Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Getting Cramps In Legs, Arms And Hands. Taking Medicine For BP And Cholesterol. Concerned For ALT Level
Question: Hi, My I am a 63 year old male my ALT is 45 and GGT is 95. I have been getting cramps in my legs, arms, hands ext. I take 20mg of Lisinopril for blood pressure and 10mg of Atorvastatin for cholesterol a day. I stop taking the Atorvastatin for about 2 weeks and cramping has stop. I do drink maybe as much as a case of beer a week. Concerned about the the ALT no. and how bad is GGT at 95?
Hello, XXXXXXX,
Your situation seems to be somewhat clear. Muscle aches
and pains, cramps are known side effects of statin family
of drugs. Eventhough, this is not seen in everyone who
takes the drug, it is the most common side effect along with
elevated liver enzymes and sometimes severe liver damage.
In your case, alcohol has added effect to cause liver problems.
A case of beer a week can certainly cause lasting liver damage
especially if you have doing this for a number of years.
The older a person is, the damage could be severe.
The GGT level of 95 units is sufficient to be a caution for you
to quit drinking and avoid further damage.
I also suggest that you get a sonogram of the liver and gallbladder
to rule out fatty liver or cirrhosis changes and also gallstones.
Start taking a good Super B-Complex vitamin a day along with
Vit-E 800 i.u. daily and 1000 mg. of Vit-C daily with a good high
protein diet.
I wish you well.
Your situation seems to be somewhat clear. Muscle aches
and pains, cramps are known side effects of statin family
of drugs. Eventhough, this is not seen in everyone who
takes the drug, it is the most common side effect along with
elevated liver enzymes and sometimes severe liver damage.
In your case, alcohol has added effect to cause liver problems.
A case of beer a week can certainly cause lasting liver damage
especially if you have doing this for a number of years.
The older a person is, the damage could be severe.
The GGT level of 95 units is sufficient to be a caution for you
to quit drinking and avoid further damage.
I also suggest that you get a sonogram of the liver and gallbladder
to rule out fatty liver or cirrhosis changes and also gallstones.
Start taking a good Super B-Complex vitamin a day along with
Vit-E 800 i.u. daily and 1000 mg. of Vit-C daily with a good high
protein diet.
I wish you well.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
