Anyone with PBC tried the carnivore diet?

[trbrilin]

I have been taking Ursodiol since about 2015 and my liver enzymes have been well managed. I went carnivore about 3 months ago. I had my enzymes tested and they were off the charts! I’m not sure if this is a result of the carnivore diet or some other cause. The only question my GP asked is if I had taken Tylenol. I had a cold at the time and I had taken NyQuil for two days prior to the test. I’m not sure if that little amount could have caused this increase. My protein has not increased that much over pre-carnivore-I’ve just removed the carbs and added more fat to the diet. Hoping to find some answers. I have been referred to a liver specialist, but I don’t expect to get in to see him for several months

[Gmama2]

Hi, what do you mean by "off the charts?".

[trbrilin in reply to Gmama2]

alkaline phosphatase 243

AST 98

ALT 163

[Larrysgirl]

Hello, I am mostly carnivore with very few veggies mostly leafy greens. I tend to call it Ketovore. Although everyone is different, my labs have steadily gone down over the last 2 and 1/2 years when I was diagnosed. I started eating this way because of my diagnosis. Sugar and carbs are harder for the liver to process. I also feel it's the "proper human diet" (check out Dr. Berry on you tube). I would keep up the healthy eating and check my labs again in a few months. I hope this encourages you, God Bless, Anni

I just had them done last week.

Alk Phos 149

Ast 41

Alt 46

Mine is still considered elevated even though it's at it's lowest ever.

[trbrilin in reply to Larrysgirl]

Thanks, yes this helps. I haven't felt better and I stopped having acid reflux (and stopped the Prilosec) since going carnivore! I was vegetarian and juiced a lot after my diagnosis, but my acid reflux and GERD became much worse.

[CBCB]

interesting I have no idea if there is a correlation however I was on Atkins for almost three years, lost a lot of weight but at the end of that period I was diagnosed with PBC. Not sure the carni diet is best for your body. I’m leaning much more towards vegetarian now. Helps with the PBC and my type 2 Diabetes.

[Greenfern]

I met with my G.I. doctor today and he told me I could take 250 mg of Ursodiol in the morning and at night. I think it is helping to relieve the itching. 4 months ago, my liver blood panel was normal except for my M2 Antibody, which was very high. So that's why I am being treated for PBC. When I asked him if the PBC could be causing my high cholesterol, he said probably not. I plan to talk with my primary care physician about going on a low dose statin. Good luck to everyone dealing with these same issues.

[Larrysgirl in reply to Greenfern]

The urso didn't help at all with my itching. After trying several meds to control it , My Dr. finally landed on 50 mg of Zoloft daily.

[Michi1 in reply to Greenfern]

You might want to consider going to a hepatologist. Urso does not treat the itch. Also, the dosage is based on body weight, and unless you are exceptionally tiny 500 mg per day is not enough. I weigh 160 pounds and take 1000 mg a day. Finally, my hepatologist has told me on numerous occasions that most people with PBC have high cholesterol and that the higher cholesterol in us has zero correlation to heart disease. In short, she has told me it is nothing to be concerned about. Unless you have some special risk factor, you probably do not need to go on statins, which have all sorts of negative side effects.

[Greenfern in reply to Michi1]

This is really helpful information. It's just weird though because after about 3 weeks on the Ursodiol, my itching improved. I weigh 102 lbs, very petite, so my G.I. doctor was okay with me taking 250mg am and pm. I will discuss the high cholesterol with my primary care physician and possibly have a calcium heart scan done. That could be one more data point as to whether I should go on a low dose statin. My 92 yr old mom is still living and has always had a high cholesterol, so maybe it is hereditary. Thanks again for this very helpul information!

[Gmama2]

If you have type O or B blood you should fast prior to tests (see study below), my Alk phos dropped about 30 points after fasting. According to the article below, fatty meals can impact ALP levels in people with those blood types.

The Nyquill might not help either, I would retest in a month or so.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/238...

[trbrilin in reply to Gmama2]

thanks , I’m scheduled again after the holiday

[Mambo_5]

I have been doing Keto for several months…my enzymes are great. Have tested along the way

[Jlruggie]

plant based, no preservatives, no additives, cooked, 4 oz per week alcohol, low sugar, no red meat, no shell fish, fermented dairy only

[N0vember]

I've had PBC since 2010. Off and on I've been on a low carb high protein diet and it never affected my numbers. I do know that when you take different meds like NyQuil it can affect your numbers. I don't take any of that stuff anymore.