Methatrexate

[Mcdive40]

My ALT result come back high again this time it was 112 it's only meant to be 34 and all the doctor asked me to do was retest my bloods again surly the methatrexate is coursing problem with my liver function

[ruth_p]

Has it been up for a few tests or just the one? Mine occasionally spikes and when I retest it'sback to normal. If it has been up for a few tests they probably want to make sure it is effecting your liver, especially if the mtx is keeping you well.

[Mcdive40 in reply to ruth_p]

Yes it been up all the time they have asked me to come off them now but come off them slowly and she how my ALT is after

[ann_martin37]

This is what they usually do. It has happened to me several times. Quite often the ALT returns to normal. They are only concerned if it stays high for a long time or if it gets really high .

[Leonwp]

It is not inusual for them to ask for comparison tests, i have seen diabetics who have posted that they forgot to fast for fasting blood tests but thought it better to go to the test than cancel even though they didnt fast. Mistakes can be madr for various reasons but for multiple reasons they also need comparisons. I hope your next reading is lower.

[Ellieellie]

That happened to me and they told me stop taking it. Eventually ended up on Leflunomide which caused high blood pressure. Got taken off that and now started on a biological. If the readings are continuous they probably will stop it.

[helixhelix]

Don't want to teach granny to suck eggs, but do make sure you stay away from alcohol before next blood test....I know I drank a bit more than normal over Xmas and new year.

[Mcdive40 in reply to helixhelix]

I don't drink at all lol

[Paula-C]

Just looked in my Mtx monitoring booklet and it says in there that a normal reading should be under 50. I have been told by my specalist nurse that they will let it go to 70 if your on MTX before they do anything. Mine once reached the dizzy heights of 257 I had to stop all meds until I had two normal readings. Mine went down straight away so I wasn't off meds for long. I was told by the consultant that they don't get concerned about it until it's over 600. Hope this helps. xx

[Sandrajb]

My ALT is regularly around 120 and my rheumatologist does not consider this as worry. However a locum GP who was not aware of his feelings on the matter, asked for Gamma GTs to be done which are another check on the function of the liver. This was normal leading the rheumatologist to consider the ALT raise may be "either bony or coming from the gut". If he felt the ALT raised more he suggested some iso-enzymes tests be done. Have not looked that up yet! Doubt if this helps much but just to say as other have, 112 is not high in the RD realm of things I don't think (well according to Mr. Rheumatologist!

Best wishes, Sandra

[flaminokie04]

I had that happen to me. I had to get off the MTX and the terrible thing was that the mtx had me almost in remission. Best of luck.

[Mcdive40 in reply to flaminokie04]

Sorry to hear that is such a shame and you was getting on really well with it no I have to come off it because of the high readings

[flaminokie04 in reply to Mcdive40]

Me too.

[Joy_1]

Hi there,

The head of rheumatology at the hospital I go to - I ask him key questions and not the junior mob. Max safe level for ALT is 50 and he allows you to go up to 1.5 times this figure. If you go above this figure you are asked to reduce the dose to get it back on track. If this does not do the trick then you need to come off MTX and try another drug.

Hope that helps.

Joy

[Mcdive40 in reply to Joy_1]

Yes I donhave to come off MYX now because of the high readings

[Joy_1 in reply to Mcdive40]

What are they going to offer you instead of the MTX?

[Hidden]

maybe the mtx is causing problems with your liver or maybe human error caused the blood result to be askew. I think it wise for your doctor to retest, just to make sure.

All the best to you

Sue