now I'm nervous! - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

lismark · 01-16-2006, 10:04 AM

Hi! My husband is 27, pretty physically healthy and active.... About a year ago we found out he has high cholesterol, unfortunately it runs in his family. Anyway, they put him on lipitor and for a while the blood tests were coming back ok... about 2 months ago they started showing high enzymes... they made him get hep tests which all came back negative... then they made him go off the meds for about 6 weeks and get another blood test. Well now his liver enzymes are still high and he has to go for an ultrasound... So now I'm nervous! What could this be? COuld it be nothing serious? ANy help would be VERY much appreciated!

happyelf · 01-16-2006, 10:38 AM

hi lismark-High cholesterol usually goes hand in hand with fatty liver--which will elevate your enzymes. It can be reversed with good diet and exercise. (I am not overweight and I had fatty liver) Lipitor is known to cause high enzymes,but since they are doing an U/S, it sounds like they are looking for fatty liver, which they will be able to see. Any meds can elevate you#'s, as well as stress and even strenuous exercise right before the bloodtest. Even a high protein diet can elevate them. Did they tell your husband what his #'s (alt and ast) were? Just for peace of mind--most ppl have elevated enzymes more than once in their life and don't even know it-while it's alarming to the patient, it's very common and the dr usually wants to know what's going on. Sounds like your husband is in good hands. Hang in there...Gina

inyourdreams · 01-16-2006, 11:41 AM

I once had high cholesterol related to my fatty liver--after liver flushing, I now have no elevated enzymes and my cholesterol is 161! It used to be over 240.

My hubby is on Lipitor too and I plan on getting him off of it just as soon as he agrees to flush---in which he has, but he just hasn't taken the initiative yet. That Lipitor is poison to the body and it wouldn't surprise me if they take it off the market like they have Propulsid, Vioxx, etc. His enzymes were up on the 20 mg dose, but the Dr lowered him to 10 and he hasn't had a recheck since.

Most likely your husbands enzymes are just cell damage that has been caused by the drug. I don't know if they have a replacement yet for Lipitor but maybe see if he can adjust the dose somehow if he has to--if diet doesn't help. The liver is a very forgiving organ and will regenerate healthy cells after you get the medicine out of your body. Has he tried taking flax or fish oil or even red yeast rice?

lismark · 01-16-2006, 07:21 PM

thanks for the helpful info! I am hoping it is nothing serious, at least something that can be fixed with diet and exercise. I guess I just panicked after doing a quick search and pulling out some pretty scary things on the Internet. Since he has nothing else seemingly wrong or any other symptoms, I've got to believe its fine. Thanks again!