Medication raising AST & ALT ???

[derekliz]

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Goodmorning! I was wondering if anyone knows or has expereinced Losartan (Cozaar) raising AST and/or ALT levels?

I am a 41 yr old female 5'5" 126#

My levels have always been normal until I started the meds and they were slowly rising. Now 5-6 months after taking Losartan, my levels are:
AST (SGOT) 40 Range 0-40
ALT (SGPT) 55 Range 0-40 HIGH
Protein total serum 6.6 Range 6.0-8.5
Albumin serum 4.3 Range 3.5-5.5
Bilirubin total 0.6 Range 0.0-1.2
Alkaline Phosphate 112 Range 25-150
Bilirubin Direct .015 range 0.00-0.40


Any thoughts? My MD is running all kinds of tests to check for hepatitis, Wilson's Disease, Hemochromatosis and some others.

I recently had a Abdominal CT with Contrast looking for pheochromocytoma and all was negative. On the report, it indicated that my liver was unremarkable....is that a good sign?

I have a 6mm nodule on my thyroid that the dr's are watching and will do another u/s in a month to monitor growth. TSH runs about .45 and I am not on thyroid meds. I read that thyroid problems can raise LFT #'s

Really worried and would love some thoughts!

Thanks!
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[rpooo]

Good morning. I realize I might be a bit late but I have a couple of things to tell you that might ease your mind. A remarkable liver is to be without anything worth remarking on. So this is good!

Also Losartan (cozaar) will increase your liver enzymes. (AST-ALT)

Thyroid nodules are common and are often detected incidentally when a patient has a neck ultrasound. A nodule may range in size from several mm to several cm, and may be detected visibly, by examination of the neck clinically, or by ultrasound assessment. Given the increasing availability of ultrasounds and frequency with which ultrasounds are obtained, incidental thyroid nodules are frequently first ascertained following ultrasound assessment. Small thyroid nodules detected only on ultrasound, generally only a few millimeters (mms) in size, are usually of minimal clinical significance. The majority of larger thyroid nodules are also benign, and usually do not produce symptoms.  

I hope this helps you out. Take care.

Randy

[derekliz]

Thanks Randy~   I have now been off the Cozaar for 1 week and thank God my BP is NORMAL!!!!

I am having repeat liver enzymes drawn next week and will post the results...fingers crossed!

[rpooo]

Wow that is really great news. You will probably see a drop in your enzymes but dont be alarmed if its just a little high still. it takes time. I look forward to hearing your results, take care.
Randy

[derekliz]

I actually got my lab results this morning and all is back to normal!!  I am also taking Prevacid 30mg which I believe can also raise AST/ALT. I stopped taking it a few days before this testing and all seems good. Now I wonder if it is the prevacid????  I took the Cozaar the night before these labs were drawn but now have been off the meds for 1 week.

BUN/CREATININE RATIO NOT APPLICABLE 6-22
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.5 N 0.2-1.2
AST 12 N 10-30
ALT 6 N 6-40
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 70 N 33-115
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO 1.6 N 1.0-2.1
ALBUMIN 4.4 N 3.6-5.1

[rpooo]

I am so glad to see your results looking so good! You must feel so relieved. I am quite familar with prevacid since I took it for the last couple of years. I found it is great medication and works very well. To my knowledge there are no damaging side effects to the drug since it was prescribed to me by my gastroligist.

Since your blood pressure seems to be under control then you probably dont need the "Cozaar". However you should mention it to your doctor and check your blood pressure at least weakly for a while.

Randy