High ALT liver readings

Hi Artisan, i am 4yrs in and on Anastrazole. In Jan my bloods showed raised ALT levels, cholesterol and pre diabetes. Anastrazole can caused all above and i’ve familial history of diabetes. Also told that many my age (over 50) have fatty liver. Determined to help situation I went on low sugar, low saturated fat diet. Have Benecol and the cholesterol lowering drinks too. Upped my walking as much as fatigue etc would allow and have lost just over 2 stone. It was weight I had put on since chemo, but never lost. All my bloods are back to normal now. Also off the blood pressure meds I was put in after chemo. Tamoxifen also has effects on liver as a potential side effect. It has taken me 7mths, but I have reversed many side effects of the Anastrazole. 

Hi Artisan, thanks for starting this thread as I’m on Anastrozole and recently asked for a medication review as I’ve not had one since starting it nearly 4 years ago. I asked for blood tests, including liver and cholesterol, so the practice pharmacist, who did the review, has ordered full round of blood tests including diabetes. Like  has said, all these things can be caused by Anastrozole so it’s probably similar with your tamoxifen. On one drug website I looked at ages ago it stated that you’d have regular blood tests while on Anastrozole to monitor things like liver function and cholesterol but it seems like there’s no monitoring at all unless you ask for it. I haven’t had the tests yet as I had the review just before going on holiday (had to wait 4 weeks after requesting it!) but will go next week and will let you know my results. 
I remember you from the start of our cancer experiences (mine started in September 2018), hope you’re doing well now apart from the Anastrozole side effects. And your reversal of the blood results is amazing, thanks for sharing. 
Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi pmess

Thanks for your reply. The GP is reducing my sertraline (which I've always been fine on) and when I'm off them in a week or so will have another blood test. I am trying hard to up my exercise and look at my diet and will see if that helps like it has with you.

My GP has written to the Oncologist about the liver results so once I hear anything I will share what she says.

Well done by the way for your fab results x

Hi HappyFeet1 - thank you for replying. It does seem to be a problem with these tablets and hopefully the Oncologist will shed a bit more light on it. I know the liver can repair itself but we need to know how high the ALT can go before it causes big problems of another kind.

I will report back once I hear anything.

Hope you have a good holiday x

Hi HappyFeet, i do remember you too. I get my bloods checked every 6mths after being on the Abemaciclib trial and i’m shocked that others do not have regular bloods to check for effects of drugs. I hope you’re as good as can be on the dreaded AI drugs. Xxx

Hello, I can add a little, I am on letrozole.  When all this started for me I didn't really take care of myself (going thought this again at moment).  During this time I was not doing any exercise, put on weight and blood sugars where high (they are again).  

I had blood test carried out, there was a lot of results that were out of range.... and then had them taken again 6 months later....
these are a couple that might help you:-

On paper it looks like I was an alcoholic - I don't drink very often, you could say never, but, I do from time to time.

The different labs have different range scales, however, if you look at my readings in relation to the ranges they drastically changed when I started walking, cutting down on crisps and loosing the weight.

After this I started daily 'walking' and tried to alter my eating, during this time I lost just under 2 stone.  
I believe it was this combination that brought my levels down - I don't think it was related to the letrozole.

Trouble is I feel I am back there again.... the pandemic came, walking stopped and the weight went on.  

I hope this helps to give you more options to consider.

(Plus I hope this post makes sense as I seem to be having bad brain fog at the moment)