Liver Test Results after Statins

I have also been recently prescribed statins but I am not yet at the stage for having follow-up blood tests so I cannot add anything to your post.
However, and I am not being judgmental here, are you sure it is anxiety that triggered your IBS or could it be a reaction between the medication and alcohol? Have there been any other dietary changes?

All drugs can have side effects. I take 2 which can cause an issue with the liver which is why I have regular tests. Occasionally I've had to have a second test because of a raised level, it happens. If it's the statin there are others that might suit you better. The liver is good at regenerating so try not to worry.

It is really good news that your GP has ordered tests to check your liver function after taking statins. Wait for the results of the scan - and try to breathe deeply in the meantime. Did you have liver function tests fairly recently? So results can compare?

It is quite possibly not linked to statins, but to other reasons (and you have pointed out to the possibility yourself). Once you have the results, you will have a good discussion with your GP and try and ascertain the cause, and if any lifestyle changes have to be made. And yes, anxiety does all sorts of strange things to our bodies- so do other factors and mixes.

Good luck, b r e a t h e

I have CKD thanks to long term medication for arthritis which had to be stopped abruptly. Medication does have a habit of causing other problems there will be a way to resolve this.
I started statins a few months ago and I will be interested in results when I have my next liver function tests. My scan was a few years ago tests can fluctuate it could be fatty liver tissue which is common as we age. It might be the statins causing a reaction on the liver tests but the medication can be altered to alleviate it.

It is usual procedure for people to have liver function test after starting on statins because they can damage the liver.

I have known several people this has happened to and they were told they are not allowed to take statins.

It’s a bit scary how quickly damage takes place but try not to worry. Over 20 years ago I was supposed to start on statins but I refused after reading up on them. I am still here, never had a problem and am perfectly well.

I have been on Bisoprolol statins since 2016. Had uncomfortable trickling sensations in my legs rectified by Coenzyme Q10. No other issues....

I have taken statins for years, 40 mg of Simvastatin and have never had a liver function test for them or had one suggested.
However I do have bloods roughly every 18 months when I have my meds review.
Nothing has been remarked on, would these include liver function?

seadragon Bisoprolol is a type of beta-blocker and not a statin.
Do you have to buy the coenzyme Q10 yourself?

Hi Usedtobeblonde, The blood tests that GPs request periodically will include a liver function.

Statins are well known to cause liver problems - it is mentioned in the accompanying leaflet regarding side effects. It is one of the reasons why I am reluctant to take them, as I have ongoing liver issues resulting from complications from glandular fever many years ago.

Primrose53

It is usual procedure for people to have liver function test after starting on statins because they can damage the liver.

I have known several people this has happened to and they were told they are not allowed to take statins.

It’s a bit scary how quickly damage takes place but try not to worry. Over 20 years ago I was supposed to start on statins but I refused after reading up on them. I am still here, never had a problem and am perfectly well.

That's something new I've learnt today - ie 1. risk to liver and 2. more medical procedure stuff (ie liver function tests) if one is taking them.

Whew! When I had an overall health check recently (private - because the NHS doesn't do it!!!) back came one expected factor - heart stuff. There's so much heart stuff in both sides of my family that that did not surprise me. Admits I was gobsmacked at the casual way the doctor just went "Statins!" and I must have given her an old-fashioned look that summed up my (already decided) views on that - as she then just muttered "Oh well - there might be some minor aches and pains".......I just thought "I'm not going down that conversational route - it's a No" but I was rather horrified that's all she said about possible side-effects and she certainly didn't mention risk to liver (amongst quite a few things she didn't mention.........).

There was not a shred of awareness I could spot of me being single/childless/no pets = no responsibilities whatsoever and so "Why would I stay here on Earth and put up with side-effects? What for?" genuine question that instantly went through my mind.

After 2 days of statins, my feet started swelling and I felt rotten. So I stopped taking it. I’m still here 10 years later. I still eat all the things that are not good for you butter , meat etc but in moderation.

