Strange blood results???????

[brock7717]

Would somebody please help me, I am so ready to stop taking phen. I was on the net for four hours last night trying to find info, but really found no answers. I got my lab back yesterday, and my uric acid, creaton, ALT, hemoglobin, and protein were all high. The doctors suggestion was to follow a low protein diet. The thing is I already do. The only thing I really eat with protein in it is chicken or turkey. I have not had any red meats, cheese, eggs, etc. I am really worried about this and need to know if anybody has had any of the following. Please help, I do not want to stop taking phen.

[lizard]

Have you asked your doctor about the blood work?? Did you tell him you already followed a low-protein diet? I don't think the phen would have anything to do with that, but I would ask your doctor about it just to be on the safe side. Good Luck!

[KimberlyinKS]

I would suggest talking to your doctor again. Does he know you are taking phentermine? Did you tell him that you don't eat a lot of protein?

[Nitra]

I agree, I think you should be asking your doctor some questions. Did he say it is directly phen related?

I found some basic info but not really sure how well it will answer questions. I believe in educating myself and talking to the doctor. If he did not seem concerned then how high were they? Possibly seek a second opinion?

Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, a component of many foods we eat. An abnormality in the production or elimination of uric acid can cause attacks of gouty arthritis, kidney stones, and even, in extreme cases, the blockage of the kidney tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney failure. Many people, on the other hand, develop elevated uric acid levels -- known as hyperuricemia -- without experiencing arthritis or kidney problems.
The relationship between hyperuricemia and gout is unclear. Many people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout, while some of those with repeated gout attacks have normal or low uric acid levels in their blood. Among the male population in the United States, approximately ten percent have hyperuricemia. However, only a small portion of those with hyperuricemia actually develop gout.
Contributing factors and causes of gout include:
certain foods high in purines, especially meats, seafood, dried peas and beans, and certain vegetables
crash diets resulting in sudden weight loss
dehydration
obesity
alcohol abuse
severe illness, such as cancer or certain types of red blood cell disorders
excess cell destruction associated with diuretic drugs or chemotherapy
gout sometimes appears spontaneously as a result of surgery, probably related to changes in body fluid balance as patients temporarily discontinue normal oral fluid intake in preparation for and recovery from surgery
many patients with gout have abnormally low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
a few people have gouty arthritis even though they have normal uric acid levels
Gout is often inherited. Your body may produce too much uric acid if you have certain uncommon genetic defects. While there is no cure for gout, attacks can generally be controlled with medication and diet.

ALT/SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase) - Found mainly in the liver, the activity of this enzyme is measured in Blood plasma. Damage from alcohol, strenuous exercise, and a number of diseases can cause high test values. Elevated levels of this enzyme can be an indication of viral hepatitis and other forms of liver disease

Creatinine (not sure this is what you had an issue with) - A waste product largely from muscle metabolism (breakdown). Concentration of creatinine in the Blood depends upon the amount of muscle that you have and the ability of your kidneys to excrete creatinine. High values, especially with high BUN levels, may indicate problems with the kidneys. Because of its insensitivity in detecting early renal failure, the creatinine clearance is significantly reduced before any rise in serum creatinine occurs. The renal impairment may be due to intrinsic renal lesions, decreased perfusion of the kidney, or obstruction of the lower urinary tract. Low values are generally not considered significant.

Hemoglobin (HGB) - A protein which enables the RBCs to distribute oxygen throughout the body. A hemoglobin test is done when a person is ill or during a general physical examination. Good health requires an adequate amount of hemoglobin. The amount of oxygen in the body tissues depends on how much hemoglobin is in the red cells. Without enough hemoglobin, the tissues lack oxygen, and the heart and lungs must work harder to try to compensate. If the test indicates a "less than" or "greater than" normal amount of hemoglobin, the cause of the decrease or increase must be discovered. A low hemoglobin usually means the person has anemia. Anemia results from conditions that decrease the number or size of red cells, such as excessive bleeding, a dietary deficiency, destruction of cells because of a transfusion reaction or mechanical heart valve, or an abnormally formed hemoglobin. A high hemoglobin may be caused by polycythemia vera, a disease in which too many red Blood cells are made. Hemoglobin levels also help determine if a person needs a Blood transfusion. Normal hemoglobin levels range from 12 to 16 grams per deciliter (g/dL) of Blood. Usually a person's hemoglobin must be below eight gm/dl before a transfusion is considered.

None of this is to make you panic or get crazy ideas ok? It is just so you have some information on POSSIBILITIES.

Pick up the phone and call the doc and ask questions!

[ December 07, 2001: Message edited by: Nitra ]

[lizard]

Hey...I was looking for info too. I found that dehydration showed up as the cause of elevated levels in several of the tests you listed. Make sure you drink a lot of water! Also, they may have not been that elevated. Bloodwork uses ranges that are approximate/average. Many people "normally" fall above or below those ranges...they aren't exact numbers. I would still check with the Dr., but I wouldn't get too worried...even things like stress can affect your levels...or like I said, they may be YOUR "normal" levels. But I'd call just to make sure.

[brock7717]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I questioned her for about fifteen minutes yesterday, and all she could say was lower my protein, and retest in six weeks. She is the one who prescribed the phen, so she knows i am on it. I eat very little protein and drink 150 oz. of water daily, of course I probably sweat 180 oz.lol... Keep the suggestions coming. I am going to call her monday and ask her about possible diabetes. It runs in the family and my grandmother says that i have some symtoms. Thanks again guys for all your help, without the support of all of you I would not have made it this far

[Nitra]

If you are working out a lot then you probably need more water. I dont work out that much or sweat a lot and I drink about 90oz a day. Sounds like the doc is not too concerned. If she was you would know it. I would say request she do a glucose tolerance test, that is what they do for diabetes and tell her it runs in your family. If you are not having other symptoms she may be reluctant to test for it. I dont think it can hurt a thing other than it is horrible..lol. Be sure to schedule it for first thing in the morning cause you have to fast then when you get there they take blood then make you drink this super sugary drink, sorta like orange nehi then take more blood. then every so often for the next 3 or 6 hrs depending on how long of one they decide to run they draw blood. You come out of there weak and icky feeling believe me. I took a peanut butter sandwich and kept in my car and water too. When I got out of there I had to eat right away or I would have passed out.

Good luck!