Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can affect the liver. A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been ill lately? Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at the time, and see what that test shows. CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this medication. )O( mama to , 2yo, w/CF, and , 4yo, no CF Liver Enzymes Does anyone know about ALT levels? Our daughter's was 38; the upper limit for normal is 37, so the doctor was not concerned. Could this be an early indication of liver disease? Thanks for any help. , Mom of Syd, 5 w/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( > mama to , 2yo, w/CF, and , 4yo, no CF > > > > Liver Enzymes > > Does anyone know about ALT levels? Our daughter's was > 38; the upper limit for normal is 37, so the doctor > was not concerned. > > Could this be an early indication of liver disease? > > Thanks for any help. > > , > Mom of Syd, 5 w/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 I don't think it's necessarily a progressive thing with kids with CF. Liver stuff can hang out without any progression or overt symptoms for a long time, even forever, especially in CF. It's just something to keep an eye on. Supposedly the Urso works extremely well (it has in our case) but they aren't sure what exactly it does in the body -- mainly that it does reduce the liver enzyme values, which seem to be a general barometer of liver health. I would make sure your child has been tested for biliary atresia, 's disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and anything else that can cause high liver enzymes. The GI we saw tested Jake after three high ALT and AST values (in the mid 100's) and that is how we found out about the alpha-1. )O( mama to , 2yo, w/CF, and , 4yo, no CF Re: Liver Enzymes Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 I don't think it's necessarily a progressive thing with kids with CF. Liver stuff can hang out without any progression or overt symptoms for a long time, even forever, especially in CF. It's just something to keep an eye on. Supposedly the Urso works extremely well (it has in our case) but they aren't sure what exactly it does in the body -- mainly that it does reduce the liver enzyme values, which seem to be a general barometer of liver health. I would make sure your child has been tested for biliary atresia, 's disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and anything else that can cause high liver enzymes. The GI we saw tested Jake after three high ALT and AST values (in the mid 100's) and that is how we found out about the alpha-1. )O( mama to , 2yo, w/CF, and , 4yo, no CF Re: Liver Enzymes Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 I don't think it's necessarily a progressive thing with kids with CF. Liver stuff can hang out without any progression or overt symptoms for a long time, even forever, especially in CF. It's just something to keep an eye on. Supposedly the Urso works extremely well (it has in our case) but they aren't sure what exactly it does in the body -- mainly that it does reduce the liver enzyme values, which seem to be a general barometer of liver health. I would make sure your child has been tested for biliary atresia, 's disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and anything else that can cause high liver enzymes. The GI we saw tested Jake after three high ALT and AST values (in the mid 100's) and that is how we found out about the alpha-1. )O( mama to , 2yo, w/CF, and , 4yo, no CF Re: Liver Enzymes Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 I agree with . My daughter has liver problems and also has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Her first ALT was 196, but the ursodiol brought it down rapidly. We were close to normal in our last blood draw 2 months ago and are scheduled for another next week (we are crossing our fingers for normal). From what the GI docs tell us, some kids sit just above normal and that is their norm. We were also told that 90% of liver problems in CF resolve and are not progressive. The ursodiol thins the bile, allowing it to flow smoothly in the liver. An ALT value of 38 isn't all that high, but worth keeping an eye on. From what I read, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is very underdiagnosed. It wouldn't hurt to check that out next time you're having blood drawn. Keeley mom to Leila, 5m. wcf, and Hadley, 2.5 yrs. nocf Re: Liver Enzymes Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( ------------------------------------------- The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY be construed as medical advice. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS. ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 I agree with . My daughter has liver problems and also has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Her first ALT was 196, but the ursodiol brought it down rapidly. We were close to normal in our last blood draw 2 months ago and are scheduled for another next week (we are crossing our fingers for normal). From what the GI docs tell us, some kids sit just above normal and that is their norm. We were also told that 90% of liver problems in CF resolve and are not progressive. The ursodiol thins the bile, allowing it to flow smoothly in the liver. An ALT value of 38 isn't all that high, but worth keeping an eye on. From what I read, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is very underdiagnosed. It wouldn't hurt to check that out next time you're having blood drawn. Keeley mom to Leila, 5m. wcf, and Hadley, 2.5 yrs. nocf Re: Liver Enzymes Is it an indication of problems to come -- my 10mo old has been on urso (125mg per day) for two months now and will see the GI doc again at the end of January as a followup. I've been counting our blessings that he seems to have no lung problems yet, but does have the reflux and now this.... Crystal mom to Adam 10mo wcf, le 3yr nocf. > My son has elevated liver enzymes due to also having alpha-1-antitrypsin > deficiency, which can affect the liver. > > A regular cold virus, or any active infection, can raise liver enzyme > levels to the high level of normal and even beyond normal. Has Syd been > ill lately? > > Also, lab values can vary...so the result could be high just from lab > variation. I wouldn't worry about the 38 value. It is just about within > normal range. I would just make sure they repeat it maybe in 3 or 6 > months or whenever they next do bloodwork, making sure she is well at > the time, and see what that test shows. > > CF does cause some bile duct blockage sometimes, which can raise ALT. > But again, we're talking to 60, 80, or 150 or even higher. The good news > is if she does trend to elevated enzymes or they get higher or whatever, > Ursodiol is a medication with few side effects that seems to bring the > liver enzymes down quickly and keep them down. My son is on this > medication. > > )O( ------------------------------------------- The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY be construed as medical advice. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS. ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.