Liver Functions after Whipple

I had my whipple in January 2023 and Yes my liver function enzymes have been elevated ever since. They started to go down but still above normal and then last time they were up again. Doctors do not seem concerned. They did ultrasound to check for “ fatty liver” but not that. I quit my statins and that helped but now we will check what happens to cholesterol! Good luck.

Yes. When I asked my oncologist about that, she replied that they noticed that was common with Whipple patients and they don't know why. It's been nearly 5 years for me and the one thing I DID do upon discovering my pancreatic tumor was to quit drinking any alcohol. I feel good and save lots of money! 😁

Hello, my husband had the whipple surgery done May 1 this year …. They dissected a good portion of his pancreas but left part of the tail so he would not have to go into full insulin dependency … they did find cancer cells in the tissue surrounding the pancreas, he now has to finish 4 of his 12 chemos but his ALT levels keep going up and the last one was 329 so they have put off doing his chemo, he did do one go but they reduced the “cocktail” by 25% for which at that time his ALT was 142 and 232 …. Keeps going up ! He is experiencing stomach pain which helps with hydromorphone 2 mg … has anyone had these issues after whipple ? I have requested a scan be done to check his liver … waiting to hear back … VERY concerned 😢

My ALT is 333. ALP is 224. I have my blood drawn every three months. The last blood draw in May, ALT was 74 and ALP was 121. I have a video meeting with my oncologist tomorrow. She will probably order an MRI. I am very nervous.

Thank you for your well wishes.

Good advice. Thank you.

I’m with you… I quit drinking alcohol after my Whipple surgery just in case the cancer returns in the Liver. I want my liver to be as strong as possible for anything to come.

Hello all. I met with my oncologist this week to discuss elevated liver function labs. She thinks the elevations are due to scar tissue causing a stricture and blocking the bile ducts. She feels this is a result of the whipple surgery. She sees nothing to be concerned about with the liver because my RBC, electrolytes and bilirubin labs are all normal. I’ve scheduled an MRI for next month because that is the best scan to evaluate for strictures. My surgeon wants me to start taking the bile thinner Ursodiol prior to the MRI. Has anyone had any experience with Ursodiol? If so, did you experience any side effects from this drug? Thank you for listening.

I had the whipple surgery 9/23. In February 24 I had repeat scan and discovered 2 spots on my liver. They started chemo combo of gemcitabine and abraxane. I immediately began retaining fluid. First in my eyelids, then my face. Before I knew it, I was in the hospital with acute kidney failure. My breathing was so bad that I ended up in icu on a bi-pap. I ended up on dialysis. The only options that my oncologist has given me is to give me the abraxane at a lower dose. I'm currently looking for a hospital in Chicago that can give me an alternative treatment plan.

If it were me I would stop all Chemo, Chemo combos. What else could have caused quick kidney failure. Stay clear of treatments.