Hello RA forum
Just had blood results back and I’ve never had abnormal results. They want to recheck my bloods in a month. My liver enzymes are raised ? They said nothing to worry about ?
I’m currently on 22.5mg methotrexate by injection.
I’ve not drank for 6 months so nothing to do with alcohol. Has anyone ever had experience of this any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks all x
I inject MTX & have had rogue LFT's in the 13 years I've been taking it. Had the same advice & repeated bloods showed normal (for me) values. My Consultant used to ask if I'd been drinking & my response was always no, I don't drink alcohol. He always replied I mean spirits. Apparently beer & wine don't count as alcohol in Spain! Who knows why these blips happen, but it also happens with my RBC too from time to time & scope investigations reveal nothing unusual or abnormal.
As they say don't worry then I wouldn’t, they must see it time & again.
Thank you No More Heels for your reply and experience I am grateful! I’m the same here can’t wear heels, lovely dresses I will probably never get to wear!
Beer and Wine don’t count blimey If that was the case I would be having a wine ha ha!
It does make me wonder why if it has never happened before especially not drinking for 6 months!! I was low on potassium once but just ate more bananas.
Much love to you x
YES I HAVE RECENTLY ALSO HAD HIGH LIVER ENZYMES COME BACK ON LABS WHICH IS NEW TO ME. IM TAKING RINVOQ FOR MY RA CURRENTLY. THE ONLY OTHER THING I CAN THINK OF THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT TO BE HIGH IS MAYBE WHEN I HAD COVID AND TOOK PAXLOVID. IM JUST NOT SURE THE DR DID REDO LABS AND HE SAID THEY ARE FINE. THESE RESULTS CAME FROM A CLINICAL TRIAL IM DOING BUT MY RHEUMATOLOGIST IS THE ONE THAT REPEATED THE LABS AND SAID ALL IS FINE AND WE'LL RECHECK IN A MONTH. I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A DRINKER EITHER BUT ALCOHOLISM DOES RUN IM MY FAMILY MY DAD AND MOM WERE BOTH ON DIALYSIS. BUT IM JUST NOT SURE WHATS CAUSING IT TO BE HIGH BUT FOR NOW IM NOT GUNA STRESS JUST WAIT AND REPEAT LABS NEXT MONTH AND GO FROM THERE. I HOPE YOU FIND THE ROOT OF YOUR PROBLEM. GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES..
Thank you Marienan,
I hope your tests are all ok next month. There is Alcoholism in my family too so I choose not to drink especially being on methotrexate because sadly I just can’t have the one glass!! Sorry about your parents.
I have been on 22.5mg for years so it is strange but hopefully a blip.
Best Wishes x
Yes thats what I'm hoping when I do retest that's its just a mistake or either the problem resolved itself. But also I've cut down on alot of my meds for sleep which is hydroxazine, melatonin and clonidine. Also when I had covid I did consume alot of Tylenol which is also hard on one's liver so I've also cut down my use of that also. So like I said I'm hoping they tests will come back safe.. good luck with your liver tests.
Yes I had it once. The second blood test showed it was back to normal.
I think we all get wobbly test results occasionally and they usually right themselves in a short period of time. It’s happened to me a few times. I go a week without mtx and I’m fine the next week.
I haven’t had it with MTX but prior to that I was on Azathioprine, and after they increased to a high dose of 200mg I had raised LFT. My medication was stopped, and I had to have a liver ultrasound at my gps surgery. Thankfully that was fine and repeat bloods were normal. My rheumatologist decided to switch to MTX, which live been taking since 2016 with no issues. I currently take 25mg. As a nurse it’s been common to see raised LFTs which when rechecked are normal, so as your gp says, don’t worry. 🤗
Thank you Maureen that is really helpful. I have been on 22.5mg for a few years now and this is the first abnormal for Liver.
Glad you were all ok xx
This has happened several times for me -and the repeat tests have always been OK. I don't worry about it now (well, not much anyway).
I’ve had blips before, and the retest is usually fine.
Hello Azure
Just a brief note - in the hope of reassuring you on the topic of liver enzymes
I've been taking methotrexate at 10mgs for 25 years and my liver enzymes have been occasionally elevated for no apparent reason. At no time have I been told to keep off alcohol - just use your common sense. Too much alcohol will affect your liver whether you take methotrexate or not. The addition of methotrexate just raises the possibility.
I don't deny myself the occasional celebratory drink or two. Spirits I avoid - just don't like them. But a glass of red wine is not to be denied. If I get raised liver enzymes I lay off the wine for a few weeks and the enzymes go back to normal very quickly.
I would emphasise that my enzymes have never been at a worrying level. They do have to be very elevated to cause trouble. Just be sensible.
And don't worry! Your medical team will soon be alerted if things go awry.
A Very Happy and Healthy 2023!
bienassis x
Hi I’ve only had this happen once before & that was with Sulphasalazine a long time ago. It was back to normal a few weeks later. Our livers are very good at repairing themselves & quickly too so try not to worry. Hopefully just a blip which isn’t that uncommon 🤞 x
thank you Otto x
Yes, I’ve had high ALT in particular quite a few times, once over 100. I’m teetotal, have been for 14 years.
Mine was down to a high dose of PPI’s which didn’t agree with Mthx. I was on 40mg per day of Pantaprozal, but have now changed to 15mg of Lansaprozal for my GERD, the drop in my ALT was spectacular! 🤷♀️
I’m the same as the others, this has happened to me a few times over the years, it’s always come back ok on the next test. 🤞🏻it does for you too.
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