I've noticed consistent out of range values on my last three lab reports from blood work done to monitor my Statin drug.

These laboratory reports for September 2011, February 2011 and November 2010 can be viewed at:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5MIao3 I7OiZNjNhMjM2YjQtYWZkNi00ZmZhLWExNDAtMDExZWViNGU2M jJj&hl=en_US

I am taking Simvastatin 40mg(5 years), Fluoxetine 20mg and 2000 units of fish oil each per day. Im a 50 year old male with no health issues.


Is Smvastatin the likely culprit? If not what else could be causing these elevated values?

Please dont just say see a specialist....of course that is the next plan, but I invite knowledgeable expert comments here first.

Thanks.

Statins have been flagged up as causing a lot of problems for habitual users. However doctors are aware of this and a chat with your doctor should make it clear to you why he feels this particular treatment is the best for you and that he has taken the possible side effects into account. It really is best to talk this over with your doctor. And do it soon!

I suffered a severe bout of pancreatitis in June 2010 for which I was hospitalized for a month due to critical conditions. I also developed blood clots which lead to pulmonary embolism and the pancreatitis subsequently formed a pseudo-cyst which required surgery later. I even had an IVC Filter placed in my major artery so future blood clots don’t creep around. In the ICU for 2 weeks, I was given the required treatment and continued on the medication.
I routinely get my INR checked and enzymes through blood work. Yesterday I found out the Amylase levels were at a whopping 200!! My normal range should be no more than 90. This is very odd and strange since I never drank a drop of alcohol my entire life, I barely ever have an appetite so I rarely eat, I am a pure vegetarian when I do ever eat and any form of fat is non-existent in my diet. So what could be causing this??

I also suffer from Crohns Disease at the moderate to severe level and Rheumatoid Arthritis in the moderate level. I am 29 years old and weigh 80 lbs at 5'1.

Hi Mettie

I am sorry to hear that you have been so poorly. There are many causes of hyperamylasemia. Some may include: Pancreatitis - also known as inflammation of the pancreas which you had This can cause amylase and lipase levels to be increased up to 3 times the normal limit. Both values should be increased, in order to carry the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Tumors - Amylase enzyme levels may be increased in some pancreas, salivary, prostate, lung and ovarian tumours but I am sure you have been screened for those and they are not the cause of your problems. Gall bladder infection - Inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis), may cause increased amylase levels, causing hyperamylasemia. Kidney failure can result in hyperamylasemia. Recent Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) procedure can result in hyperamylasemia. Some medications may lead to pancreatitis, which could cause hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia. Your doctor or healthcare provider will diagnose hyperamylasemia or hyperlipasemia by drawing a tube of blood. If there is a suspicion of gall bladder, pancreas or kidney problems, an ultrasound of the gall bladder or pancreas, or a CAT scan of your abdomen, may also be performed.

The risk of pancreatitis, including hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia, his increased in people who are extremely overweight (obese), have high triglyceride levels in the blood or drink too much alcohol. Also in those who have been diagnosed with gall bladder stones (which may block the flow of secretions from the pancreas to the intestines) Or have a family history of pancreatitis. I hope this was a one off for you and that you will now be fine.

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