What a co-incidence regarding statins and liver function. My DH is currently in hospital. He wasn't well and our GP told me to take him straight to hospital as his oxygen levels were so low. He has COPD and is on several medications for it. It looks like one of the inhalers that was changed by the pharmacist at our surgery could be the cause and to go back on his original one.
However, while he's been in his liver function was high and they cut his statins down to half. He has got to have an abdominal scan this weekend to see what's going on. I wonder sometimes when medicines are prescribed willy nilly without follow up checks.

CariadAgain

Primrose53

It is usual procedure for people to have liver function test after starting on statins because they can damage the liver.

I have known several people this has happened to and they were told they are not allowed to take statins.

It’s a bit scary how quickly damage takes place but try not to worry. Over 20 years ago I was supposed to start on statins but I refused after reading up on them. I am still here, never had a problem and am perfectly well.

That's something new I've learnt today - ie 1. risk to liver and 2. more medical procedure stuff (ie liver function tests) if one is taking them.

Whew! When I had an overall health check recently (private - because the NHS doesn't do it!!!) back came one expected factor - heart stuff. There's so much heart stuff in both sides of my family that that did not surprise me. Admits I was gobsmacked at the casual way the doctor just went "Statins!" and I must have given her an old-fashioned look that summed up my (already decided) views on that - as she then just muttered "Oh well - there might be some minor aches and pains".......I just thought "I'm not going down that conversational route - it's a No" but I was rather horrified that's all she said about possible side-effects and she certainly didn't mention risk to liver (amongst quite a few things she didn't mention.........).

There was not a shred of awareness I could spot of me being single/childless/no pets = no responsibilities whatsoever and so "Why would I stay here on Earth and put up with side-effects? What for?" genuine question that instantly went through my mind.

You had an overall health check and when they offered you some treatment for something they found you didn't take it?

crazyH

After 2 days of statins, my feet started swelling and I felt rotten. So I stopped taking it. I’m still here 10 years later. I still eat all the things that are not good for you butter , meat etc but in moderation.

I tried statins 20 years ago and had such an extreme reaction to all 4 brands that I was prescribed (I couldn't walk) that I haven't had them since.. and am still here fairly fit and well despite having had a heart attack 25 years ago,,

Thanks for all your replies.

A Stitch in Time - I’m sure there’s no connection at all between the IBS and the medication/alcohol as the GP asked me to stop taking it a few days ago. Also, I hadn’t had any alcohol. I only drink at the weekend or on social occasions.

My GP also told me she wasn’t concerned about the results - they were fine when I had them done in May in my routine annual screening but this was an enhanced test looking at additional markers because of the statins. Again, everything was normal except the part that looks at statin damage.

It’s my anxiety (usually about health issues) that causes both the IBS, which I’ve had for many years, and my reaction to the test result.

She asked for the scan as I took the opportunity to ask about my IBS symptoms, which have been more frequent this year, and she just wanted to check for fatty liver or gallbladder issues.

I have just read the leaflet that comes with the statins and it does say it can cause problems with test results. There are others apparently that don’t.

keepingquiet

CariadAgain

Primrose53

It is usual procedure for people to have liver function test after starting on statins because they can damage the liver.

I have known several people this has happened to and they were told they are not allowed to take statins.

It’s a bit scary how quickly damage takes place but try not to worry. Over 20 years ago I was supposed to start on statins but I refused after reading up on them. I am still here, never had a problem and am perfectly well.

That's something new I've learnt today - ie 1. risk to liver and 2. more medical procedure stuff (ie liver function tests) if one is taking them.

Whew! When I had an overall health check recently (private - because the NHS doesn't do it!!!) back came one expected factor - heart stuff. There's so much heart stuff in both sides of my family that that did not surprise me. Admits I was gobsmacked at the casual way the doctor just went "Statins!" and I must have given her an old-fashioned look that summed up my (already decided) views on that - as she then just muttered "Oh well - there might be some minor aches and pains".......I just thought "I'm not going down that conversational route - it's a No" but I was rather horrified that's all she said about possible side-effects and she certainly didn't mention risk to liver (amongst quite a few things she didn't mention.........).

