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Taking Simvistatin. Test Showed Elevated AST And AST Level. What's Going On?
Hello
Thanks for your query.
Your liver performs many functions pertaining to digestion, detoxification and protein, carbohydrate and medication metabolism. It produces and secretes several enzymes that have various roles throughout the body systems. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate mild to severe diseases that affect the liver or other organs. Treatment to control high cholesterol can also contribute to elevated liver enzymes.
AST (Aspartate transaminase) also called SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxalocetic Transaminase) or ASAT (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is similar to ALT (Alanine Transaminase). AST is an enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells found primarily in the liver, heart, kidney, pancreas and muscles. It is seen in tissue damage, especially the heart and liver. The lab values are raised in acute liver damage, but is also present in red blood cells, cardiac and skeletal muscle and is therefore not actually specific to the liver.
Normal Adult Range: 5 - 40 IU/L
ALT (Alanine Transaminase) also called SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) or or ALAT (Alanine Aminotransferase) is an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). Decreased ALT in combination with increased cholesterol levels is seen in cases of a congested liver. We also see increased levels in mononucleosis, alcoholism, liver damage, kidney infection, chemical pollutants or myocardial infarction.
Normal Adult Range: 7 - 56 IU/L
Hence, your results are not ominous, but high normal.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cholesterol medications are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. Among the many medications used to control cholesterol are statins. Statins work primarily in the liver by blocking a substance it needs to produce cholesterol, forcing the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood. Statins have many side effects, including increasing liver enzyme production. Untreated elevated enzymes can eventually lead to permanent liver damage. Therefore, if you start a statin regimen to manage your cholesterol, your physician may begin routine liver function tests to monitor your liver enzyme levels and adjust your treatment as necessary.
I think your liver enzymes are mildly elevated due to Simvistatin ( statin group ) and you need not worry at present.
Please consult your treating physician to make relevant dose adjustments and to rule out other causes of elevated liver enzymes.
Take care, and feel free to ask for further clarifications.
Thanks for your query.
Your liver performs many functions pertaining to digestion, detoxification and protein, carbohydrate and medication metabolism. It produces and secretes several enzymes that have various roles throughout the body systems. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate mild to severe diseases that affect the liver or other organs. Treatment to control high cholesterol can also contribute to elevated liver enzymes.
AST (Aspartate transaminase) also called SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxalocetic Transaminase) or ASAT (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is similar to ALT (Alanine Transaminase). AST is an enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells found primarily in the liver, heart, kidney, pancreas and muscles. It is seen in tissue damage, especially the heart and liver. The lab values are raised in acute liver damage, but is also present in red blood cells, cardiac and skeletal muscle and is therefore not actually specific to the liver.
Normal Adult Range: 5 - 40 IU/L
ALT (Alanine Transaminase) also called SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) or or ALAT (Alanine Aminotransferase) is an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). Decreased ALT in combination with increased cholesterol levels is seen in cases of a congested liver. We also see increased levels in mononucleosis, alcoholism, liver damage, kidney infection, chemical pollutants or myocardial infarction.
Normal Adult Range: 7 - 56 IU/L
Hence, your results are not ominous, but high normal.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cholesterol medications are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. Among the many medications used to control cholesterol are statins. Statins work primarily in the liver by blocking a substance it needs to produce cholesterol, forcing the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood. Statins have many side effects, including increasing liver enzyme production. Untreated elevated enzymes can eventually lead to permanent liver damage. Therefore, if you start a statin regimen to manage your cholesterol, your physician may begin routine liver function tests to monitor your liver enzyme levels and adjust your treatment as necessary.
I think your liver enzymes are mildly elevated due to Simvistatin ( statin group ) and you need not worry at present.
Please consult your treating physician to make relevant dose adjustments and to rule out other causes of elevated liver enzymes.
Take care, and feel free to ask for further clarifications.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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