elevated liver enzymes post-RNY anyone?

Hi, there!

I found this thread by doing a search.

I am having similiar issues. 

Can you give an update?

Thanks!

Vanessa

Hi Wendy,

I have been going through the same thing. Normal liver enzymes before surgery and about 6 months after they started rising. I had my gallbladder removed and that wasn't the problem. I had a liver biopsy locally and was told that there was nothing showing and then was sent to a liver specialist instead of the local GI doctor.

I am now scheduled for my second liver biopsy because the specialist didn't like the quality (or quantity) of the first one. I also had all the hepatitis tests, etc and also have no symptoms. I take Lexapro but refused to stop that and the Wellbutrin that I am on. The specialist said that the Tylenol that is in my Vicodin is definitely not the issue.

I also lost the weight in a little over 6 months and have been in maintenance for almost 2 years...... are we twins?? LOL!

If they recommend a liver biopsy, I would suggest a specialist. The specialist had me go off all of my vitamins and supplements for a month and with my bariactric Dr approval, I did. As you said, no cigar. My numbers aren't quite as high as yours, but I would like to know why.

Second biopsy in 2 weeks...

Martha

hey let me know if/when they find anything.

during my research, i can find quite a few post-op RNYers & DSers that have had this - only to go through all the testing and have the DRs pretty much throw up their hands & say they have no idea what is causing it but the liver is fine.

i obviously want my liver to be fine, but i DO want to know what is causing this.  a normal healthy liver should not leak enzymes into the bloodstream.  so i cant imagine just giving up & saying "we don't know why it's doing it, but your liver is fine." and patting me on the head & telling me to go home.  i'll have to get a second opinion if they tell me that - then maybe a third too.  i have to know what is causing this. 

i have had more than my share of surgeries (between RNY, then my cosmetic + all my female surgeries) so I hope my taking vicodin in the past hasnt caused liver damage.  because i have taken that (although not lately)

My taking the Vicodin didn't start until well after the liver enzyme issues, and hasn't effected the numbers at all.

Martha

hi everyone...i also am experiencing higher than normal liver functions on blood tests since my RNY  9/03.  Every couple of years doctors check me for hepititis, do liver ultra sound, etc., etc., and all is ok which is great BUT should anyone find out any more info as to why, please post it here for all of us with this obviously common post rny after affect.  btw, my rny was not open.    as i am sure many of you are, i am sick and tired of going through all this with different doctors.  thanks for your help and for being there.  carol

Hi, there!

I found this thread by doing a search.

I am having similiar issues. 

Can you give an update?

Thanks!

Vanessa

Basically, through trial & error (cutting out various culprits I would come across via research that have been shown, even in the minority of cases, to increase liver enzymes), I have gotten my enzymes down to almost normal where they have been consistently now for a few months.

I went off Lexapro and switched to Prozac since Lexapro has been shown to increase liver enzymes.

I went off Splenda and decreased the sugar-free gum I chewed (since it also contains artificial sweeteners) and now use NuStevia (all natural sweetener).

I decreased the amount of protein powder I supplement with (which I needed to do anyway since it wasn't really necessary at this point).  Really, noone needs to get in 150 grams of protein a day, so it was unnecessary.  (But protein cocoa and protein ice cream is just SOOO good LOL!)

My enzymes are now down to around 52 AST and 71 ALT as of last lab in December 2011.

LIVER	AST(SGOT)	17 - 59 or 10 - 34 or 10 - 42	18.0	40.0	58.0	125.0	82.0	84.0	109	86	45	44	52
LIVER	ALT(SGPT)	21 - 72 or 10 - 44 or 10 - 40	18.0	18.0	73.0	189.0	144.0	156.0	158	141	72	70	71

I have found the main culprit in my case to be the protein powder and artificial sweeteners.  Whey protein is more work for the body to digest than soy protein.  Artificial sweeteners are the same.  The liver working really hard is what causes liver enzymes to leak into the body (hence elevated enzymes in the blood).  I just cut down on the stuff that made my liver work harder.

Good luck!

Wen

Thank you!  I appreciate your time!

I'm glad it all worked out for you! 

Thanks again,

Vanessa

Very interesting... I recently went off the Lexapro and switched to another antidepressant but it was because my insurance no longer would pay for the Lexapro. My numbers are/were similar to your new low so that is why I haven't chased this much further. It will be interesting to see if the change in meds lower my levels even more..... 

I never went that high on the protein and now get almost all my protein from food (except my morning Click fix and a Atkins bar because they are yummy!) I shoot for 80-90g of protein daily. 

Thanks for your update!!

Can you point me to articles with research findings? Mine were fine till after surgery and I used a lot of whey based protein powder pre surgery. It has Stevia and no artificial sweeteners. I have been consuming more Splenda since surgery. I hate it though. I'd rather get more calories with sugar than use that junk. You just confirmed it for me.