Does TB Medicine Affect Liver Function And Can Someone Have Tuberculosis Without Symptoms?

Posted on Mon, 12 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 Answered on

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my sgot level is 49 and sgpt level 66 after 1 month of tb medicine. doctor says nothing to worry and you need to come after 2 weeks for check up again.

Only thing i have been advised that i should take PYZ(1500 mg) after lunch.

Is there a cause of worry

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

No need to worry at all!

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.
Your liver enzymes(SGOT and SGPT) fall with in normal range and nothing abnormal there to worry.

Your TB medicines may rarely cause liver dysfunctions but in that case the values will be in the range of thousands. So no need to worry as of now.

It is better to avoid hepatotoxic substances including alcohol while you are on TB drugs.

Wishing you good health.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (22 hours later)

Thanks for reply. This certainly eases me.

Just one clarification though. I am diagnosed with tuberculosis lymphadenitis. However my lymph nodes maximum size is 2.6 cm and not visible. However they are at neck and near food pipes ( classified as mediastinal adenopathy)

I had no symptoms at all prior to start of medicine and still minor symptoms of gas due to tb medicine.

My tb was detected just through random check-in (CT scan) for visa extension. Then FNAC and Genexpert confirmed the same.

However since there were no symptoms earlier, I am not so sure how can I assess myself getting cured.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:

You have to complete the full course of TB drugs.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thanks for followup.

Tuberculosis can be cured by proper treatment. Even if you are symptom free you have to take complete course of TB drugs.

If you skip the drugs you may develop re attacks which can be more serious.

You can tackle minor side effects like gastritis with antacids like Pantoprazole.

Size of the node doesn’t matter once diagnosis is confirmed.

Wishing you good health.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana