Elevated Liver Enzymes

Ironliftr3

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My liver enzymes have been elevated for as long as I’ve been getting regular physicals/bloodwork ( 15 plus years). I saw a specialist initially, and they found no inflammation or other reason. They did a ultrasound, but I drew the line at a liver biopsy. No other symptoms.
They have increased over the past year, and doctor is getting concerned.

ALT (Reference Range: 7 unit/L - 52 unit/L)
Sept 2019 = 76
Sept 2020 = 118

AST (Reference Range: 13 unit/L - 39 unit/L)
Sept 2019 = 69
Sept 2020 = 83

Off 6 weeks following 12 weeks on LGD and RAD when I had the bloodwork. I’ve taken Ostarine over the past year, but my enzymes were elevated years before any of these. I don’t drink.

I've read about strenuous exercise elevating liver enzymes in and of itself.

I've seen suggestions for both NAC and TUDCA on the boards. Would these be beneficial in this case? Do you take both simultenously?

I'm interested in any other experiences / observations / opinions.
 

Rebuild

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My liver enzymes have been elevated for as long as I’ve been getting regular physicals/bloodwork ( 15 plus years). I saw a specialist initially, and they found no inflammation or other reason. They did a ultrasound, but I drew the line at a liver biopsy. No other symptoms.
They have increased over the past year, and doctor is getting concerned.

ALT (Reference Range: 7 unit/L - 52 unit/L)
Sept 2019 = 76
Sept 2020 = 118

AST (Reference Range: 13 unit/L - 39 unit/L)
Sept 2019 = 69
Sept 2020 = 83

Off 6 weeks following 12 weeks on LGD and RAD when I had the bloodwork. I’ve taken Ostarine over the past year, but my enzymes were elevated years before any of these. I don’t drink.

I've read about strenuous exercise elevating liver enzymes in and of itself.

I've seen suggestions for both NAC and TUDCA on the boards. Would these be beneficial in this case? Do you take both simultenously?

I'm interested in any other experiences / observations / opinions.
Do you take any time off from the gym before your bloodwork? I would take atleast 3-5 days off beforehand to get an accurate AST and ALT reading.

Are GGT, CRP, or bilurubin elevated? These are much more important and would signify potential damage more that AST or ALT.

Check out this video from the anabolic doc, it is possible you have fatty liver and a course of high dose methionine, inositol, and choline would reverse it:

Alot of bodybuilders have had success with that combo. There is also injectable methionine, inositol, choline from AminoAsylum, which should be more effective, but I havent tried it, and wouldn't know how to dose it.

Hope some of this helps

Edit: I would also cut out the Sarms until you get your liver enzymes under control, there are several medically documented cases of LGD being highly liver toxic.
 
StarScream66

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NAC would be a must for you. They actually use it in an ER setting where patients have overdosed on Tylenol and their livers are failing, they give them an IV of NAC. I'd recommend 1200mg a day in divided doses. I don't know much about TUDCA I'm afraid.
 

Ironliftr3

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Do you take any time off from the gym before your bloodwork? I would take atleast 3-5 days off beforehand to get an accurate AST and ALT reading.

Are GGT, CRP, or bilurubin elevated? These are much more important and would signify potential damage more that AST or ALT.

Check out this video from the anabolic doc, it is possible you have fatty liver and a course of high dose methionine, inositol, and choline would reverse it:

Alot of bodybuilders have had success with that combo. There is also injectable methionine, inositol, choline from AminoAsylum, which should be more effective, but I havent tried it, and wouldn't know how to dose it.

Hope some of this helps

Edit: I would also cut out the Sarms until you get your liver enzymes under control, there are several medically documented cases of LGD being highly liver toxic.

I haven't taken any time off of the gym since lockdowns ended in late May. So, no, but I know that's something to consider. (I workout seven days a week. I follow an upper body/lower body/conditioning repeat program and Wendler's 5/3/1, so I'm consistent and push myself pretty hard.)

I checked that labs, and it doesn't appear that they tested for GGT, CRP, or bilurubin. Perhaps the liver specialist will.

I watched a handful of youtube videos while researching, and I will check that one out.

