it's not due to the Amitriptyline but I'm not so sure.

Also, what symptoms did you get for you to get a diagnosis of NAFLD?

Thanks.

Karen

[KLR22]

What quantity of Amitriptyline have you taken and over how many years? I've been taking 10 mg at nights for 8 years and have had abnormal liver function tests for a few years. The doctor has told me it's not due to the Amitriptyline but I'm not so sure.

Also, what symptoms did you get for you to get a diagnosis of NAFLD?

Thanks.

Karen

[Garome in reply to KLR22]

I was on 10 mg just like you and becuase I am not sleeping all that well I decided to look up to see if there were side effects to coming off them. I didn't see the point in taking medication for the sake of it and becuase of the NAFLD I am becoming more aware of what I am putting in my body. I had been referred to a gastroenterologist because I had high LFT's for about 6 months. The NAFLD was diagnosed after 1 year, by which time I had already started watching my diet and took up running. Having just been diagnosed, I was told to exercise more and watch my diet. I wouldn't say I was grossly overweight, but having lost 1 stone and doing exercise, my lft levels were still high. This is quite confusing. My G.P. was more concerned because my GGT levels were sitting around 200 and not moving. I presume they checked my cholesterol at the hospital, but this was never mentioned, although I do know it was around 6.9 the year prior to this all happening. As for diet, I wasn't on a poor diet, but I am not a fruit and veg lover, so probably not getting the correct nutrients etc.

[KLR22 in reply to Garome]

I'd like to come off Amitriptyline but find I can't sleep without it so, to date, I've put off doing it. I don't like the thought it's harming my liver, whatever my doctor says. How did you get to find out you had NAFLD?