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I’m A Wine Lover. I Typically Have About 2-3 Glasses
Question: I’m a wine lover. I typically have about 2-3 glasses of wine about 4-5 times a week. I know this is above the recommended amount for women. Im in my early 30s and have been drinking wine and beer for about 10 years. I’ve never been a binge drinker or get drunk (extremely rarely). I do sometimes have more of we got out socially. My liver readings about 6 months ago were AST (16) and ALT (14). I have had 2 kids and breastfed in the last 10 years. I didn’t drink when pregnant and only a small amount when breastfeeding. Could I still have underlying liver disease with healthy readings?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely if enzymes normal but still possible, future risk is always there
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ms Amansa, Welcome to "Ask A Doctor" service. I have read your question and here is my advice.
This is very good that you appreciate the hazards related to alcohol abuse specially liver problems.
Infact alcohol is the leading cause of liver disease in the world. Regarding your question, when liver enzymes are normal, the possibility of damage is very less likely as when liver cell are damaged they release these enzymes in the blood. However the possibility still could not be ruled out as latter enzymes can go up and some subtle inflammation may b going in liver with out raising the enzymes, but it is less likely..
Let me admit this that all people who use alcohol don't develop liver Injuries even with higher dose (there is some role for genetics) however the risk is always there. So I understand you possibly dont have any obvious liver Injury but the risk is always there and the best strategy is to try to get rid of it. Though it's not easy job. Initially there was a concept of safe level however latest multinational study clearly said that there is no safe level and alcohal may be dangerous in any amount.So best is to avoid it but if not possible, then the minimum it is the better it is.
Hopes this help you understand your query. Let me know if you have any further questions about this. I would be glad to answer that. Kind regards Dr Rahman
Unlikely if enzymes normal but still possible, future risk is always there
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ms Amansa, Welcome to "Ask A Doctor" service. I have read your question and here is my advice.
This is very good that you appreciate the hazards related to alcohol abuse specially liver problems.
Infact alcohol is the leading cause of liver disease in the world. Regarding your question, when liver enzymes are normal, the possibility of damage is very less likely as when liver cell are damaged they release these enzymes in the blood. However the possibility still could not be ruled out as latter enzymes can go up and some subtle inflammation may b going in liver with out raising the enzymes, but it is less likely..
Let me admit this that all people who use alcohol don't develop liver Injuries even with higher dose (there is some role for genetics) however the risk is always there. So I understand you possibly dont have any obvious liver Injury but the risk is always there and the best strategy is to try to get rid of it. Though it's not easy job. Initially there was a concept of safe level however latest multinational study clearly said that there is no safe level and alcohal may be dangerous in any amount.So best is to avoid it but if not possible, then the minimum it is the better it is.
Hopes this help you understand your query. Let me know if you have any further questions about this. I would be glad to answer that. Kind regards Dr Rahman
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
How long would it take for a healthy liver - mine for example to be damaged by drinking 10-15 glasses of wine a week? I guess I always assumed that you would need to be downing bottle of liquor for a decade to get that kind of damage. What if I limit it to 7 or less a week...do you think that would lower my risk? Or is it possible I have liver damage just in 6 months from my last test?
Brief Answer:
See details please
Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Infact most people would not develop liver damage with this amount, but who would develope and when.? cannot be said because as said earlier there are many other factor like genetics, (some people develope with less amount other don't even with higher amount), other liver disease malnutrition that also matter. So it's less likely you would develop but risk is there and no surity can be given. when if any would develop cannot be predicted but generally takes more then 10 years.
Regarding restrictions, yes 7 is much better then 15 but still we can't say as there is no safe lemit. The minimum it is the better it is.
Generally cirrhosis takes many years like 10 to 20 or even more to be caused by alcohol. However acute liver Injury may also occur with high dose.
It is very less likely that there would be any damage in 6 months with this amount.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further queries.
See details please
Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Infact most people would not develop liver damage with this amount, but who would develope and when.? cannot be said because as said earlier there are many other factor like genetics, (some people develope with less amount other don't even with higher amount), other liver disease malnutrition that also matter. So it's less likely you would develop but risk is there and no surity can be given. when if any would develop cannot be predicted but generally takes more then 10 years.
Regarding restrictions, yes 7 is much better then 15 but still we can't say as there is no safe lemit. The minimum it is the better it is.
Generally cirrhosis takes many years like 10 to 20 or even more to be caused by alcohol. However acute liver Injury may also occur with high dose.
It is very less likely that there would be any damage in 6 months with this amount.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further queries.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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