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What Causes Elevated AST And ALT Levels While Suffering From Common Cold?
Question: Can a common cold raise AST (mine was up to 36 from 32) when I had my last blood test (I had a cold)? My ALT was also high at 37.
I have heard that a cold CAN do it. But I am afraid that it is not really the cold, but the cold medications that cause the increase. I had not taken ANY medications during my entire illness.
I have heard that a cold CAN do it. But I am afraid that it is not really the cold, but the cold medications that cause the increase. I had not taken ANY medications during my entire illness.
Brief Answer:
I nee to have the full blood tests reports with reference range...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I read your message and understood your medical problem.
Before I say my final opinion, I need you to mention to me what medications you have taken for your cold. Also, please send all the results of the tests you have already done. I need to check them on my own as I want to compare with the reference range the lab is using.
Some pain relievers and antibiotics may cause elevation of AST and ALT which is self-limited and goes to normal after the drug intake is stopped. This happens as the liver is the place where these drugs metabolize and by this way, they may put the liver under pressure, especially if this is the first time you take these type of medicines.
Associated health conditions and heavy therapeutic schedules such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy weaken the process of liver functioning and may lead to higher liver enzymes which may persist for a longer period of time.
Common cold even if is due to a severe infection is not too much related with liver enzymes.
Unless, the virus caused cold symptoms was the same causing mononucleosis, which is associated with high liver enzymes.
Anyway, there is nothing to worry about as your liver enzymes do not seem to be too high, But again I mention that I need to see the results myself.
Please kindly send to me the papers you have.
Thank you.
Dr.Albana
I nee to have the full blood tests reports with reference range...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I read your message and understood your medical problem.
Before I say my final opinion, I need you to mention to me what medications you have taken for your cold. Also, please send all the results of the tests you have already done. I need to check them on my own as I want to compare with the reference range the lab is using.
Some pain relievers and antibiotics may cause elevation of AST and ALT which is self-limited and goes to normal after the drug intake is stopped. This happens as the liver is the place where these drugs metabolize and by this way, they may put the liver under pressure, especially if this is the first time you take these type of medicines.
Associated health conditions and heavy therapeutic schedules such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy weaken the process of liver functioning and may lead to higher liver enzymes which may persist for a longer period of time.
Common cold even if is due to a severe infection is not too much related with liver enzymes.
Unless, the virus caused cold symptoms was the same causing mononucleosis, which is associated with high liver enzymes.
Anyway, there is nothing to worry about as your liver enzymes do not seem to be too high, But again I mention that I need to see the results myself.
Please kindly send to me the papers you have.
Thank you.
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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