Blood Test shows abnormal Liver reading

[books]

I am currently on Epilim Chrono 2000mg a day & Phenytoin 300mg.
I have been taking Epilim since 1990 & was on 1500mg up until 2004 when it was increased to 2000mg a day.

I have noticed over last few years that my weight has decreased slightly & I have a bad digestive system.
Also I have noticed a decrease in my appetite & if I was to eat certain foods that I could eat for dinner fine with no effects in the past, now I cannot eat as much & sometimes gets to stage where I have to vomit due to feeling sick at night.
I don’t drink alcohol.

My concern is that after noticing these signs, I requested that my GP carried out a full blood test (as I had not had one for approx 3 Yrs), and the blood test result returned abnormal reading or level in liver results, I think my GP said.
I was concerned when my GP asked me how well I was controlled & then asked if I drink & then said that all was O.K.
I explained my distress & concern that there could be a problem with my liver as I have suffered certain symptoms that could point out that liver problems may be present.
My GP ended up saying to me that I need not worry & that they would do another blood test in 6 months. I DID NOT find this very reassuring & expected some further tests to be done.
Please could anyone advise me if I should request further tests & what tests are relevant?

 

[RobinN]

Hi Books - not sure I would accept that answer if it had been given to me.
I did some research on the liver and you might want to look at it.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/liver-health-4225/

I think it would be a good idea to learn more so that when you see a specialist you will know the questions to ask. This doctor seems to be putting you off. Your liver is too important to do that.

 

[Kansas Educator]

I am in a similar situation. I am taking Depakote ER 1000 mg. I am also experiencing some digestive upset and elevated liver enzymes. However, since the elevated levels are holding steady and not continuing to rise, my neurologist wants to wait until May to retest and then decide whether to change meds. I am tired of the digestive issues. I have no seizures but the digestive problems bite.

 

[dfwtexas]

I have elevated liver levels too. But mine are more than likely related to the hydrocodone that I have been on for 3 years...Keppra does go thru the liver. Doc is just keeping an eye on it, checking the level every 3 months. He said as long as it doesn't go up any higher, it's ok

 

[jfrazier1221]

After I had my 1st seizure the ER doctor put me on Dep. but I couldn't stay away or even walk straight on top of that. After he put me on Dep. he said that this med will effect the liver and highly recommended no drinking. Can you believe that...he wanted me to a medicine that wouldn't even allow me to drink my worries away!:crying:

Long story short. Dep will increase levels in the liver and I got off dep. right away!

 

[Kansas Educator]

Well, I'm not really much of a drinker anyway so that didn't impact me.

 

[drarvindr]

I too have elevated liver enzyme levels. you don't mention in your post what enzymes are elevated. If only your sgot and pt (you guys call it AST and ALT) are elevated a bit , you needn't freak out too much. happens to everyone on valproate. Watch for the tell tale signs of liver failure:
1)jaundice
2)pruritus (itchy-ness)
3) spider naevi (spider like red marks on your shoulders , neck and chest which disappear if you press them and reappear on removing your finger)
4) large hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
5) increased estrogen leading to menstrual irregularitie in women and gynaecomastia (appearance of feminine breasts) in men
6) mental status changes.

See any one of these signs and you may want to follow up more aggressively on your results