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TFR continues but liver function test abnormal

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Hi everyone

I'm thrilled to report that after 3 years of my involuntary TFR attempt, I am still doing well with my latest PCR test showing BCR-Abl of less than 0.003%. However, my doctor is concerned that my liver function tests were abnormal for the first time - GGR was 76, AST was 54 and ALT was 56 (all are supposed to be lower than 50). Unfortunately my doctor closed her practice and retired on 31 July so I was only able to have a telephonic conversation with her, but she thinks it's only an infection and we will repeat the tests with my new doctor in two weeks. There was also a big family wedding the weekend before the test and I admittedly drank much more than I usually do, so I am hoping it was because of that!

Apart from that everything is looking good and I'm so grateful that I'm still able to be in this situation.

Best wishes to all for further movements onwards and downwards!

Martin

Martin,

I can’t remember the last time my numbers were all in line within spec. My bilirubin was high in my last test. It bummed me out, it still does. I have a tendency to rain on my own parade. It’s not the first time….. Point is I think it is easy to be over sensitive sometimes especially with our condition. Just remember you’re in good shape and in TFR, that’s huge.. Use it as an excuse to stop drinking….

Joe.

Hi. Martin. A very interesting thread. I was getting some very high liver function readings- I am still on imatinib.
In the end I had to pack in the drinking altogether. After 3 months everything was back to normal. I was told by a doctor thst
Ethenol - alcohol is a poison to our bodies. The body - liver treats alcohol has a poison. Your body is on full alert dealing with
The CML - so perhaps too much drink may be implicated. Worth having 3 months off alcohol then get all the tests done again. All
The best.

Hi Joe

Thank you for the reply, and I think what you said is spot on - I am grateful to be in good shape and you're so right that we can be oversensitive. Much of the CML battle is fought in the mind!

I have decided to stop drinking completely - fortunately that is very easy for me, and I'll see what the next test says.

Hopefully the bilirubin drops again in the next test for you.

Best wishes

Martin

Hi PhilipDavid

Thank you - I have also heard that imatinib can be hard on the liver, but it didn't ever affect mine. Nevertheless, I agree with everything you've said and have completely stopped with the alcohol. When diagnosed I stopped drinking altogether for 5 years and then gradually started again when my numbers got better, but I think it's not worth it to give my body another unnecessary challenge to deal with!

Best wishes to you for your recovery, and thanks for sharing your experience! It helps to know that you were able to reverse the high liver readings.

Martin

I think it was the wedding! Glad to hear of your continuing TFR.

I think it was the wedding! Glad to hear of your continuing TFR.