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Suggest Treatment For Elevated ALT Levels
Question: My primary care doctor just told me, I have an elevated ALT of 55 and that I should get an ultrasound to rule out other causes. My ALT has been elevated for awhile. Should I be overly concerned? Is there any chance that this is something serious. For example, liver failure or cancer. I do have have some lower back pain, which is primarily in my middle lower back.
Here are the test results
PROTEIN, 6.4
ALBUMIN, S 4.7
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.6
BILIRUBIN, DIRECT 0.2
ALT (GPT) 55
AST(GOT) 32
ALK PTASE 72
Here are the test results
PROTEIN, 6.4
ALBUMIN, S 4.7
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.6
BILIRUBIN, DIRECT 0.2
ALT (GPT) 55
AST(GOT) 32
ALK PTASE 72
Brief Answer:
Not due to cancer or liver failure.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It is primarily the ALT which is raised in your case. The commonest cause of the same in your age group is due to fat deposition in the liver called a fatty liver. This can happen both due to the consumption of alcohol as well as sedentary lifestyle. My first suggestion is to get an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done to rule out fatty liver. This will not cause anything serious like liver failure or cancer.
The serum ALT (SGPT) level usually is greater than the AST level in non-alcoholic variant of fatty liver. XXXXXXX (non alcoholic steatohepatitis/ fatty liver) is basically excess fat deposition in the liver along with inflammation. It is usually suspected when the liver enzymes, ALT & AST are raised in the blood and there are no reasons to explain this rise. XXXXXXX most often occurs in people who are in their middle ages and are overweight/obese.
If fatty liver is found, then you need to restrict your alcohol intake (if you are taking any) and do some regular exercise like brisk walking for 45 min-1 hour daily. Ursodeoxychiloic acid (UDCA) is supposed to help in reducing the fatty liver.
I suggest you to consult a gastroenterologist and get it prescribed.
This is not related to the back pain that you have. Just start with exercise and medicines and get your levels re checked after 3 months to see the progress.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Not due to cancer or liver failure.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It is primarily the ALT which is raised in your case. The commonest cause of the same in your age group is due to fat deposition in the liver called a fatty liver. This can happen both due to the consumption of alcohol as well as sedentary lifestyle. My first suggestion is to get an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done to rule out fatty liver. This will not cause anything serious like liver failure or cancer.
The serum ALT (SGPT) level usually is greater than the AST level in non-alcoholic variant of fatty liver. XXXXXXX (non alcoholic steatohepatitis/ fatty liver) is basically excess fat deposition in the liver along with inflammation. It is usually suspected when the liver enzymes, ALT & AST are raised in the blood and there are no reasons to explain this rise. XXXXXXX most often occurs in people who are in their middle ages and are overweight/obese.
If fatty liver is found, then you need to restrict your alcohol intake (if you are taking any) and do some regular exercise like brisk walking for 45 min-1 hour daily. Ursodeoxychiloic acid (UDCA) is supposed to help in reducing the fatty liver.
I suggest you to consult a gastroenterologist and get it prescribed.
This is not related to the back pain that you have. Just start with exercise and medicines and get your levels re checked after 3 months to see the progress.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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