Although my enzymes were elevated years before I'd ever heard of SARMS (and probably before they were around), I concur. I'd really like to have a direction before I add anything back in.


Thanks for the input!
 
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Ironliftr3

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Whats the verdict on NAC & TUDCA vs methionine (1500mg)to taken along with Choline Inositol (3000mg)?
 
booneman77

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I actually have the same issue you described OP (chronically higher than norm ALT/AST for years) and was also tested multiple times, ultrasound, and MRI and was told zero issues outside of the fact that my liver in general is slightly larger than average (yay me?). My doc also keeps an eye on it but told me that barring a large spike (which yours looks to have taken a significant jump this year) no concern... your SARM cycle could ceratinly be the culprit here as well as were you on any serms or anyhting for PCT during those 6 weeks?

I also want to take some time off the gym before my next bloods to get a better idea as I know that likely has an impact for me as well.

As a precautionary measure I do take SNS Liver Assist XT and/or CEL Cycle assist (1/2 dose) year round as a protective measure
 

Ironliftr3

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I actually have the same issue you described OP (chronically higher than norm ALT/AST for years) and was also tested multiple times, ultrasound, and MRI and was told zero issues outside of the fact that my liver in general is slightly larger than average (yay me?). My doc also keeps an eye on it but told me that barring a large spike (which yours looks to have taken a significant jump this year) no concern... your SARM cycle could ceratinly be the culprit here as well as were you on any serms or anyhting for PCT during those 6 weeks?

I also want to take some time off the gym before my next bloods to get a better idea as I know that likely has an impact for me as well.

As a precautionary measure I do take SNS Liver Assist XT and/or CEL Cycle assist (1/2 dose) year round as a protective measure
Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like we are experiencing very similar things. No Serms or PCT for my six weeks off, so everything has been clean.

I ordered some NAC & TUDCA, and should be able to start these in a few days. I haven't made an appointment with a specialist yet, but I know my Primary Care Doctor is going to recommend it. She did last year, and I blew it off, as I have for the past ten plus years or so.

Now I wish I had bloodwork done during the March - May gym lockdown, when I was training less intensely (home workouts and running). I don't typically (never) take time off. How long do you think it would take to see a reduction in enzyme levels?
 
booneman77

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Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like we are experiencing very similar things. No Serms or PCT for my six weeks off, so everything has been clean.

I ordered some NAC & TUDCA, and should be able to start these in a few days. I haven't made an appointment with a specialist yet, but I know my Primary Care Doctor is going to recommend it. She did last year, and I blew it off, as I have for the past ten plus years or so.

Now I wish I had bloodwork done during the March - May gym lockdown, when I was training less intensely (home workouts and running). I don't typically (never) take time off. How long do you think it would take to see a reduction in enzyme levels?
For just workout induced effects, 2 days prior would be ok I believe but 3 would be best if you can stomach it ha. I will probably do a moring workout on say monday, tues/weds completely off and then test thurs morning for example (and can workout later that day so really only 2 days off but getting the benefit of the afternoon/evening of that first workout day "off")
 

Ironliftr3

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For just workout induced effects, 2 days prior would be ok I believe but 3 would be best if you can stomach it ha. I will probably do a moring workout on say monday, tues/weds completely off and then test thurs morning for example (and can workout later that day so really only 2 days off but getting the benefit of the afternoon/evening of that first workout day "off")

Thanks! I was worried we were talking about a couple weeks off for 'total muscle recovery'. I'm a bit OCD about being 7 days a week.
 
booneman77

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Thanks! I was worried we were talking about a couple weeks off for 'total muscle recovery'. I'm a bit OCD about being 7 days a week.
no, you only need a few days for the "leveling out" to occur.
 
StarScream66

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Whats the verdict on NAC & TUDCA vs methionine (1500mg)to taken along with Choline Inositol (3000mg)?
I've never heard of taking methionine and choline/insoitol for liver issues. If you bought NOW's NAC it comes with some methionine in it plus selenium.

