Blood Test - High liver count

[Sin123]

I’m not sure if anyone can offer an insight to the information I have.

Routine blood test for my lupus sle and the liver count was 100 rather than being the usual 25. I’ve been advised to not take methotrexate this week and the rheumatology nurse advised that it means my my liver is having to work much harder as indicated by this reading.

I’ve had another blood test today and awaiting results but just confused as to what the raised blood count is actually showing.

Does anyone have any idea?

Mint thanks

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi.it could be showing inflammation of the liver.i had to stop taking azathioprine as I developed drug induced hepatitis.i then had to wait 3 months for my liver to recover before starting mycophenolate instead. It does resolve itself once the drug is stopped Xxx

[Sin123 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Oh, ok. Thanks for reply. I’ve been on mthx for 2 1/2 years with no issue to date so that’s interesting. My hair is also shedding so wonder if they’re related?...

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Sin123]

Sorry I cant help on that score.by asking you not to take the drug and re testing your bloods they could possibly be looking to see if the methotrexate is the cause.best wishes xx

[Sin123 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Also, I’m assuming that there’s absolutely zero alcohol to cross my lips whilst the liver count is high? (I hardly drink atm due to mthx)

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Sin123]

I think very small amounts are ok but I dont drink as I take pregabalin x

[miccika1 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

My doc told me absolutely no alcohol if taking methotrexate. And 1000mg of folic acid daily is also a must. Methotrexate is very hard on liver.

[Spanielmadlady in reply to miccika1]

Patients may drink alcohol whilst taking long-term low weekly doses of methotrexate (25mg or less) for skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, but they should be advised that both alcohol and methotrexate can potentially damage the liver, so they should not drink more alcohol than ...22 Sep 2020

sps.nhs.uk › articles › can-pati...

Should patients drink alcohol while taking methotrexate.

[miccika1 in reply to Sin123]

If your liver count is high i wouldn't dare taking any alcohol, you got it right.

[Kelbol1 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Did you result go back to normal? I have been taken off my mycophenolate as Alt high had second bloods still high and only had liver scan 4 weeks ago which was all fine. Consultant wants me to see liver specialist.

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Kelbol1]

Hi.it took 3 months for my liver to recover after the azathioprine caused the drug induced hepatitis. I'm still on monthly dmards bloods and all is ok.after 5 months they put me on mycophenolate. I've now been on that for 18 months xx

[UCTD]

Sorry you are having a worrying time. It may be that your liver is working extra hard and maybe you need a break from the MTX. Link in with the Rheumatology nurse she can support you. I have thinning hair too, however I think that it is part of the connective tissue disorder rather than the medication, and I have had Methotrexate, Mycophenolate and now Rituximab but I use shampoo with caffeine in, which helps a bit.

Good luck!

[pauly10044]

Hi hope your feeling better. I am on Methotrexate and when I first started she started me at 8 pills once a week, shortly after that my blood work showed that my liver count was up so she lowered Me to 6. After a few months my liver count went back to normal. However my RA was not as good as it could have been so she raised me up to seven. So far so good. Hope this was helpful

[Sin123 in reply to pauly10044]

My liver count has now come down to 80 from 100 so my rheumatologist wants me to take another test in two weeks and to also take an antibody test. She’s advised I stay off mthx in the meantime. I currently don’t have any symptoms so really hoping the count will continue to come down.

[miccika1]

Also one thing i noticed helps lower my liver enzymes numbers is dandelion root tea, in case you wanna experiment...

[Sin123 in reply to miccika1]

Thank you will give it a go. x