anything to help liver?

[beefcake27]

I am obviously a newbie and want (need) to know what type of suplements I can take to try and counter act the damage being done to the liver. Secondly, if you get blood work done, do they automatically test liver levels or do I need to ask specifically. I'm not showing symptoms, but am paranoid by nature.

 

[JLAWz]

I am obviously a newbie and want (need) to know what type of suplements I can take to try and counter act the damage being done to the liver. Secondly, if you get blood work done, do they automatically test liver levels or do I need to ask specifically. I'm not showing symptoms, but am paranoid by nature.

I just keep alcohol and tylenol to a minimum and take sups. like
R-ala and Tylers liver detox.

 

[Snarf]

If you are on orals, I would keep alcohol and tylenol to zero. Also, check all your cough/cold meds before you take them - most have tylenol in them.

If you are worried about liver enzyme values, just ask for a standard LFT panel.

The usual liver supps you hear mentioned can't hurt really, but they are no replacement for a full LFT. If your liver decides it does not like the drug you are on, some over the counter supp is not going to make one bit of difference.

 

[beefcake27]

Jlawz, Thanks and where do I find that stuff....GNC I assume has it.

 

[beefcake27]

Snarf, you know your stuff. Will my doctor know whats up if I ask for that LFT test, or is it pretty common.

Also,,,I have a real concern cause I hernaited a disk in my back awhile back and frequently take prescribed Vicodin for the pain (didnt opt for surgery). Any ingedients in there that are gonna screw me up worse.

 

[Snarf]

Your doc will know what an LFT is, but just tell him you are taking some steroids and want him to check your liver values to be safe. Your best bet is to be honest.

The only problem with the vicodin is that it contains Tylenol. Depending on the version, likely 500mg. How many are you taking per day? Vicodin is not really a good solution for chronic back pain. Have you tried a NSAID like ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil to see if you can get by on that? It is an anti-inflammatory and sometimes can help with back pain.

Good luck and stay healthy.

 

[beefcake27]

The Vikes are 750 mg and I take them as needed. Some days (depending on pain) I may take three throughout the day. But, I may not take any for a week or two at a time. I also take 800 mg ibuprofen when needed. I was kinda afraid that I was doing more damage than the "supps" by itself, but sometimes the pain is pretty f'in bad (especially after lifting hard). I'm in a catch 22 and I guess I need to discontinue one or the other.

 

[Snarf]

One suggestion is to get a Rx for either Lortab, which has less tylenol in it, or there is a fixed combination oxycodone/NSAID, but I can't remember the name. Your doc will know, or I might look it up later. The last option would be to go with single entity oxycodone (Roxicodone). This has no tylenol at all. Each of these solutions will reduce your tylenol dose. COmbine this with staying away from orals and check your LFTs and you would be safer than a lot of bro's on this board.

 

[jboldman]

This is really bad advice! Do NOT tell your doc that you are on steroids since it will then become part of your permanent medical record that you are taking illegal scheduled drugs(in the us anyway). Aside from your doc, every nurse and nurses aide that sees you at the doc's office will have access to that knowledge as well as your health insurance company. Remember that little questionairre that you filled out when you applied for life insurance or medical insurance? The question where it asks you about illegal drug use? well, you are now on record as having taken them.

If you want to tell your doc anything, just tell him that you are on otc bodybuilding supplements and want to make sure then are not affecting your liver. That way you are not admitting to a felony use of a scheduled drug.

As far as supplements are concerned, it is clinically shown that some supps have liver protecting properties, including but not limited to Milk thistle, n-acetyl cysteine, r-ala among others. A prudent user would supplement with some or all of these just to be on the safe side as well as getting frequent checkups including blood work.

BTW, it is my understanding that acetaminophen at low doses is the drug of choice for pain for people with liver disease. You need to be careful because at high doses (>4g/day) or when combined with alcohol it can be deadly liver toxic. See here for an informative article at liverdisease.com:
http://liverdisease.com/painkillers.html

jb

Your doc will know what an LFT is, but just tell him you are taking some steroids and want him to check your liver values to be safe. Your best bet is to be honest.

The only problem with the vicodin is that it contains Tylenol. Depending on the version, likely 500mg. How many are you taking per day? Vicodin is not really a good solution for chronic back pain. Have you tried a NSAID like ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil to see if you can get by on that? It is an anti-inflammatory and sometimes can help with back pain.

Good luck and stay healthy.

 

[BrothaBill]

Both answers make sense above to tell or not to tell. I think you have to weigh the risk. I certainly agree that the best medical care is with full disclosure with the physician. Unfortunately, if you have an insurance company pay for it, then it does become part of your medical record and is reported to a central insurance board (MIRB). That means it follows you for any insurance purposes and may cause a problem for getting insurance later and we all know insecure our privacy is right now. So personally, unless there is a problem I wouldnt disclose that info just b/c of paranoia. If you feel the need to seek medical advice and dont want the repercussions of disclosing that info, then go to a doctor and private pay so that the info is not reported to the insurance board. So thats the solution. Research the drugs you are taking, that alleviate the anxiety and use a different physician and pay out of pocket.