LFT and Methotexate

[1602]

Hi everyone

just got a letter from docs asking me to arrange repeat LFT bloods [from last week]

the blood form says "abnormal" result.

I'm assuming this do to with Meth [on 17.5mg]

should I ask for doctors appointment for when results back as I'm due to take my Meth on Friday and don't know what to do?

Thanks

Cath 1602

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you in the UK? If so, you should have a rheumy nurse if you are on methotrexate? The average GP won't have a clue about methotrexate. It may even be a knee-jerk reaction to raised LFTs and the rheumy department would just accept a certain degree of raised values.

[1602 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks - yes I'm in the uk but have never been given a rheumy nurse - but as I have not been completely happy with methotrexate since started last july 2016 15mg and have been even less happy since recent increase to 17.5mg I need to talk this through.

Thanks again

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 1602]

Well it obviously isn't doing anything if you have had a flare and had to increase the dose is it! And you have certainly been on it long enough to see if it is going to do anything for you.

You can stop mtx overnight, unlike pred. I know what I'd be doing in your place. Especially if the rheumy can't be bothered to assign you a nurse contact.

[1602 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for this - I've just discovered a phone number on my drug monitoring card and have put a call in to nurse. Here's hoping I get an answer. I am very tempted to ditch the meth I must admit xxx

[SnazzyD]

You can get abnormal LFT's on Methotrexate but it's a question of how abnormal and which bit. The repeat may be just to check for the trend, up or down rather than the numbers being awful. The GP should be able to help in the first instance of it was routine MXT bloods with them. If you are UK, call your surgery and ask for a phone call from the GP. It may be a quick, "it's only a bit, we'll check again, but take it", but if it's more then they can get advice for you. If this is all Hospital or you have a hotline to Rheum, call them as it needs a doc to make the judgement in your specific case.

[1602 in reply to SnazzyD]

thank you so much

[Doralouise77]

I'm sorry, but what does LFT stand for?, thank you

[1602 in reply to Doralouise77]

Liver function tests - as I'm still discovering - it covers a number of the regular blood test results I now have xx