Liver / 6mp

Lula

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2006

Posts : 21

Posted 8/31/2007 9:13 AM (GMT -6)

Hi there -

Quick question . . . for those of you who had to reduce or come off 6mp due to liver complications, do you have an idea of how elevated your liver enzymes were? I just got a call from my family doc yesterday, and she's concerned because my ALT (measures liver function) is at 94. Apparently the normal range is under 35. I haven't heard yet from my GI, just wondering whether this is considered "normal" and within the acceptable range while on 6mp, or if I can expect to have my dose lowered or be taken off it altogether.

Thanks all!

Diagnosed with UC (Pancolitis) on October 24, 2006

Asacol - 4800 mg daily (3 tablets x 4 times/day)
6mp - 75 mg daily
Finally off the Prednisone!!

andidear

New Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 2

Posted 9/11/2007 1:19 PM (GMT -6)

I am dealing with the same question right now.

My level is at 118 and my Dr cut me from 2X 6MP per day to 1X (50 MG).

He wants me back in a month to re-test my bloodwork. If my ALT levels are not decreasing, he said I will have to stop taking it.

I am very upset about this since I am 100% good on my meds right now.

Also - I am getting a 2nd opinion since I am very concerned about my liver!

ks1905

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 5203

Posted 9/11/2007 4:10 PM (GMT -6)

Please do not be upset by this...it is common until they find the right dosage for you, unfortunately it is a trial and error thing. I was on 75 mgs and had to go down to 50 mgs; I was really upset at the time but it wasn't that big a deal when I look back at it now.

What I had to do is stop taking 6-mp for 3 or 4 days and then lower the dose to 50 mgs; I went back for blood work the following week and it was back in acceptable ranges.

My family doc says the normal LFTs for anyone (not on Meds) is within 60 but my GI says that it is 40 and below. My GI wants the LFTs below 80 if he has a patient on 6-mp/imuran; he told me that some GIs will accept 120 and below. My LFTs are in the 30's right now.

--Keith

DX'd with Pan-Colitis June 2005

Current Status: Flaring since May

Current Meds: 6-mp & Colocort

Supplements: None

njguy69

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 276

Posted 9/12/2007 5:42 AM (GMT -6)

I've had this issue with 6MP for almost twenty years and my readings always varied between blood tests. It's just the way it is with this drug. I always found 'Milk Thistle' to be helpful. You can find it at any GNC store.

UC since 1986.

Asacol - four a day
6 MP - one a day.
Remicade - every eight weeks.

Lula

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2006

Posts : 21

Posted 9/23/2007 8:19 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks so much for your responses.

Just a quick update --- the doc had me re-test the ALT levels a couple of weeks later, and they'd risen to the high 140s (from mid-90s). I have to drop the 6mp down to 50mg from 75mg, and go back to weekly blood tests to ensure the ALT is dropping.

I'm just hoping this doesn't set off any symptoms as I'm finally feeling better.....

Diagnosed with UC (Pancolitis) on October 24, 2006

Asacol - 4800 mg daily (3 tablets x 4 times/day)
6mp - 75 mg daily
Finally off the Prednisone!!

MitzMN

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2007

Posts : 651

Posted 9/24/2007 8:11 AM (GMT -6)

Milk thistle, as someone else mentioned, is a great support for the liver. Get some and take it. It can't hurt and it surely could help!

Mitz

Sporadic proctitis since about 1985. Mother had UC, then J-pouch surgery 1983.
DX'd with clostridium difficile in 2000. Prednisone, two courses of Flagyl, then Vancomycin finally got rid of it. Symptomatic with UC after that.
Colonoscopy in 2001 dx'd left-sided UC. Was pretty darn ill at that time. Treated with prednisone, Rowasa, Asacol. Asacol not working so switched to Imuran. Three small flares since in 2002, 2005, and 2007.
Gall bladder attack 6/13; ultrasound showed stones; surgery before end of 2007.
100 mg Azathioprine and 225 mg Effexor XR (for chronic, longstanding depression) daily.

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