Niacin liver
Common Questions and Answers about Niacin liver
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).
I take 65mg Iron pills 2X/day, 250mg Niacin 3X/day. I also take a few other pills where liver and kidney functions must be watched. So far everything is working good! My Iron is still a bit low but we're waiting on the next blood test in three months before we adjust that again.
I take Niacin to lower my cholesterol. In three months my HDL dropped by two points and LDL dropped like a rock to half what it was.
If you have stage 4 liver disease (cirrhosis) you should consult with your hepatologist regarding any changes to diet and and any over-the-counter drugs, vitamins or herbs before taking them. Many can be toxic to a cirrhotic liver an increase liver damage and in some individuals cause decompensation and liver failure depending on a patient's liver disease and the amount of the toxin.
Extended release niacin is arguably just as good as any drug on the market in terms of HDL and LDL effect. It can be tough on the liver but if you have normal liver function then its a legit alternative to statins (my father in law's cholesterol used to clock in at about 270 and he had the same reservations as your husband about drugs - niacin has worked very well for him - his cholesterol is now sub 150 and has been for 10+ years).
By contrast, slow-release niacin preparations reduce the hot-flush effect by releasing niacin over an extended period of 12 hours or longer. Most of these preparations are unsafe and I do not recommend them. “No-flush” niacin preparations, such as inositol hexaniacinate and nicotinamide, are widely sold as niacin alternatives that do not cause hot flushes. In my experience, however, they simply do not work. In other words, no flush, no effect.
Elevated liver enzymes as a result of statin use does not necessarily mean there is liver damage. Stopping the drug frequently results in normalization of liver enzymes. And occasionally changing to a different statin solves the problem of elevated liver enzymes while maintaining an improved cholesterol level.
He paid, out of pocket (since he lost his health benefits) for an ultrasound on his lower abdomen. He was told he has a healthy liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Prior to losing his job, he was training vigorously for a marathon and an Ironman event. We're told that vigorous exercise can cause an elevation in ALT levels, but not that much. He is trying to restrict niacin, because he was told that might affect his ALT result if he's sensitive to niacin.
The program you are on is a very good detoxification program for someone with a healthy liver. However, I have read that large dosages of niacin can be toxic to the liver. If you have hepc, you should check with a qualified specialist as to taking the niacin. Make sure the supervisor of the program you are on knows that you have hepc. Get advice from a liver specialist! Good luck!
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.
I was told to avoid niacin, excess vitamin C, along with marijuana and alcohol by my liver clinic. Risk and the way liver handles excess niacin outweighed benefit though certainly getting adequate amounts by use of a NO iron multiple vitamin would be fine.
Statins have so many contraindications they will probably never pass muster for liver patients.
You should be seeing a specialist to treat your fatty liver. A gastroenterologist or hepatologist. Niaspan is NOT standard treatment for fatty liver disease. NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets), contain niacin, a B-complex vitamin and antihyperlipidemic agent.
What type of fatty liver disease do you have?
NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).
AASLD Treatment Guidelines:
Recommendations
16.
My husband has been taking niacin for his elevated cholesterol for many years now. We looked into this after reading about the potential se's of statins. We based the dosages - with his PCP's - approval on the book "The 8 Week Cholesterol Cure" by Robert Kowalski. We also supplement with Konjac root (glucomannan) and he takes a phytosterol if he's going to eat steak or eggs or other cholesterol rich foods.
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Regarding the issue of niacin lowering the cholesterol levels, Niacin or nicotinic acid lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while raising the high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels(good cholesterol).
But this medication is not recommended to be taken by your own because you may miss some important side effects. Side effects include flushing, stomach upset, vomitings,headache, dizziness,liver damage in some cases.
There are plenty of natural ways to bring down your cholestral levels....are you taking flush free niacin? For your liver and pancrease take Alma - juice or pills. Also Ginger and tumeric are excellent to take also. A diabetic should be watching what they eat - are you? My father was diabetic and it was awful because he made it that way. Read...get online....look up these levels and what you can do homeopathically to take them down.
But my best lipid results ( raising HDL, lowering LDL and Lp(a) ) came from taking RX Niacin which I take with the 10 mg Crestor and 325 mg aspirin at bedtime.No problems with Niacin either.I take RX fish oil also as I am in big time prevention mode due to cardiac microvascular dysfunction.Fortunately my lipids have never been bad and my larger coronaries are clear but the lipids are only a piece of the total cardiac picture and the possible side effects of meds far outweigh my other risks.
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