[enough3]

#1072172

Last year after my thyroid storm, I was on a very high dose of PTU 450mg, then tapered down over the following months. My liver labs were "out the roof" and my Endo was very concerned about. He told me not to drink any alcohol or take any tylenol…or anything ending in "ol"…..

Once my dose got to 100mg of PTU for a couple months..it started to get lower:)

As long as your getting regular labs, you should be fine:)

[grasshopper]

#1019516

Today’s morning news had a warning for children taking PTU..It said there are about 10 deaths per year due to liver damage kids get if they are
taking PTU. I hope anyone with a child taking PTU will heed the warning and go to their doctors with any concerns, etc.
My question is: I was never told PTU could cause liver damage and I’d like to know if adults are in danger also. I take two 50mg tablets per day at this time. My thyroid is under control according to my most recent bloodwork. My liver is "ok" but the Alkaline phosphatase reading is high at 182UL
( normal is 33-130UL)

Alkaline phosphatase definition: An enzyme made in the liver, bone, and the placenta and normally present in high concentrations in growing bone and in bile. Alkaline phosphatase is released into the blood during injury and during such normal activities as bone growth and pregnancy. It is measured in a routine blood test.

MedicineNet.com says "Abnormally high blood levels of alkaline phosphatase may indicate disease in bone or liver, bile duct obstruction, or certain malignancies."
Should I be concerned since my doctor never expressed any concerns about my Alkaline phosphatase reading?

Thank you!

[Ski]

#1072173

It’s true that PTU (or methimazole) is capable of causing liver damage in anyone who takes it, so it’s a good thing your doctor is having labs done. Since the value seems out of range, I would have a discussion with the doctor about it. I’m not sure if "slightly" out of range is okay, but wildly out of range is not. That’s something for the doctor to evaluate. Presumably, the doctor HAS looked at those test results. From what I understand, if the levels remain elevated, you need to at least consider that, and maybe pursue another option. Still, there is a chance the levels will come down as your dose comes down. If you are unable to lower your dose without having your thyroid hormone levels spike again, you should definitely discuss that with the doctor soon.

It isn’t guaranteed to cause liver damage, by the way. It’s a possibility. I’m not sure anyone knows why one person would be more likely than another to have it happen. The liver does build up "junk" over time, so older people may have a slightly higher possibility of having difficulties, since they’re more likely to have built up more "junk."

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