Brief Answer:
probably not but it could

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

first of all the 'normal' levels depend on the laboratory normal range of values. Some labs (most of them) consider normal whatever is below 45 IU/L. Other labs may consider 75 a high-normal value. So you've got to check the report for the normal range.

ALT elevations are measured in times the highest-normal value. For example if the normal range if <45 then an ALT 79 means that it's almost 1.5-2.0 times the normal value. Most cases of hepatitis require elevations at least 3 times the normal value (or more). Some forms of hepatitis (like chronic hepatitis C or autoimmune hepatitis) may have fluctuating values and they may be even close to normal.

Most cases of slight elevations (like yours) are attributed to fatty liver changes, which is a potentially dangerous situation which may lead to steatohepatitis and even cirrhosis but most of the times it causes no serious trouble.

Fatty liver is usually caused by increased consumption of alcohol, obesity or diabetes mellitus. Other causes may apply but these three are the most common ones. Decreasing alcohol consumption, loosing weight and controlling diabetes are the best things that a patient can do about it.

Since the cause has not been established yet, investigation is needed.
If you were one of my patients I would have ordered a liver ultrasound scan, repeat measurements of the liver blood tests and serologic tests for hepatitis (HBsAg, AntiHBs, AntiHBc IgG/IgM, HCV, antinuclear antibodies).

The aforementioned are supposed to be initial tests. Depending on the results more tests might be needed.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!

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Brief Answer:
this is a very slight elevation

Detailed Answer:
Since your lab considers 72 as a normal value, 79 is not high. It's almost negligible but it does show that something has upset your liver. It could be the alcohol. Paracetamol has to be abused to cause liver problems, so I wouldn't consider this a risk factor (unless you use more than 4-5 grams per day).

I would insist on doing the tests, to find out if one of the common causes, I've mentioned apply. I suppose diabetes has been ruled out because glucose is always ordered when a patient does a check-up (have a look at the results to make sure it was though).

Kind Regards!

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Brief Answer:
Wise choice...

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!

Being overweight may also cause a very slight elevation. No strict cut-off point has been determined though, so nobody can really say if your weight caused it or not. This is mostly a diagnosis of exclusion. The ultrasound scan would help. If you've got visible fat on the liver (the ultrasound would detect that) then you've got the diagnosis!

Kind regards!

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