methotrexate question

[Linny3]

My last blood work has shown a slightly elevated blood work for the liver. The figure is 36u/l (35u/l being high normal)

Thru the past 6 years my numbers have been low the highest being 20 u/l a few years ago.

This makes me nervous. The dr. Said to stay on metho. And re-test in 4 weeks.

For those who have been taken off metho. I am wondering how high were your numbers?

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is so close to normal it barely counts at present, They will look for a trend and how much it goes up.

You don't say WHICH test that is the result for but the liver enzyme they worry about is a transaminase - which can be raised by other factors too, including alcohol, NSAIDs, non-alc fatty liver disease and other things. They don't usually worry until it is at least double the upper level of the normal level - which you are nowhere near - so I imagine they will see what happens next time. That's WHY they do the tests - so they identify things before they become a problem.

[Linny3 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for the reply. What concerned me is the 36 is triple what the figure normally is. Seems like a big jump even though it is just over normal.I repeat test in 4 weeks. I really do want to stay on the metho.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

Did see someone say they had to stop because the liver results were dodgy but were off for a few weeks and then restarted at a lower dose and crept up and it was OK.

[Linny3 in reply to PMRpro]

As. I recall, haven’t you been on it and had to stop due to blood work?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

No, I stopped because I felt so ill and fatigued. I couldn't function and that wasn't an option.

[PMRCanada in reply to Linny3]

I believe that was Mrs. Nails.

[MrsNails]

Linny - in FAQ’s you’ll find My Story & it goes through why l was taken of MTX & how l was restarted & the ‘acceptable’ levels. Just bring up by 1point is not a problem we can all flip either side without a worry.

Unfortunately, l’m extremely tired tonight but l’ll attach you the link, l’m not around tomorrow but can touch base on Sunday if you are still concerned.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

MrsN

[Rugger]

I'm on MTX and my figure doubled from 31 to 62 recently. A month later it was back down to 30 and the cause of the increase was thought most likley to have been the Covid vaccination that I'd had - it was my liver's normal response to the vaccine (or any other infection)!!

[Linny3 in reply to Rugger]

Thank you so much for responding. It helps to ease my mind. Have you been able to reduce the prednisone?

[Rugger in reply to Linny3]

I had reduced the pred to zero with the help of Tocilizumab before I started MTX! I'm only on MTX because my Rheumatologist feared I might flare on no medication at all! I've been on it for 4 months and we decided to give it a year's trial before risking nothing at all. Watch this space!

PMR 2016

GCA-LVV 2019

[Linny3 in reply to Rugger]

That is wonderful. I yearn for the day when my body gives up this awful disease🤨

[Rugger in reply to Linny3]

Yes, we are all living in the hope that will happen. The years pass by, but we're still here and I try to remain positive about the possibility of remission. 🤞