Keep us posted with how it goes for you though. Hopefully that NAC and TUDCA will do the trick. I recommend looking up supplement reviews on examine.com. They have all the studies broken down and explained in layman's terms in little blue boxes to summarize the studies.
 
Rocket3015

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I have the same problem ??
 

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So, I took NAC an TUDCA at double doses for a week, then five days with no supplements and no lifting (just light cardio). No activity the day of blood draw, which I had done this morning. I'll keep you updated.
 

Ironliftr3

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So, I took NAC an TUDCA at double doses for a week, then five days with no supplements and no lifting (just light cardio). No activity the day of blood draw, which I had done this morning. I'll keep you updated.
So my bloodwork returned today.

ALT
Reference Range: 7 unit/L - 52 unit/L
Sept 21 = 118 u/L
Oct 16 = 35 u/L

AST
Reference Range: 13 unit/L - 39 unit/L
Sept 21 = 83 u/L
Oct 16 = 33 u/L

I'd still like to know if it was the NAC, taking a week off supplements, or refraining from heavy lifting that caused the drop to normal levels. I tend to think it was the lifting. Unfortunately the doctor wasn't keen on me eliminating one thing at a time (like anyone with good troubleshooting skills would do).

None the less, in less than three weeks I was able to bring my liver enzymes within range, and lower than they have ever been measured (they have been out of range for over ten years).

I will continue to take the NAC as a daily supplement, I've also read about a host of other benefits this may have.

Thanks to everyone who replied!
 
booneman77

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So my bloodwork returned today.

ALT
Reference Range: 7 unit/L - 52 unit/L
Sept 21 = 118 u/L
Oct 16 = 35 u/L

AST
Reference Range: 13 unit/L - 39 unit/L
Sept 21 = 83 u/L
Oct 16 = 33 u/L

I'd still like to know if it was the NAC, taking a week off supplements, or refraining from heavy lifting that caused the drop to normal levels. I tend to think it was the lifting. Unfortunately the doctor wasn't keen on me eliminating one thing at a time (like anyone with good troubleshooting skills would do).

None the less, in less than three weeks I was able to bring my liver enzymes within range, and lower than they have ever been measured (they have been out of range for over ten years).

I will continue to take the NAC as a daily supplement, I've also read about a host of other benefits this may have.

Thanks to everyone who replied!
Really cool to see in practice! i would love to see if they return to high in a few weeks or even just with a few lifts in there. Will be trying this out myself in a couple weeks to see
 
Rocket3015

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I have been having trouble with high numbers NAC and TUDCA have been bringing them down !!
 

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My liver enzymes have been elevated for literally EVERY yearly blood lab for the past 15 years. This is the first they have ever been in range.

I'm still amazed of the change in such a short period, under three weeks.
 
Rocket3015

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That is pretty amazing !
 
booneman77

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@Ironliftr3 what were the doses of each you ended up taking? I assume all at once daily?
 

Ironliftr3

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@Ironliftr3 what were the doses of each you ended up taking? I assume all at once daily?

I took 1200 mg of NAC, and 1000 mg of Tudca, once in the morning, and once late afternoon. Both on an empty stomach.

I used Nutricost brand from Amazon. Both were super cheap.
 
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booneman77

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I took 1200 mg of NAC, and 1000 mg of Tudca, once in the morning, and once late afternoon. Both on an empty stomach.

I used Nutricost brand from Amazon. Both were super cheap.
2000mg of tudca daily?! thats a MASSIVE dose haha
 
Rocket3015

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It worked !
 

larryfulk

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I had the same problem once. I read that strenuous exercise could cause the problem, so I took a week off lifting and it came back fine.
 

Ironliftr3

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I had the same problem once. I read that strenuous exercise could cause the problem, so I took a week off lifting and it came back fine.
That is my intent for the next time I have bloodwork done, although I will continue to take NAC and TUDCA at lower doses.
 

Uncle_E

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I had the same problem once. I read that strenuous exercise could cause the problem, so I took a week off lifting and it came back fine.
My AST/Alt were each a point out of range on my last blood draw, however everything else lover related was fine. About 18 hours before the test, I had a huge volume squat session where I hit a PR. 🤷‍♂️
 

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