other lab values?

nancy591

Does anybody else monitor other labs besides the ca125 and WBCs? My AST and ALT are both elevated. Probably liver inflammation. This is the first time those levels have been elevated since starting chemo in 2008. Wondering if anyone else has the same problem from the chemo? I haven't spoke with the doc about it as I am able to access my labs online. Still anxiously waiting for my ca125 to be posted

upsofloating

Hi Nancy,
I had weekly chemo
Hi Nancy,
I had weekly chemo profiles while on chemo and had to deal with rising liver enzymes (AST & ALT) while on Gemzar this year. It really freaked me out as every time I was on one the Gyn Onc sites there was a scrolling ad for Gemzar which always seemed to hit the point cautioning of liver problems/liver failure as a result of Gemzar infusions. My gyn-onc was less worried and one of fellows told me there is a level at which they hold treatment - I think it was 2.5 times normal was okay, but higher required Dr approval - which I got. Both times I took chemo break they returned to normal values fairly quickly. I think liver does get stressed processing these 'poisons' out of our system.
Hope this eases your concerns a little.
Annie

kayandok

AST and ALT
Hi Nancy, my doctor checks these every time I get labs along with my a few other things. Oddly enough, mine were elevated quite high after my very first surgery, 3 1/2 years ago (not complete debulk) and chemo. They were so concerned about it that they sent me to a liver specialist and she did an ultra sound and sent blood out to make sure I didn't have any serious issues. THey all came back normal, but the liver doc told my gyn/onc that I would probably not be able to tolerate long term chemo. Every time I got chemo the numbers went up and then back down on firstline chemo. Then, I recurred and am now on 4th line. Now, they are always in normal range and not a problem. Go figure!

kathleen

KarynH

kayandok said:

AST and ALT
Hi Nancy, my doctor checks these every time I get labs along with my a few other things. Oddly enough, mine were elevated quite high after my very first surgery, 3 1/2 years ago (not complete debulk) and chemo. They were so concerned about it that they sent me to a liver specialist and she did an ultra sound and sent blood out to make sure I didn't have any serious issues. THey all came back normal, but the liver doc told my gyn/onc that I would probably not be able to tolerate long term chemo. Every time I got chemo the numbers went up and then back down on firstline chemo. Then, I recurred and am now on 4th line. Now, they are always in normal range and not a problem. Go figure!

kathleen

Hi Nancy,
I made a chart on Excel and keep track of every lab report for my mom.

She was diagnosed in August 2009. CA-125 was 996. Her AST & ALT has been normal throughout her entire chemo.

Her ALK PHOS has been high from the beginning. On the average it’s been around 180. (normal range is 50-136)

After 18 rounds of chemo her ALT PHOS all of a sudden became normal down to the 120 range and has been normal since Nov. 2010. Her CA-125 was 40 at the time it became normal.

She has now had a total of 23 rounds of chemo. Carbo/Taxol, Carbo/Taxol/Avastin, and currently Cytoxan,/Avastin

I don't believe the chemo elevated her ALT PHOS number, since it was elevated even before her 1st chemo. I chart all her labs like a hawk, and get the big eyeroll from the Dr. every now and then....but I don't care! One thing I've learned is that you have to double check everything.

I hope there is something that could be done to help get those AST & ALT numbers down.

-Karyn

antcat

Lab Values response to Nancy591
Hi Nancy, my lab values have been pretty low this go around of chemo. Either myt ALT or AST went up just a little, not sure which one. But, with previous chemos, particularly when I was on Taxol and Carbo, my AST and ALT were elevated and that oncologist advised me that it was due to the chemo. Once I went off chemo, they did go down. But, I know people get concerned especially when it deals with the liver. I think I'm on the same chemo treatment as you, Avastin and Cytoxan. I always check my labs on line, sometimes I think that's not a good thing, because it does make a person worry. And, what was funny, last time my glucose level was very elevated. I had it taken a week before at my primary care physician and it was normal, so I don't understand it. And, when the nurse called me from MSK to let me know about my blood work, she said every thing was normal. Try and figure that out. I asked her about the glucose and explained to her that I did eat 2 meals prior to the blood draw and that it was normal the week before, but didn't really get any response, so I told my primary care physician about it when I went for my weekly checkup and he said that was a little high but would check it when I go the next time.

nancy591

antcat said:

Lab Values response to Nancy591
Hi Nancy, my lab values have been pretty low this go around of chemo. Either myt ALT or AST went up just a little, not sure which one. But, with previous chemos, particularly when I was on Taxol and Carbo, my AST and ALT were elevated and that oncologist advised me that it was due to the chemo. Once I went off chemo, they did go down. But, I know people get concerned especially when it deals with the liver. I think I'm on the same chemo treatment as you, Avastin and Cytoxan. I always check my labs on line, sometimes I think that's not a good thing, because it does make a person worry. And, what was funny, last time my glucose level was very elevated. I had it taken a week before at my primary care physician and it was normal, so I don't understand it. And, when the nurse called me from MSK to let me know about my blood work, she said every thing was normal. Try and figure that out. I asked her about the glucose and explained to her that I did eat 2 meals prior to the blood draw and that it was normal the week before, but didn't really get any response, so I told my primary care physician about it when I went for my weekly checkup and he said that was a little high but would check it when I go the next time.

blood sugar
Did you eat 2hrs prior to the blood draw? I always try to have my blood draws fasting if they are scheduled in the AM. I think BS is important to monitor as well. My AST and ALT were both slightly elevated. I assume it is from the chemo. I just don't want it to interfere with further infusions.

antcat

nancy591 said:

blood sugar
Did you eat 2hrs prior to the blood draw? I always try to have my blood draws fasting if they are scheduled in the AM. I think BS is important to monitor as well. My AST and ALT were both slightly elevated. I assume it is from the chemo. I just don't want it to interfere with further infusions.

Hi Nancy, I did eat 2 hrs. before, both breakfast and lunch. I try to fast but sometimes it's hard because my appt at MSK isn't until 12:00 & 2:30 in the afternoon. It's very hard to get morning appts. I'm going to try and let the staff know, that it takes me 1 hour each way to go back and forth. I know it's easy to say not to worry about the AST and ALT, but I think it is from the chemo. It happened to me previously and I used to get very concerned, but my primary care physician, and the home health nurse of my insurance company said that it would return to normal after chemo. And, you know what, it did. I forgot to ask are you on Avastin and Oral Cytoxan? Have you experienced any side effects from the Avastin/Cytoxan? I'm also on a blood thinner because with my last surgery (jan. 2010, I developed a blood clot in my lung. I was told previously that I would only have to be on blood thinners for 3-6 months, but drs. today are afraid to take you off even though there is no blood clot. I'm going to speak with the dr. next month because I don't want to take this if it's not needed. Anyway, hope you're doing okay.