Hi everyone,

I just got my blood test result back.
My enzyme level is 108 U/L, when the normal range is from 5-40 U/L.
This means there's something wrong going on with my liver.

Last summer, I had the same problem, so the doctor made me take hepatitis test. They all came back negative.
He never made me take Thryoid test.

Is elevated enzyme related to hyperthyroid/ Graves disease?

I was at the hospital today, to swallow an iodine pill.
Tomorrow, I go back to the hospital, so that they can scan my thryoid.

This whole thing frightens me.

Hello - Elevated liver enzymes can be associated with hyperthyroidism – which is why doctors generally run a baseline test prior to prescribing Anti-Thyroid Drugs.

Liver issues are a rare, but potentially serious side effect of anti-thyroid drugs, so if baseline tests are too far off kilter, doctors might rule out anti-thyroid drugs as a treatment option.

The good news is that restoring thyroid hormone levels (or stopping the meds if that's what is causing the issue) usually takes care of the problem.

You can read more by accessing the ATA/AACE guidance document in the “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of this forum. Pull up the PDF document and do a search for “liver”, and that should take you to the right spot.

Take care!

Thank you, Kimberly, for such a quick reply.
If my liver issue is linked to hyperthyroid, then at least I know that this is not another chapter of a new problem.

I'm almost resentful to my previous family doctor, who didn't suggest a thryoid test last summer. Had I found out of this problem last year, I could have started the treatment right away.

So I guess that leaves me with RAI and surgery.

Yes, my enzyme level is almost 3 times higher than the normal range.

Hello Shakira7,

You are not alone, I too had elevated liver enzymes. Here is a link to my labs …
http://www.gdatf.org/forum/topic/42893/ [gdatf.org]

I have felt very frustrated myself regarding the liver enzyme #s. I have done some research and the liver enzymes can be elevated for several reasons. (1) hyperthyroidism (2) autoimmune hepatitis, which sometimes can happen with other immune related diseases such as Graves' (ANA, SMA tests are used to try confirming this) (3) Methimazole. Also, (4) viral hepatitis.

I'm very happy that my liver enzymes have finally decreased, even though I'm on Methimazole. My General Dr. is pretty sure that they were elevated due to the hyperthyroidism b/c all other tests came back negative. She is confident that once euthyroid for a while that all #s should get better/normal (my glucose and cholesterol were also elevated for the first time in my life).

I too had elevated liver enzymes in the past years ago but the Dr only ordered an ultrasound. Looking back at my TSH, the #s were always within the normal range but on the low side of normal and fT4 and fT3 was never done. I too wish these other tests would have been done and I could have been started on the Rx earlier. The truth is though that my Rep Endo ran a TPOab test last year which came back positive and nothing was done about it because I didn't have any symptoms (or so we thought) and my TSH was within normal (though it was low). Little did I know. The good thing is that we are getting the treatment now and that we are getting closer to being healthier, right?

You stated that you are left with RAI and surgery but Methimazole might still be an option, like it was and is for me. At one point my Dr started to get worried but now the labs are normal. He even said “you can live without a thyroid (with Rx) but can't live without a liver”. Hopefully I continue to have the Methimazole option for I would like to achieve remission without having to have RAI or surgery. Have you started Methimazole yet? My liver enzymes started to drop as soon as I started treatment. They dropped slowly but they dropped. Talk to your Dr. and go over all of your options thoroughly. Once again, check out my labs to see the history.

I wish you all the best.

Caro

@Shakira7 - The point at which the medical guidance says *not* to start ATDs is if liver transaminase enzyme levels are more than 5x the upper limit of normal – so you will want to discuss with your doctor whether ATDs would be an option for you.

Thank you, Kimberly, for the info. If 5x the normal is the limit zone, then I think my ALT is still acceptable. 108 and the max is 40.

Hello Carito71,

Nice to virtually meet you.
Thank you for taking the time in responding to all of my posts;
it really made me feel better to see that I am not the only one with Graves disease.
I think my ALT (108) is high as yours, so in that case, I'll talk to my endo about the possibility of taking medications instead of going RAI.
I'm so glad I found this site where we can exchange infos and provide support to each other.

Today, I went back to the hospital to have my thryoid scanned; yes, I saw the imaging and I have Graves disease.
Deep inside, I was crying, as I've always been a healthy girl all my life.
I work out, don't smoke / don't drink, exercise, yoga, eat healthy, junk food-free…etc.

The good news is that, I am starting a new job in 3 weeks; I'm actually going back to my previous employer where I was a temp staff. Very nice people to work with.

I'm meeting my endo on Thursday this week.

I'll keep you posted.

Take care,

OMG, I think my computer went a little crazy , when I hit the button “Submit”. Sorry for the repeated same msgs.

No worries - I just deleted the extra ones.

Hello Shakira7,

No problem

Hope your meeting with your Endo was a success. I'm sorry to hear that your scan definitely shows GD. I felt very sad myself when I was told I had hyperthyroidism but I felt so sick at the time that I was also happy that there was a reason for my symptoms. And … most importantly, that there were treatments for it … not just one but 3 different options.

Wish you the best with the treatment you and your Dr. decide upon. Keep us posted.

Caro