Q: I’m a 72-year-old female. My lab report reads “enzymes are high, caused by cholesterol medication. She is to take fish oil capsules only, 1000 mg BID and discontinue the Lopid.
Now my legs hurt so bad I have muscle cramps and can hardly walk. Is there anything else I can do or take to help my legs?
A: When laboratory testing reveals elevated liver enzymes, a physician is alerted to the potential for inflammation or cell damage damage to the liver. The liver is the largest gland in the body and one of the most complex organs. It is situated in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity. And divided into four lobes, with the right lobe being substantially larger than the others. The liver holds about 16 ounces at any time and weighs about 2.8 pounds in women and 4.9 pounds in men. While it is responsible for more than 500 functions, it processes glucose, vitamins, fats, proteins and countless other compounds the body requires for use. Most cholesterol is made in the liver which can produce as much as two grams each day. This is in addition to the food items we consume that may be exceedingly high in terms of the recommended daily allowance reported. When inflamed, liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of specific chemicals into the bloodstream. In the case of liver inflammation due to some cholesterol lowering drugs, the levels are only temporarily high and will return to within normal range when the offending substance (in your case the Lopid) are discontinued.
Excessive amounts of cholesterol are linked with deposits that develop in blood vessels. With time, plaque build-up develops in blood vessels, making it more difficult for an adequate flow of blood to travel through the arteries. When the heart is ultimately deprived of sufficient oxygen-rich blood, a person may develop an increased risk for stroke and the development of cardiac issues.
Common causes for elevated readings can include excess alcohol consumption, obesity, fatty liver disease unrelated to alcohol consumption, hepatitis A/B/C, and the use of specific pain medications including over-the-counter acetaminophen. Less common causes include having celiac disease, having had a recent heart attack, pancreatitis, Wilson’s disease (too much copper in the body), muscular dystrophy, hypothyroidism and countless other possibilities.
The Lopid you are on was prescribed to lower your triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (referred to as bad cholesterol) while increasing levels of your high-density lipoproteins (referred to as your good cholesterol. Possible side effects of the drug may include blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, an irregular heart beat, muscle and joint pain, headache, and unusual bleeding. As I have indicated on countless occasions, some people can take some medications for extended periods of time without any adverse side effects, while others may experience severe reactions that must be addressed. Your physician was correct in checking your cholesterol levels since the medication can affect the liver. This does not imply that permanent damage has occurred. Rather, it acts as a warning that the medication should be discontinued – at least temporarily.
The fish oil capsules recommended may reduce your high triglyceride levels by up to 50%. The recommended dosing is up to 4 grams of combined EPA and DHA daily, under a physician’s supervision. Individuals with a history of heart disease should consume one gram of both EPA and DHA day, either in supplement form of by modifying the diet to include 3 l/2 ounces of salmon, lake trout or sardines – again under a doctor’s guidance. If your doctor didn’t tell you, you might be able to avoid the fish oil taste following ingesting of the supplement by either freezing the capsules prior to taking them or including them during a meal. Other options might include taking a potassium supplement with water daily, drinking pickle juice, blending marjoram oil with a carrier oil such as castor oil. Whatever you choose, I believe your leg cramps should subside once you discontinue the Lopid. And, with careful meal planning, you might be able to lower your cholesterol levels naturally without the use of prescription drugs or OTC supplements.
Readers who would like related information can order Dr. Gott’s Health Reports “Compelling Home Remedies” and “Cholesterol” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order (for each report) to Peter H. Gott, MD Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
