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Elevated ALT Value, Other Two Values Normal. Taking Biaxin. Could That Be Causing Elevation?
Hello and welcome to XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing to us.
I can understand that it can be difficult for a doctor to reach a diagnosis when only the ALT reading is high, but in such cases we can only list down all the possible causes for a raised ALT and rule them out one-by-one, which will help us in reaching a diagnosis by exclusion. Before this let me tell you that off the two enzymes (i.e. ALT and AST), ALT is more specific for the liver and usually suggests some liver or liver cells damage when it is raised. But, there are also some non-hepatic (other than the liver) causes. For this purpose I shall list all the possible causes for an elevated ALT reading. They are:
-Medication (biaxin could easily be the cause to this)
-Alcohol
-Haemochromatosis
-Wilson's disease
-Chronic hepatitis (B and C)
-Autoimmune hepatitis
-Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
-Steatosis
-Non-alcoholic steatosis
Non-hepatic causes:
-Muscle diseases
-Exercise
-Coeliac diseases
Now coming to the medication 'biaxin', the contents of which are clarithromycin. This medication has reported to cause some hepatic dysfunction in many individuals. Yes, this could quite possibly be the cause for the raised ALT. And once you finish the course and discontinue this medication, the ALT levels should return back to normal. Only if they do not normalize even after discontinuing this medication, we will have to look into the above listed causes.
It is normal for the other two parameters not to be effected, as ALT is very sensitive and can be easily affected, unlike the other two parameters. Do not worry about this. I am sure you are fine.
I hope you found my response helpful and informative. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, or you could rate my answers after closing this discussion.
Best wishes.
Thank you for writing to us.
I can understand that it can be difficult for a doctor to reach a diagnosis when only the ALT reading is high, but in such cases we can only list down all the possible causes for a raised ALT and rule them out one-by-one, which will help us in reaching a diagnosis by exclusion. Before this let me tell you that off the two enzymes (i.e. ALT and AST), ALT is more specific for the liver and usually suggests some liver or liver cells damage when it is raised. But, there are also some non-hepatic (other than the liver) causes. For this purpose I shall list all the possible causes for an elevated ALT reading. They are:
-Medication (biaxin could easily be the cause to this)
-Alcohol
-Haemochromatosis
-Wilson's disease
-Chronic hepatitis (B and C)
-Autoimmune hepatitis
-Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
-Steatosis
-Non-alcoholic steatosis
Non-hepatic causes:
-Muscle diseases
-Exercise
-Coeliac diseases
Now coming to the medication 'biaxin', the contents of which are clarithromycin. This medication has reported to cause some hepatic dysfunction in many individuals. Yes, this could quite possibly be the cause for the raised ALT. And once you finish the course and discontinue this medication, the ALT levels should return back to normal. Only if they do not normalize even after discontinuing this medication, we will have to look into the above listed causes.
It is normal for the other two parameters not to be effected, as ALT is very sensitive and can be easily affected, unlike the other two parameters. Do not worry about this. I am sure you are fine.
I hope you found my response helpful and informative. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, or you could rate my answers after closing this discussion.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the response. How long after infected would the ALT levels get that high. Is it imediate or does it take a while to show up and if my boyfriend gets vaccinated will he be safe
Hello once again.
I am glad I could be of assistance.
The levels would go up almost immediately, without any delay.
And if you are talking about a vaccination against diseases like hepatitis, yes, your boyfriend can develop an immunity against them with a vaccination.
I hope this information helps. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
I am glad I could be of assistance.
The levels would go up almost immediately, without any delay.
And if you are talking about a vaccination against diseases like hepatitis, yes, your boyfriend can develop an immunity against them with a vaccination.
I hope this information helps. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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