SLE and raised liver ALT levels

[Hhood]

Has anyone with SLE had raised ALT liver levels.

I've recently had some bloods done and there's a new finding with my ALT enzyme levels being elevated to 131 (normal range should be 0-45).

I'm just worried about what this might mean.

Rheumatologist is doing more bloods to validate the ALT results and further tests to measure muscle and related enzymes

[Hidden]

I don't actually have Lupus, I have RA with Sjogren's. In my case, the ALT test is related to my liver. Maybe this will help healthline.com/health/alt. In my case, this can be caused by MTX and if it remains high over a couple of weeks, I would have to stop taking MTX for a while. If it remains high after resumin the drug, I would have to be taken off MTX. The other cause of a raised ALT is if I drink too much alcohol while I'm on MTX. I don't drink.

[Andfiona]

Hi yes I have this too. Linked to azathioprine. They reduced azathioprine and it went down but then I had to increase aza again, and ALT has gone up again. So I don’t know what plan will be at next appointment. I don’t drink either. I expect that your rheum will monitor closely and provide good advice about your options. Good luck do let us know what happens next.

[Oshgosh]

Are you on Azatropine

[Angelsww]

Hi, I have other auto immune diseases too including, PBC which caused my liver to fail. Raised ALT was the first symptom of this over 17 years ago. I was transplanted 3 years ago.

[Woods01]

Raised ALT can be due to raised CK levels. CK is the byproduct of inflammation of muscles and the liver needs to filter this so the liver enzymes increase. I have dermatomyositis and my ALT went up to 170, this was due to my CK being 7000, normal level is up to 200. As the CK went down due to have oral and iv steroids my Liver SLT went back to normal, there was a direct correlation between them. CK be tested in the blood as quickly as ALT.

Hope this helps

[Hhood]

Hi thanks everyone. I've had further bloods and just waiting on the results. I'll let you know.

[Jmiller623 in reply to Hhood]

They probably sent off antibodies for autoimmune hepatitis and viral hepatitis antibodies. This is standard practice even in the case that it is a suspected drug reaction. Usually they send anti smooth muscle and anti mitochondrial antibodies to test for autoimmune hepatitis. I hope they are negative and this is fluke!