HomeAnswersNeurologyliver testsMy liver enzymes have raised over the last year. Is it due to Fingolimod that I take for multiple sclerosis?

What causes a rise in liver enzymes?

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Published At October 22, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 22, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have MS and take Gilenya (Fingolimod) to treat it for 5 years now. My liver enzymes have raised over the last year and are currently GGT: 101.98, AST: 48.8, ALT: 74.1, and ALP: 99. I live in a country where doctors do not take my concerns seriously, including neurologists. My neurologist wants me to continue taking the Gilenya, prescribed me a plant supplement (milk thistle) to take in the meantime, and said we would get internal tests and another ultrasound on my liver to see if the cause is the Gilenya. I have actually been taking milk thistle supplements for the last six months. I am concerned to continue taking Gilenya. How fast can these enzymes cause damage to my liver? I have had two liver ultrasounds in the last year that detected a little bit of fat but it was healthy otherwise. Meanwhile, my enzyme levels have been rising for more than a year now. My concern is even if they somehow deduce that Gilenya is not the problem, how dangerous is it to continue taking Gilenya with these high enzyme levels? I am stressing out. Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Fingolimod may be responsible for the elevation of liver enzymes. I would like to know the previous LFT (liver function test) report as well. I hope you do not take alcohol. Mild elevation in the liver enzymes may be due to fatty liver as well. Please repeat the LFT after two weeks to look for any worsening. Fingolimod may be continued till then. Please avoid fatty or oily food. Please do a morning walk daily for 30 minutes.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Last year my liver enzyme levels were AST: 28.92, ALT: 40.36, GGT: 34.19, and ALP: 112.2. At The start of this year my liver enzymes were AST: 36.14, ALT: 48.19, GGT: 37.79, ALP: ?. This year a month ago my liver enzymes were AST: 48.8, ALT: 74.1, GGT: 101.98, and ALP: 99. I do not drink alcohol. I already walk daily. I also stay under 1600 calories daily (around 2200 to 2300 total calorie burned per day). I have lost 40 pounds in the last year. But I only started avoiding fatty, oily foods in the last month. How bad are my current levels?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The levels have been serially rising. The current levels are not very high, but certainly can not be ignored. Please repeat the level after two weeks. Alternate MS (multiple sclerosis) therapy needs to be explored.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Abhishek Juneja
Dr. Abhishek Juneja

Neurology

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