Lupus and the Liver?

[sarajamo]

This past week I have been in 3 times for blood tests. My first visit, I had an elevated AST and ALT, the next visit just an elevated ALT. I went back in today for more tests. The doctor thinks I might have something wrong with my liver. Does anyone know if these 2 tests have anything to do with lupus? I was dx with lupus back in April with a positive ANA, now it's borderline. It keeps changing. Can anyone relate?

Sara

[cath]

Hi Sara, :wave:

I haven't got a diagnosis yet but Lupus is the prime suspect...
Yes I too have abnormal LFT's (ALT 167 at one stage). I'm having a liver scan next week.

I think it is fairly rare for the liver to be involved in SLE, although some people have both autoimmune hepatitis and SLE. More commonly raised LFT's are due to a drug reaction. If that is suspected sometimes docs with withdraw the suspected med and see if the levels improve. I did once read that in SLE, rheumatologists are not too worried so long as the levels are less than three times above normal, although when I asked my rheumy if she agreed and therefore wasn't worried, she was very non-commital. Personally I think it is safer to try and get it worked out what is causing them.
:flowers:
Do you have any other symptoms?

Liver inflamation can cause the following; :nurse:
Itchy skin including itchy palms of the hands and soles of the feet
A yellow tinge to the skin and whites of the eyes
Fatigue
Nausea and loss of appetite
Spider angiomas - little broken veins that have a central spot and lots of little legs (hence the name)
Easy bruising and bleeding
Pain under the ribs, either in the middle or on the right side

I hope you get an answer to your problems soon and aren't feeling too unwell,
X C X :luck:

[sarajamo]

That helps a lot, thanks! My body has been having a lot of water retention, so I've been looking really puffy. The doctor put me back on plaquenil and it's starting to get better. I'm not sure if the water retention is due to the liver or lupus. All my other symptoms (hair loss, headaches, joints & muscle pain, fatigue) are all lupus related. My blood work just keeps changing. I think I have baffled my doctors. Thanks again for your response and I hope you you have a great doctor so you can get Well!

Sara

[jh.sthelens]

:wave:
Hi Sara. I have Auto-Immune Chronic Active Hepatitis. I was diagnosed in October 2001. I was on Prednisolone first then Azathioprine 50mg which I am still on. I have developedd a rash over my nose and cheeks, my neck has a rash which is permanent and gets worse in the sun ans went to my dr. He did an ANA test which is inconclusive. I am too waiting to find out if I have Lupus. It don't come easy this Lupus does it? You are not alone we are both looking down the same pipe, you from your end and me from mine!
Be well.

[foreverfriends1]

Hello there - I have antinuclear positive - am almost diagnosed or would be if the rheumy could see me before December and my liver function tests are scary! GammaGT has stayed static for 6 months and is elevated - even tho pain meds have stopped. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid.gif foreverfriends1

saw the rheumy. who took 12 lots of blood(s) and he has also done the LFT's too. He said he would phone me as the blood tests take 3 weeks. It will be just about 2 weeks when i phone him this Wednesday. I will be so glad to have a diagnosis & to be given treatment via injection if needed.