chron's and your liver

[SHELBEL]

Last year I was finally diagnosed with crohns after numerous years of speculation.  The past three weeks I have numerous blood work ups. My liver enzymes have increased each week.  My doctor has stated he believes the crohns has gone to my liver.  I was unaware this could happen.  I am having extreme pain on my lower left side as well as my right side.  I am 51 years old.  The current meds I am on are pamine forte 5 mg twice daily, Asacol 400 mg three times a day entocort ec 3mg 3 daily, and azathioprine 50 mg 2 times daily.  Could all this medicine be poisoning my liver or could it be the crohns?  

I am having a cat scan, liver biopsy and blood work this week.

Also are there any online support groups for this

Thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I am not aware of Crohn's disease "going to your liver" as well.  You may want to rule out other liver disorder, perhaps with a hepatitis screen and ultrasound as an initial workup.

Medications can always be a culprit for rising liver enzymes.  The azathioprine specifically can be hepatotoxic.  If this is suspected and the liver function tests are significantly abnormal, you can discuss with your personal physician whether this is the right medication for you.

The liver biopsy is the most comprehensive test and should be able to rule in or out most of the more common liver diseases.

I looked for some Crohn's disease support groups on Google:
http://www.google.com/search?q=crohn%27s+support+group&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[lizziecee]

Hi - I have had Crohn's for some 35 yrs, diagnosed when I was 25. I have never had any problem with my liver - I am on methotrexate tablets, 15 mg once weekly, and have blood tests once monthly. However, when I had flare two years ago my new gastro suggested he do a liver biopsy before he renewed my methotrexate prescription. I then got breast cancer, so all the Crohn's tests went by the wayside. Gastro said blood tests are not conclusive, but after talking to a liver specialist he decided it was too risky to do a biopsy. It is not without problems. I am doing okay-ish - terrible diarrhea in the mornings, but coping with codeine phosphate morning and evenings.
Hope you do well with forthcoming results. Please e-mail if I can help further: ***@****.
Take care, Liz.

[xdomx]

I have had Crohn's Disease for 20 years and a recent CT showed a lesion on my liver.  MRI scheduled next week.  I have never felt better health wise - gaining weight, exercise daily, etc...  My blood levels are fine.  I have been on Imuran and Pentasa for about 8 years.  I had a normal colonoscopy and UGI with SBFT last summer. Maybe Crohn's does go to the liver?

[dawnchelle]

I have done extensive research on crohn's and the liver because I too have been diagnosed with crohn's and my liver function tests are high as well.  What is happening is that the croons is an auto-immune diseases and your body is attacking your liver as if it were a virus in your body search Google crohn's and your liver there is a lot of information.  this was taken from a web site on the subject.  

Other complications associated with Crohn's disease include arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these problems resolve during treatment for disease in the digestive system, but some must be treated separately.

[Empreinte]

A GREAT WEB SITE FOR SUPPORT IS:

www.about.com

It's free and all you have to do is register with your E and a password.  Go to Forums and there are many sections regarding Crohn's and anything else that is G.I. related.  They also have a search on their site so you can essentially look up anything you want that isn't G.I. related.  Also, the Moderator can be E mailed and she will E mail you back.  Medicine site is included on this site and it's the best site I've found and I've searched all over.  

Good luck - I have Crohn's and what a terrible illness and a wicked time I've had with this insideous disease.

Hope you find this site helpful~

Empreinte