Niacin liver damage
Common Questions and Answers about Niacin liver damage
niaspan
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.
165; height: 5'8" and I work out aerobically and heavily 3x per week.) My blood/other results are as follows:
My numbers in late 2003 (before starting Niacin therapy which consisted of:
500 mg of SR [sustained-release] AND 500 mg IR [immediate release] niacin at 8:00 AM;
500 mg of IR niacin at 4:00 PM; and,
500 mg of SR niacin in the evening):
(TC=total cholesterol; HDL, LDL are obvious; CRP=c-reactive protein)
TC=248; HDL=55; LDL=166; CRP=0.
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've read conflicting articles saying that niacin is necessary for thyroid function and then some that say it can lower thyroid levels and cause liver damage. I've seen it in some iron supplements and wondered if I needed to stay away from it or if it would be good to take.
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.
t know if the system detox program you are in is too straining on the liver. I guess it would depend on how harsh the program is and on how much liver damage you have. And probably some other factors.
As a rule of thumb, you should not do more than you feel you can handle. Listen to your body and rest when you feel it is too much.
Lori, all the cholesterol meds work in slightly different fashions, so you may want to consider talking to your doc about trying a different brand like Crestor, or? You could also discuss the use of red yeast rice, if your doc is a functional medicine doc, or perhaps think about trying the niacin-based meds.
Cholesterol meds can cause muscle weakness and pain. No matter what you're on in the future, make sure the doc checks your enzyme levels regularly.
Side effects include flushing, stomach upset, vomitings,headache, dizziness,liver damage in some cases.Niacin can also raise blood sugar levels in some cases. Taking the drug during or after the meals can help people to develop a tolerance to flushing and to sometimes decrease it.
While you are on niacin, the effect of high blood pressure medicines may also be increased.
Lactulose is a good thing to use and is also a good probiotic which was well explained by the Hepatitis Researcher (known as HR) who use to post here. You'd have to try and search the archives for it or you can go to HR's profile and read all his old posts. They are of great value to non-responders to current meds. They were like finding a bucket of cool water in a blistering hot desert for us and they made an enormous difference in my husband's condition.
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.
This disease often occurs with liver damage or liver disease and most often with Hemochromatosis on different stages..
But I luckily have no liver damage or high enzyme tests
Think I will check my ferritin levels soon to rule it out and maybe copper too, again.
And with neurological things you should always think of liver diseases like Wilsons or Hemo too.
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.
According to Uptodate, these include hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, celiac disease, muscular dystrophy, cytomegalovirus, mononucleosis, liver cancer, Epstein-Barr Virus, liver cancer, an inflamed gallbladder, dermatomyositis and heart attack.
Trauma, medications, drugs and obesity can also cause elevated muscle enzymes.
Hi all,
I have been trying to find an answer online but I didn't get a definitive answer. I am a hepatitis-b carrier I have been taking vitamin b complex and vitamin-C supplements. I was wondering if they are bad for my liver? It won't cause any damage to my liver, will it? This is the one i take:
Each tablet contains
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) 7mg 636% RDA
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 14mg 1,000%RDA
Niacin 4.
Nicotinic acid (Niacin)
Niacin, like the stains, has been used to treat elevated blood cholesterol levels as well as elevated triglyceride levels. Also like the statins, niacin can damage the liver. It can cause mild transient elevations in blood levels of AST and ALT, jaundice, and, in rare instances, liver failure. Liver toxicity with niacin is dose-dependent; toxic doses usually exceed 2 grams per day.
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