Itchy skin - a reminder on elevated liver enzymes.

[Evelyn K]

I posted this in the HRT forum, but since it's important and there is much more traffic on MTF I'm adding it here.

I've recently went more aggressive with my oral EV and was scheduled for new labs next Wed. However I noticed I'm getting hives and itchy skin lately. A little research points to possibly being an indicator of liver stress (high liver enzymes). Your liver is being overloaded and not filtering enough toxins (such as biliruben) and permeates in your skin causing itching.

I'm going out to get blood work done today, hopefully it isn't what I'm suspecting.

Just a heads up.

[LittleEmily24]

this is interesting, considering that a couple of months ago i was getting the same response ~ but i just assumed it was a side effect from the Spiro 0_o (read somewhere that itchiness and hives were a common side effect of Spiro dont know if  you're on spiro)i just got my blood work back and it doesn't show any liver irregularities, but anything is possible im sure.

anyway, just thought i'd leave a response on a similar experience

[Evelyn K]

I'm also on spiro but itching is supposed to be a rare side effect.

[JulieBlair]

I hope it is nothing, please take good care of yourself.  There are other medications to lower T levels, but Spiro is both cheap and pretty effective.

Here is to fair winds and calm seas.
j

[Randi]

Several months ago my blood tests revealed an elevated liver enzyme test, particularly the ratio of AST/ALT:

At my doctor's suggestion I eliminated alcohol for seven weeks and tested again.  The levels were much improved and either normal or very close.

Many things stress the liver, but it has remarkable powers of recuperation.  I have resumed moderate drinking.

It won't do you much good to change your sex if you damage your liver in the process.  If you are obese, taking HRT and drinking more than a few drinks a week, you might find yourself with liver damage.

Randi

[Megan Joanne]

Take care Evelyn (I know you will, you don't strike me as the irresponsible type), and keep us updated. Good topic by the way, always info like this is potentially helpful to someone.

I've never drank any alcoholic beverages in my life, and rarely take medication, usually choosing to ride it out, let it run its coarse, so hopefully my liver is in fine shape and whatever dose I take for hormones won't affect it too badly.

[Evelyn K]

Done and Done. Yeah will wait for my results by sometime next week. Will take some time because I got some other panels thrown in there for the hell of it. In the meantime I'm just dropping the oral EV completely until then.

My next step is injectible EV if my enzymes are too high.

[helen2010]

Good post. My itchy skin comes and goes. Doesn't appear related to hrt dosage and I have not tracked v weight or alcohol.  Interestingly the statins I take for cholesterol reduction can irritate the liver.  But there again so can haemochromatosis ( excessive iron )    Need to discuss with my endo but liver enzymes have been ok at each test so don't know where my itchiness comes from

Aisla

Ps.  I also get itchy and red skin under the electrodes following a long galvanic session unless I drink plenty of water and moisturize prior

[jname]

It's probably the spiro. Itchyness etc seems to be quite a common side effect.

[Ltl89]

Good thing that you are getting it checked.  I never really had itchy skin or hives from hrt.  The closet thing I would get was bad blushing and hot flashes on my face.  In any case, I hope it isn't related to your hormones and hope the labs come back good. 

[Misha]

I posted this in the HRT forum, but since it's important and there is much more traffic on MTF I'm adding it here.

I've recently went more aggressive with my oral EV and was scheduled for new labs next Wed. However I noticed I'm getting hives and itchy skin lately. A little research points to possibly being an indicator of liver stress (high liver enzymes). Your liver is being overloaded and not filtering enough toxins (such as biliruben) and permeates in your skin causing itching.

I'm going out to get blood work done today, hopefully it isn't what I'm suspecting.

Just a heads up.

Good luck Evelyn! The paper with my blockers literally mentions skin itching over whole body as a sign of liver toxicity so I really hope it's not that.

The general advice when on HRT stands: preferably no alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Personally the only alcohol I ever had was from poorly hidden rum dezerts when I was 5. Result: fell asleep shortly after under the table. Since then, no thanks :-) .