How your genes impact the risk of liver damage from acetaminophen
Hi there,
This week's new article focuses on how genetic variants impact your risk of liver damage from acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol, or paracetamol in Europe). Acetaminophen is taken by millions worldwide for pain relief. However, it isn't completely safe for everyone at higher doses.
Liver failure or liver damage can occur in some individuals with higher doses when taken regularly (e.g., for a few weeks). A 2017 study showed that acetaminophen caused 500 deaths and more than 50,000 emergency room visits per year in the US.[ref]
Several genetic studies indicate that some people may be at a higher risk of liver failure or liver damage from acetaminophen.
I don't want this article to be taken as a scare tactic. Instead, my goal is to help you evaluate the risk. This is important if you have chronic pain or need a higher acetaminophen dose for an injury or surgery. Read through the article, check your genotypes, and then talk with your doctor if you need help determining which pain medication is right for you. Everyone's situation is unique, and genetic risk factors are just one consideration.
Finally, I wanted to mention that this week marked the three-year anniversary of Genetic Lifehacks as a member-supported site. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Genetic Lifehacks as a member! It has been so rewarding to write about topics I'm passionate about without needing to sell supplements, tests, or cater to advertisers. I appreciate every single member who makes this site possible. My goal with Genetic Lifehacks has always been to help people understand the current research and use their genetic data as a tool to individualize their diet and lifestyle. With your help, I've reached a few million people with this website, hopefully helping many readers reach their wellness goals.
Stay curious,
Debbie
Acetaminophen and Liver Damage: Understanding the Role of Genetics
Key takeaways:
~ Acetaminophen can cause liver damage at higher levels or with chronic use, but only in some people.
~ Genetic variants interact with acetaminophen in the risk of liver damage.
~ Understanding your genetic risk, along with lifestyle factors, can help you decide which pain reliever may be the best choice for you.
Acetaminophen, liver damage, and genes:
Acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol or as paracetamol in Europe, is a widely used over-the-counter medication for pain and fever reduction. While generally safe when taken as directed, higher doses of acetaminophen can lead to severe liver damage and potentially fatal liver failure.
In fact, acetaminophen-related liver damage is currently the most common cause of liver transplant in the US, with more than 56,000 emergency room visits per year from acetaminophen-related liver problems.[ref]
In this article, we’ll explore the research on how liver damage occurs with acetaminophen use and why genetic variants can increase the risk of liver damage at levels that most people can handle.
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What I've been reading:
1) Plasmalogens and Alzheimer's Prevention
Check out the latest on the longevity lifehacks substack. This is where I'm adding longevity and healthspan articles that aren't specific to genetics. You can sign up for free, or you can support it with a subscription if you want to.
2) Microbiome test regulations
Science published an article on how direct-to-consumer microbiome testing should be regulated by the government. From the article: "...consumers may be financially exploited or harmed by inappropriate use of test results that neither they nor their doctors understand. To address concerns over such potential harms, we conclude that regulators should develop requirements for the industry to document and demonstrate the consistency and validity of methods and claims." (My takeaway - the author thinks normal people are too dumb to understand what's in their poop, and thus the government should step in.)
3) GWAS study for OCD variants
This is still in pre-print, but the study on genetics and OCD is interesting. From the study: "OCD was significantly positively genetically correlated with neuroticism (especially with the worry sub-cluster), conscientiousness, loneliness, and tiredness, while the genetic correlation with household income, subjective well-being, self-rated health, and sleep duration was negative. Notable are also the significant negative correlations with the three autoimmune disorders ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease and a positive correlation with adult-onset asthma."