Liver Test Results after Statins

Thanks.
I think when we get to a certain age, we have all kinds of symptoms coming up. NHS is busy and waiting times is awful, Wish we have more new hospitals, specialist clinics and recruit more healthcare workers.

Aprilgem, I don’t think that’s the official name for it, but what I meant was a more in-depth test than the usual one and specifically looking at other markers (GGT I think) that would show up any problems caused by the statins.
It’s just done at the GP surgery.
Hope all goes well with your scan. They can take such a long time can’t they? Luckily my GP asked for fine to be done urgently - I think because I was so worried as had other symptoms .

Hello Sillyoldbird, came across your post. Glad you have the answer to your problems and hope you are feeling better. What is 'enhanced’ liver function test? Is it the same as the normal liver function test where you can do it at your local surgery? Does it indicate, shows the ALT, ASTs? I am waiting for my scan. Hope I haven't interrupted anything. All the best.

Just a bit of an update in case anyone’s interested. I went for my ultrasound scan on Tuesday - my GP asked them to look at my liver and gallbladder (as I’d been having some intermittent pain and stomach problems) .
The full report hasn’t reached my GP yet but the doctor who did the scan did say there was nothing to worry about but I did have gallstones.
I’ve been quite poorly for the last two weeks so presuming this it’s what’s causing it.
However, my poor health anxiety brain is telling me that they found something else more serious .
Sometimes, I even annoy myself.

Granmarderby10

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

I’ve been on bisopolol for the past few weeks and the surgery want me to start on statins.
I really am not sure what to do.
I had an echocardiogram today and got the impression that my heart isn’t in such a bad state. I’ll wait for the cardiologist to give me his report.

valdavi

Bisoprolol is definitely not a statin ( & is a beta blocker). Don't worry too much as liver enzymes (liver function tests ) are one of the most temporary measures there is in medicine. Probably the statins caused it ( that's why they do check) & when you're not taking them down they'll go like clockwork.

Valdavi thanks for that - very reassuring.

I think the reason I got so worried was because of how high the reading was. Still, I’ve been taking them for around 4 months and you’re supposed to test after 8 weeks. So maybe there’s been a build-up of enzymes during this time.

I had raised liver function showed up on routine test. Just have to have them done again later. Raised liver function can be caused by certain medications and also lifestyle. It can be reversed.

CariadAgain

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?!).

Just a small comment on your rant. The reason they refused your sterilisation was because to all intents and purpose was because you were a perfectly healthy woman.
That’s what I was told at age 34.
Having read your post is there anything in the 21st century field of medicine that you appreciate 🤷‍♀️

Bisoprolol is definitely not a statin ( & is a beta blocker). Don't worry too much as liver enzymes (liver function tests ) are one of the most temporary measures there is in medicine. Probably the statins caused it ( that's why they do check) & when you're not taking them down they'll go like clockwork.

This is what the NHS has to say about statins/liver disease.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/considerations/

Megan777 sorry, i didn’t mean me, I was replying to Daddima who asked what CKD stood for.

Sillyoldbird

I’m guessing it’s Chronic Kidney Disease?

Statins can mess with liver enzymes sometimes, so I think is that instead

I’m guessing it’s Chronic Kidney Disease?

Redhead56

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.

What is CKD?

I assume you’ll refuse ‘modern’ treatment if you’re ever taken ill then Cariad?

(Sorry, just seen someone else pointed that out upthread)

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?

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 !

And me!

Me neither!

Oh dear, I can't even...

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?!).

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.

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.

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.