What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 5 Aug 2016

Question: I have had the same blood work done two years in a row now. Last year 7/15/2015 and this year 7/14/2016.

Total Protein Serum - Normal - right down the middle
Albumin, Serum - Normal - right down the middle
Total and direct bilirubin both normal and right down the middle
ALP - Normal
LDH - Normal
AST - Normal at 37 on a 0-40 chart. Same exact number both years
ALT - HIGH, 78 this year on a 0-44 scale, was 57 last year on same scale
GGT - 2015 at 115, 2016 at 159
Total Cholesterol last year 208 and this year 171. Done a lot of nutrition and exercise improvements

I have had other tests done in the past and usually alt is slightly high and ast is normal. On several both have been normal. I have normal cbc tests. All down the middle. I had a ct scan done 6 months ago and all they found was a benign intramuscular limpoma in my chest, they said all organs and liver looked normal. My blood pressure is between 125/85 and 140/90 depending on the day and how much I walk. I drink around 17-20 drinks a week and usually take 2 days off. I used to drink more but I have really cut back. Now I usually drink red wine and vodka with beer sometimes. I had a glass of wine the day before the test as well. Should I be looking at liver issues, kidney issues or could it be something else? I feel healthy overall but am slightly over weight at 6-4 233. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Fatty liver disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I am Dr. Barani and I am pleased to assist you.

The increased GGT could be due to alcohol intake.
The mildly raised ALT could be due to fatty liver disease.

You need to reduce weight. Keep the BMI below 25.
You need to reduce alcohol drinking.

Also get checked for hepatitis B and C.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (13 minutes later)

I have been wondering about Hep b and c, I will get those tests done. I do not really have the lifestyle for those however. I guess it's possible to get it from just drinking? I am going to lose more weight and stop drinking for a while. I think my past drinking was to high and I never really stopped to let my liver settle down, even though I drink a normal amount now. How long do you suggest I stop drinking? Would 1 or 2 months be enough and then retest? Should I be concerned about anything such as cirrhosis at this point? Also wouldn't they have been able to see fatty liver disease on the ct scan 6 months ago? I actually eat very very well. Tons of fruits and veggies and no soda at all. Water and coffee is what I drink.

Thanks for your help

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cirrhosis less likely as CT scan was normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Hepatitis B and C does not get transmitted by drinking.

It gets transmitted from mother to child during birth and also due to transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, by contaminated needle and by sexual contact.

3-6 months after stopping alcohol, the liver returns to normal if there is no irreversible damage like fibrosis and cirrhosis.

You have additional risk factor in the form of obesity also and you need to bring down the BMI to below 25.

You can get a fibroscan done which will let you know whether you have developed fibrosis.
As per the CT scan done 6 months ago, you do not have cirrhosis and it is less likely that you would have developed cirrhosis within this 6 months period.

Albumin globulin ratio above one also will rule out any chronic liver disease.
I presume your albumin globulin ratio is above one.

Regards,
Dr.Barani

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee