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Taking Steroids And Mercaptopurine For AIH. Elevated ALT Levels. What Are The Side Effects? Have Diabetes
We have a huge concern. My mum was diagnosed with AIH about 3 months ago - mum is taking steroids gradually reduced to 10MG per day, today at the Liver clinic we were told her ALT elevated from 57 to 157 and she is now to take 20MG steroids plus 50MG per day mercaptopurine in order to stabilise the liver and reduce the steroids, but our worry is mercaptopure Puri-nethol tablets bring on severe side effects as this drug is used for treating cancer - from one hand the steroids are just as bad and yet the mercaptopurine tablets are also bad! my mum is 80 years of age, is diabetic insulin dependent, and what do we do! we dont have a choice do we!
Fri, 23 Nov 2012
Mercaptopurine itself can cause liver enzyme elevation and diabetes to add on. If mercaptopurine is working for AIHA, just monitor the liver enzymes. I assume you have ruled out viral hepatitis post blood transfusion. As in case of ALL , we allow mercaptopurine even with slight but stable elevation of liver enzymes, you can continue it. Or else meet me at my clinic.
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