liver questions continued

[cantlivenotknowing]

Continued from previous post

A couple of questions if you read my prior post.

Give 3 consecutive ALT findings of 70, 48 and 58, my Dr. thinks I have fatty liver because my triglycerides are at 300 and my cholesterol is elevated (always has been) He wants to put me on a medicine called TRICOR for lowering triglycerides. Has anybody tried this med?

I have read bad news about it and I want to make sure that I do not aggravate an already existing problem.

Do you think my liver enzymes will ever normalize? Does anybody have experience with 3 concecutive elevated liver tests and then normalizing indefinitely?

Would you think it is fatty liver or pathology which is causing the elevation?

Any insight or experience on these topics would be helpful. Also, just based on what I have posted about my history and tests, do you think if I do have spotty severe fibrosis that it will heal in time?

Thanks

[MissMiss]

My husband had triglycerides over 1700 (no typo there) and with my stomping his diet they are coming closer to normal all the time.  It's been about 3-4 years.  His total cholesterol was over 600.  Yikes!

miss

[WillPower]

I have high triglycerides and eat very little food that is considered to promote this problem.  The only suspect food has been butter and eggs.  I stopped all butter and egg yolks, only egg whites, and I am now normal.  Have you sincerely tried diet to see if it changes your triglycerides?  It is easy for all of us to use the crutch of drugs because we love the butter and egg yolks, so to speak.

[NYCMark]

Hi there. I too have a "fatty liver" based on liver biopsy. Because of high triglycerides, my doctor put me on Tricor too. I do have Hepc and am currently in the middle of treatment. He chose Tricor because it is less toxic to the liver than the statin type of drugs. (He's a very good liver specialist, a leader in research).
My ALT/AST have just about returned to normal on combo therapy. What bad things have you heard about Tricor?
Do you have confidence in your doctor? If so, try what he suggests, as it sounds a reasonable and usual treatment.
Best luck!
Mark

[Terrylee8]

My liver studies always go up and my cholesterol levels always go down.  ALT/AST 2-300, cholesterol down to 140 from 297 15 years ago

[cantlivenotknowing]

Thanks for the reply. I have seen more than my share of Drs. over this past year, some of the best. I have 2 hepatologists, 1 gastroenterologist and my family dr.  

I know the enzyme elevations are minimal, the thing is that it doesn't feel like a minimal problem. I also have Palmar Erythema, bloodshot eyes all the time, peripheral neuropathy and a host of other symptoms.  

The medication Tricor also called Fenifibrate apparently can cause peripheral neuropathy which I already have, has been linked to cancer etc. I don't think it is worth the risk to take it. Anyway, I know this is not a forum on medicines, so I'll try and keep it to liver topics.

I have found this form to be the most informative and amazing place to read about peoples experiences with Liver issues. Even though I suffer from a slightly different cause, I have found no place online that provides the knowledge on subtle liver idiosynchracies which I beleive apply to my case in many instances. Peace be with you all.

[ladybug52]

I'm sorry you feel so bad and are worried about your health. What kind of dr are you seeing? Do you think he's a good dr? I can't second guess an MD if he says you have fatty liver. My sister-in-law has been diagnosed with that and has had health problems for years. I think her underlying problem is alcohol abuse, good for you that you don't have to blame alcohol for your problems. My only thought is that your enzymes are not as high as many people who post here. Many would love to have those enzyme levels! I know that's not much of a consolation, but your health problems could be the fatty liver or something not liver related. Good luck getting help, if the med will help the triglycerides why not take it?
Bug