Niacin and elevated liver enzymes
Common Questions and Answers about Niacin and elevated liver enzymes
niaspan
I'm 52 and have never have had high liver enzymes. Took 500 mg of Slo Niacin for about a month between 12/15/13 and 1/15/14 and ALT went from 36 to 60, AST from 39 to 63, and GGT from about low 30's to 110!! based on blood testing done 1/15/14. Previous normal liver bloodwork from chemistry profile was from physical back in late July of 2013. Only a social drinker (few beers on weekend).
Mild elevations of liver enzymes AST, ALT, and GGT started sometime late 2013 or early 2014 and still are elevated. By mild, AST and ALT around 60 and GGT about 100. Never have had that problem before and hadn't had any alcohol since 1/24/14. Had full bloodwork and ultrasound from a hepatologist a month or so ago and everything was normal except the high enzymes. Note that high dose purified fish oil seems to lower the alt/ast about 10-15 pts but has little effect on GGT.
According to Uptodate, the medications that cause this condition include colchicine, nondepolarizing muscle relaxers with high doses of corticosteroids, antimalarials, niacin, penicillamine, fibrates, zidovudine and statins. Drugs that can cause elevated liver enzymes include cocaine and alcohol, particularly when they are abused.
Testing patients for elevated muscle enzymes helps doctors determine the cause and can help to evaluate muscle pain, weakness and inflammation.
He even stopped taking a multi vitamin and stopped using a shampoo that contains niacin because he saw a site on line that some people have a high sensitivity to niacin and it might be cause for the elevated enzymes. As you can see, CalGal, we're reaching for any insight someone out there might have.
Again, thank you for your input.
I'm assuming that your talking about your liver enzyme levels being elevated. Unfortunately, in some, taking cholesterol lowering meds can elevate the liver enzymes. I believe your doc may have asked you to discontinue the lipitor to see if that is the cause of the elevation.
Elevated Liver Enzymes can be the result of damaging liver disease, acute or prolonged use of medications or alcohol, or harmful exposure to a wide variety of environmental toxins (many of which you are probably exposed to every day). Livergenex is your safe, natural choice for lowering elevated liver enzymes and putting you on the path to a healthier more energetic life.
Elevated liver enzymes indicate inflammation or damage to cells in your liver.
There are many causes of elevated liver enzymes
Quoted from Mayo clinic
Many diseases and conditions can contribute to elevated liver enzymes. Your doctor determines the specific cause of your elevated liver enzymes by reviewing your medications, your signs and symptoms and, in some cases, other tests and procedures.
I am involved in this site now because of high liver enzymes. Had ultra sound and they found Fatty Liver and enlarged Liver. So like you am looking for answers .
I will tell you I have found out that L-Lysine is toxic, especially for women who take it while pregnant. Also drinking is a big NO. I am a recovery alcoholic for 27 years, and I can tell you it worries me to this day that my early drinking may have caused this.
One of the most common causes of elevated liver enzymes is medications. Over-the-counter meds like Tylenol and NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium can also cause elevated liver enzymes. Statins taken for cholesterol often cause elevated liver enzymes and also some common antibiotics.
Exposure to certain toxins in the home or workplace can be the cause also.
Here's an article that lists some medications that can result in elevated liver enzymes:
http://www.medicinenet.
t matter what I eat toast or a full meal is this normal?Can I ask if your liver enzymes are elevated or anyone here and what are you doing about it.The onle reason I can think of is the medication because I might drink 8 beers a month.This is all confusing and depressing.As far as Sjorgren's I have no idea but I will bring it up to the Rheumatologist.I don't understand it all.
RDT54 how are you feeling?Hope everything is ok with everyone.
There are many reasons for elevated enzymes...and I'm assuming you mean liver enzymes. Has she been diagnosed with Hepatitis C? Is she on any new medications, either OTC, Rx or supplements? Hopefully her Dr. is followong up on this...........
But it must be emphasized that higher-than-normal levels of these liver enzymes should not be automatically equated with liver disease. They may mean liver problems or they may not. The interpretation of elevated AST and ALT levels depends upon the whole clinical picture and so it is best done by doctors experienced in evaluating liver disease.
The precise levels of these enzymes do not correlate well with the extent of liver damage or the prognosis (outlook).
My alt and ast were slightly elevated in the early part of last year i am talking only in the 40 and 50 mark redid blood work six months later my alt was 346 and my ast 234 i was sent straight to a hepatologist with lots of lab work, biopsy, and catscam found out i had Hep c, geno type 1a, stage 0-2. Started treatment in April of this year after 12 weeks i am undetectable but remain in treatment for the rest of the 48 weeks.
After losing about 25 pounds and trying to live a more healthy lifestyle a routine blood test showed elevated enzymes and 4 weeks later elevated more to 4 times the normal ranges. When my family doctor discusses this with me he refers to my condition as "having the Hepatitis C antibody". I had a blood transfusion in 1970 following childbirth. Should I be concerned?
So, my doctor just got the results of my blood tests, and apparently I have underactive thyroid, and three times the normal liver enzymes. I couldn't ask him a lot of questions and it will take a few days before I can go and see him, but I have a lot of questions that just won't stop bugging me.
For instance, one of the symptoms that bothers me the most is that I keep having hot flashes a lot. But shouldn't it be the opposite with hypothyroidism?
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