my liver and kidneys ??

[LizPetillo]

Got my blood work back.  Don't have a doctor appt for another few weeks.  Some of the levels were off so I looked them up online (which the doctors just HATE!) ... Playing amature doctor here ... reading up online ...

My 'off' numbers -
Urea Nitrogen (BUN) 32 (H)
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 30 (H)
Globulin  1.8 (L)
Albumin/Globulin Ratio  2.4  (H)
AST  36 (H)
ALT  76  (H)

That 76 ALT is REALLY high. 

Everything I'm reading says these are kidney and liver numbers.
Anyone see anything here that they recognize or can educate
me about?  If you do ... use small words.  I'm fuzzy today.

THANX

[Scottietottie]

Hi Liz

I'm sorry - I can't really help but I'm sure someone will. I know that certain meds can cause liver function tests to read high. Plaquenil, paracetamol/tylenol and Tramadol can all do so - and probably other meds too.

I will read the answers you get with interest.

Take care - Scottie 

[Nat]

Here is a little info on your ALT number. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/test/alt/overview.html

[Madison Granny]

You are right about these being markers for something wrong with the liver and kidneys.  the AST and ALT and the others could mean something like gallstones.  The BUN and creatinine ratio is your kidneys.  I have had my liver ones high and had to have my gallbladder out.  Now my BUN and creatinine are high and I have been told I have stage 3 kidney disease.  But I have also heard that these numbers can be up for alot of reasons and can go back to normal.  I sincerely hope everything goes back to normal for you.

[LizPetillo]

I won't know, of course, until I get to the doctor in 3 weeks.  But I was just curious if others had similar numbers or knew anything about them.

I'm googling ... not happy with what I'm seeing! 

Oh well ..

[LizPetillo]

Polymyositis and possibly a 'fatty liver'.   

[Sooki]

Sometimes, when bloodwork comes up out of range, the doctor will call and discuss it without waiting for the next appt.  You might call the office and tell them you'd like to talk with the doctor about these numbers.  It could be a reaction to something you're taking and you could stop taking it in the meantime. At the very least, you could try for an earlier appt or be sure to get on the cancellation list. 

I believe that in liver issues the main treatment is to stop or fix whatever it is that's irritating the liver and then letting it heal itself. Since all drugs are eventually processed through the liver, you can't really give a stressed liver another drug to help it.  So the sooner the reason is figured out, the faster the healing.

Waiting's really hard.  Good luck.

[Diane54]

My liver enzymes were like a roller coaster....one month they are normal the next they were in the 70's and climbing.....at one time my liver doctor thought I had fatty liver....had a liver biopsy and ended up dianosed with  autoimmune hepatitus. Since I have been on the Plaquenil my liver enzymes have been good for the past 4 months. So not only has Plaquenil helped me with my SS it is helped me with my AIH.

[genko_b]

Talk with the doctor's office about the bloodwork. Some of the "high" results may be connected to medications. It's always best to discuss these in the context of everything else going on with you.

If you are feeling too anxious to wait, try to get on the phone with your doc. I'm fortunate that the ARNP who monitors my case always calls me right away to go over the results of any tests, and sends a hard copy of bloodwork, with her notes on it as to the significance of anything out of the normal range. That way I don't worry for weeks until my next appointment.

Genko

[LizPetillo]

Now I'm freak'n nervous ...

Just talked to the doctor.  Told to REDUCE plaquinel to 200 a day. (from 400). 

I don't want to slip back to how it was pre-plaquinel.

I can't live like that.

At least it isn't a new drug I'm having to try (yet).

Oh man oh man oh man oh man .... 

(I'm having pre-plaquinel flashbacks ... I have serious involvment of neuropathy and I swear the sjogrens was (is!) trying to kill my tongue .. it's white and hurts (NOT thrush!)  I'm just knowing it's going to get worse dropping the plaquinel down ....

oh man oh man oh man oh man ...

[LizPetillo]

Oh .. and the new results of the bloodwork .... worse than 6 weeks ago -

Nitrogen 40 (H)
Creatinine Ratio  47 (H)
Globulin  1.7 (L)
Albumin/Globulin Ratio  2.8 (H)
AST  43 (H)
ALT 98 (H)

[Sooki]

Sorry if you've already mentioned this, but you should see a hepatologist if you aren't already.  If you live near a city, find the hospital that does liver transplants and find a hepatologist associated with them.  They usually have clinics in the surrounding areas.  Not that you would ever need a transplant, but that seems to be where the good hepatologists work.  Tell them your numbers are high and they will probably make time to see you fairly soon.  (That was my husband's experience several years ago when he turned yellow.)  They have years of accumulated knowledge and hopefully can tell you why your numbers are increasing. 

[irish]

Liz, Don't panic at this point about having the plaquenil dose decreased.The doc may have decreased it because he is wondering if it is causing the higher levels and wants to check again down the road. The other thing is that many times when we have elevated liver counts the dosage of some drugs needs to be lower.

This is because with the higher counts the body can't excrete the med as fast from the body. This can cause a person to have too much medication on board. You need to talk with the doc cause there is something or maybe a combination of events that are causing these issues.

I don't know how much fluids you are drinking, but youo need to ask the doc about how much fluid intake you should be doing. Might make a difference also. Hang in there girl, we are all thinking of you and saying some prayers. Irish