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What Causes Low AST And ALT Levels?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: what does it mean when the ALT and the AST are actually lower than the normal range; mine were ALt=4 and AST=5
Been having lots of fatigue lately but can't find anything much wrong so far. Mainly fatigue and weakness.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
nothing to do with your symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

low AST and ALT can sometimes be found in
- normal individuals
- renal patients (patients on dialysis or with azotemia)
- pyridoxal phosphate deficiency (malnourished, alcoholics, etc)

Your fatigue may have to do with your hypothyroidism (unless your TSH was normal). Other common causes of fatigue include anemia (low hematocrit), electrolyte disorders (sodium, potassium, calcium), infections (fever may be present), various types of cancer, etc

Fatigue is a difficult symptom to investigate particularly when all laboratory tests are normal. The clinician has to detect something unusual or abnormal to direct the investigation appropriately.

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

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (7 hours later)
Thank you, was very helpful. Had trouble with heat exhaustion this summer; maybe that's all that's wrong. Should be getting better with cooler weather. I also been having some breathing problems, with allergies, pollen and so forth. But I never had trouble before with allergies. Guess it might be my age or maybe that I live in South XXXXXXX !!
Thanks again.
I was wondering if my liver or something was not functioning.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
the liver is fine

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!

Your liver is not affected (at least as far as the transaminases measurement may reveal). The results are not worrisome.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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What Causes Low AST And ALT Levels?

Brief Answer: nothing to do with your symptoms Detailed Answer: Hello, low AST and ALT can sometimes be found in - normal individuals - renal patients (patients on dialysis or with azotemia) - pyridoxal phosphate deficiency (malnourished, alcoholics, etc) Your fatigue may have to do with your hypothyroidism (unless your TSH was normal). Other common causes of fatigue include anemia (low hematocrit), electrolyte disorders (sodium, potassium, calcium), infections (fever may be present), various types of cancer, etc Fatigue is a difficult symptom to investigate particularly when all laboratory tests are normal. The clinician has to detect something unusual or abnormal to direct the investigation appropriately. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!