There was not a shred of awareness I could spot of me being single/childless/no pets = no responsibilities whatsoever and so "Why would I stay here on Earth and put up with side-effects? What for?" genuine question that instantly went through my mind.

You had an overall health check and when they offered you some treatment for something they found you didn't take it?

I was checking so that I'm aware of anything I myself need to do re health issues.

"Modern" medicine has only been around since about the 2nd World War. "Alternative/complementary" medicine has been around for centuries - and I'm steadily learning more about it.

If someone is intelligent/has a computer/has time to study what's what for themselves = why wouldn't we treat ourselves? We have our own best interests at heart and aren't concerned with Big Pharma's profits. It's a no brainer imo.

Ok- but you went to a 'modern' Doctor to have the tests done.

Of course alternative/traditional remedies have been around since time out of mind but innovations following the two world wars, as you say have vastly improved people's life spans.

This particularly applies to women and children who previously would have died in childbirth and infancy. Do some research on this too, just to get a balance.

I am not anti any kind of medicine, whether traditional or modern, as long as it keeps me well.

I don't take statins any way- and would probably refuse them.

I had a 'modern' mammogram over fifteen years ago which found the breast cancer for which I had 'modern' treatment.

I didn't ask for the test doing- but it saved my life.

With so much to learn - I have to restrict myself purely and simply to stuff that concerns me - I've never studied stuff to do with childbirth/children/mens issues - because none of those things concern me.

I had a mammogram once - and I'm glad it worked out for you. I came out thinking ".....and that's another darn thing where they haven't told it like it is to me" - as they hadnt mentioned:
a. It would be painful (errr....the whole idea of healthcare is not to have any pain imo).
b. It can actually cause health problems for some women (ie from compressing the breasts).

One of the reasons I'm anti conventional healthcare is they have such a tendency to state that what they do in the way of tests and/or treatment isn't painful or uncomfortable or, if they have no choice but to admit it, then they say it will be rather less than it turns out to be.

Looking back on my own life:
1. We'll only put you into that scanner machine (can't recall what it's called) a little way and then they inched and inched and inched even further - until I told them very firmly "No further - the problem area is the bottom half of my body and no higher".
2. That painful breast scan.
3. Thankfully I'd not decided on the contraceptive loop - or I could have landed up in all innocence finding out "They should use anaesthetic - they probably will try not to". But a friend of mine went in in ignorance and came back and told me that painful little fact they'd not told her or prevented.
4. When I decided on a sterilisation operation (in my 20's) they refused to do it - because I'm a woman! and 50 years later they still refuse a lot of people (because they're women) and whilst doing it for men! Cue for me having to pay a private clinic to do it for me - as they weren't going to discriminate against women like that. They took my £100 (as it was at the time) and Job Done.
5. They think it perfectly acceptable to stick a needle in you - whether for a blood test or jab or whatever - without using local anaesthetic on you first.

No wonder I don't trust conventional medicine as far as I can chuck it....they so often forget the whole purpose of medicine is so that one doesn't feel pain or discomfort (so why do they dish out so much of it themselves?!).

Oh dear, I can't even...

Me neither!

And me!

I too have had a blood test for liver function having been on statins about 4 months. Going for results next week, have appointment with clinical pharmacist at the surgery. Will also tell him I haven't taken the statins for three weeks, just did not feel well. Back on form now, will ask for a different medication. I do trust modern medicine! Have no reason not to , a family member was diognosed with type 1 diabetes aged

three. Without modern medicine he would not be here , obviously he is insulin dependent and will die without his insulin - modern medicine thankyou !

seadragon

I have been on Bisoprolol statins since 2016. Had uncomfortable trickling sensations in my legs rectified by Coenzyme Q10. No other issues....

I think Bisoprolol is a beta blocker, not a statin?