7 replies to this topic

[Debby]

My LDH level was 410 this month.  Sent for an ultrasound which showed fatty liver infiltration.  Doctor said she didn't know if there was a relationship between the two.  Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject?

[pammartin]

I have had fatty liver for years.  I would have to really think but at least 10.  I have had CML for 3+.  Most times it is diet and weight.  I told the doctor is was because I had a fat ass.  He did not disagree. 

 

I do not know if there is a correlation, but for me it was there long before the CML.

[mlk210]

I had one before CML too, about 10 years ago. My numbers were border line high when I first got diagnosed. I stopped eating red meat and starting exercising more. 3 months on Sprycel and my levels dropped. Then I started slacking so I'm afraid they've climbed again. I'll find out in a couple weeks.

[Debby]

mlk210 - Please post what the doctor says about this when you meet with him/her - if you don't mind.

[Trey]

Debby,

Do you have CML, and what drug(s) do you take?

 

What do your other liver function tests show?

http://metabolicheal...liver-function/

[Debby]

Trey,

I have CML and take Gleevec.  Diagnosed 5 years ago and BCR ABL outcomes are excellent.  Other liver function tests are all within normal range.  Thanks for any information you can share.

Debby

[Trey]

LDH is not specific to the liver.  It is a general tissue "injury indicator" which could be anything from a muscle pull to anemia or heart issues.  Since your other liver function tests seem to be fine, I would not automatically assume the LDH is related to the liver.  Your LDH is not quite double normal, which is not overly concerning but does require monitoring.

 

The ultrasound shows that the liver is more dense, but cannot see if it is related to fat build-up.  The assumption would usually be that it is fat build-up, but it can also be from the TKI drug in some instances, or other issues such as infection. 

http://www.everettcl...ter/fatty-liver

 

Overall it just seems the tests are inconclusive, and if it is related to the TKI drug it is usually reversible.  A drug break for a couple weeks might be an option, but it would not seem necessary at this point.  Also, do not ignore the other possibilities which include some types of infection which could be ongoing. 

[snowbear]

I had high (and climbing) LDH levels before diagnosis.  It got over 800 between the time of my initial Hema/Onc consult and BMB so doc ordered a fragmented LDH to help determine which tissue it was coming from.   Those results indicated lungs and liver.  My Hema/Onc insists that my leg pain and shortness of breath were not from CML because my initial PCR was only 22.5% , but those symptoms have all improved since starting Gleevec and my LDH has come down to just over 200.