Can Canasa cause elevated liver enzymes?

Hi..well, initially you can rule out pregnancy...LOL!!

The very fact that he has UC could be a cause for increased liver enzymes.

The 5ASA can also raise it, but he's on a very low dosage, so I'd say not.

If you or the doctors are thinking PSC...do NOT have the ERCP done...have an MRCP and if it's seen, then he should be put on URSO.

My lfts were increased for over 10 years. I refused the ERCP and once the MRCP was used for diagnosing, it confirmed visually PSC. One thing interesting is that the autoimmune blood testing comes back high positive for PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis). So, don't know if I can have both..but since being on the URSO, my lfts are now normal.

I've never stopped the 5ASA meds...I strongly believe (with no proof, however) that keeping the colon quiet will also keep the PSC quiet and from proressing quickly.

The ERCP has been known to trigger PSC active if it's in very early stages, as well, it can cause pancreatitis...that's why I suggest NOT having it done since there's another diagnostic available that's noninvasive.

This is a good site to bookmark regarding tests...

http://www.labtestsonline.org/

quincy

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*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals 

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

Post Edited (quincy) : 9/25/2007 4:53:00 PM (GMT-6)

I just read something that may answer why my husband's AST enzyme level is elevated. Apparently, strenuous exercise can result in increase AST levels - because AST is not just found in the liver, but also in heart muslce and skeletal muscle. Other liver enzymes like ALT and ALP are found predominantly in the liver, however AST is found in more than just the liver. Strenuous exercise can apparently result in elevated AST levels on liver function tests for upto a week after the exercise session. See: http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/53060.htm

My husband had his physical last Friday, and last tuesday is when we decided we better get back to exercising (after having found one excuse after another to not exercise for the past 6 months). So, last tues and wed, we worked out hard, and got really sore. And he had his physical on Friday. So, seeing that only his AST levels are increased, and that too only marginally above normal, we think that this exercising may be what caused it. So in other words, I think we have a false positive (or at least I'm really hoping it is!).

So, we're going to lay off the exercise, and get his liver function test done again in 2 weeks, and see if the levels return to normal. So, one thing to remember folks, is no strenuous exericse for a week before a physical or a liver function test.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out. But I'm feeling a whole lot better after finding this information.

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Husband with Ulcerative Proctitis
Diagnosed March 2003, 1st Flareup after diagnosis Apr 2006
Currently in Remission
Nightly 1000mg time release Canasa
Even though he has no symptoms, he's on VSL # 3 (1 packet daily) for prevention
Was on the SCD, but we stopped after 4 months of no symptoms - he's doing fine on a normal diet

My husband had his liver enzymes tested again last week, and his results came in normal. So, it appears his AST was elevated because he started a new exercise regimen at the same time that the test was taken. This is a major relief for me. I just thought I'd update the board, if anyone runs into a similar situation.

Thanks for your support
PV

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Husband with Ulcerative Proctitis
Diagnosed March 2003, 1st Flareup after diagnosis Apr 2006
Currently in Remission
Nightly 1000mg time release Canasa
Even though he has no symptoms, he's on VSL # 3 (1 packet daily) for prevention
Was on the SCD, but we stopped after 4 months of no symptoms - he's doing fine on a normal diet