Elevated liver enzymes following radiation

I had elevated bilirubin, AST and ALT not caused by radiation, it was a result of the Zytiga I was on. They pulled it and a week latter I started a lower dose. Since then things have stabilized. All the best to you on your journey…

I don't know about a causal link between radiation treatment and elevated liver enzymes. I do know last year my wife's liver enzymes hit almost 1000 for no reason.

Blood tests, lever cancer screens, and a liver biopsy showed nothing. Her levels returned to normal and liver MD said "sometimes the enzymes just go up...and we never know why". My wife's liver enzymes have been normal ever since - thank God.

Best MD could guess was something she ate or came in contact with drove her enzymes through the roof for a short period of time. I think MDs call these "idiopathic" conditions with no known cause

This true story might be reassuring to you...might not?

Good luck

Thank you -- good advice to follow. I purchased a TUDCA supplement today which I believe should offer some liver support.

Yes, I'm a reluctant member of the ADT fraternity club. There are so many unpleasant ADT side effects, but I hadn't previously heard about liver enzymes becoming compromised. Just when a person thinks they have read all there is on ADT difficulties I'm humbled to learn of another side effect.

Now that you mention that and have obviously experienced the climb in your own ALT levels, I suspect ADT is likely the culprit for me. I also received a response from my radiation oncologist this morning asserting SBRT prostate radiation should not impact liver enzymes. I see this is consistent with your experience too.

Thank you. I appreciate your follow-up and details.

Thank you for your feedback. Judging from the responses in these posts it seems ADT is the likely cause of my liver enzymes elevation.

Good to hear your levels stabilized after modifying your Zytiga dose. Just curious -- was your revised lower dose able to keep your testosterone at an appropriate low level or was it more of a compromise to balance the need for you to maintain a healthier liver?

When my liver enzymes climbed during ADT, I bought Milk Thistle since it is great for liver support.
However, I decided not to use it since the rise was totally related to ADT and not from hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Milk Thistle is a liver tonic so it helps with detox and regeneration no matter what is causing liver to be upset.

I do not have ANY liver disease but I use it as a "tonic"- it helps liver work better, has antioxidant effects, helps with de-tox and it also helps with cholesterol and glucose levels regulation.

@surftohealth88 I know, but I didn’t want to take anything at all that might have an antioxidant effect.
The whole purpose of radiation is to induce oxidation in PCa cells and hasten their demise.
I had read this before my treatment but I asked my RO anyway.
He said “Don’t take anything - we’re trying to KILL this!”
Phil

@heavyphil

LOL , I guess you did not have your morning coffee yet ; ) .
This is one year old thread and original poster FINISHED his RT ; ) lol.
Now - time to make that very dark roast brew ; )))))