Elevated SGPT and SGOT

[Lovelymom4]

Hi everyone,

My mom who was diagnosed with MNP 2 years ago and has been taking hydroxyurea since then, now has elevated liver enzymes like SGOT and SGPT. Apparently, it has been elevated for the past 6 months.

Has anyone here had such an experience? What would be the next step? I know it can be due to hydroxyurea side effect.

I’m truly concerned. Please help me!

Thank you!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hello Lovelymom4, what has your mum's haematologist said about these results and what they mean for your mum? Best wishes, Maz

[Lovelymom4 in reply to Mazcd]

Hi

Thanks for your response. He only wanted her to go back sooner for her next lab. Maybe he isn’t much concerned as it’s a side effect of the Med and just wants to see how far it can go. I don’t really know. Thanks.

[hunter5582]

I think you are right to be concerned. Hepatotoxicity is a potential adverse effect of hydroxyurea. This absolutely needs follow up with the hematologist. If the current hematologist is not a MPN Specialist, suggest expert consultation would be in order. mpnforum.com/list-hem./ . Perhaps consultation with a hepatologist would be in order as well.

Assertive patients receive higher quality care. Passive patients do not. Suggest strongly advocating for your concerns to be addressed. Your Mom is lucky to have you backer her up.

[Lovelymom4 in reply to hunter5582]

Hi and thanks a lot for your response. Thanks for sharing the list with me. Unfortunately she is in Iran and there is no recommended specialist from there on the list. Maybe I can contact one of these physicians in the US and see if I can go for consultation and take all her labs with me.

Thanks for your kind words. Being far from her this is the least that I can do for her.

[hunter5582 in reply to Lovelymom4]

I imagine a tele-medicine visit directly with your Mom would be difficult to arrange with a patient in Iran, though that would be ideal. Will your Mom be able to strongly advocate for herself in the medical system where she resides? She may need to switch to a much more expensive medication. I hope this will not be an issue.

[Lovelymom4 in reply to hunter5582]

Hi

And thanks again for your response. What would the name of that med be? I can see if it is available there.

[hunter5582 in reply to Lovelymom4]

It would depend on her MPN profile. Do bear in mind that I am not a physician. The other options in use are:

PEGylated Interferons (Pegasys, Ropeg)

Ruxolitinib (Jakafi)

Anagrelide

Busulfan

There are other meds that are under investigation, but these would be the most common. The Interferons and Ruxolitinib are the more expensive meds.