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What Does My Liver Function Test Indicate?
Question: Hi
I'm trying to understand how high my liver readings actually are. My total protein is 8.9 (report says normal is 6.4 to 8.6), SGOT is 76 (report says normal 15 to 37) , and my SGPT is 198 (report sas normal is 12-78). Other readings that appear to be in the normal range are Bilirubin total , 0.5. Bilirubin Direct, 0.15. Alkaline Phosphatase 66. My doctor has scheduled me for an ultrasound of my liver, but I'm kind of panicking that my numbers are high. What could be causing this and should I be worried? As info, I take 3 medications daily for various reasons. Lexapro 15MG, Pantoprazole 40 MG, and Cimetidine 200mg (several tablets a day for heartburn). Not sure if my numbers could be related to any of these medications. Also, I just drink socially, maybe once every week or two. Any thoughts to ease my panicking would be appreciated.
I'm trying to understand how high my liver readings actually are. My total protein is 8.9 (report says normal is 6.4 to 8.6), SGOT is 76 (report says normal 15 to 37) , and my SGPT is 198 (report sas normal is 12-78). Other readings that appear to be in the normal range are Bilirubin total , 0.5. Bilirubin Direct, 0.15. Alkaline Phosphatase 66. My doctor has scheduled me for an ultrasound of my liver, but I'm kind of panicking that my numbers are high. What could be causing this and should I be worried? As info, I take 3 medications daily for various reasons. Lexapro 15MG, Pantoprazole 40 MG, and Cimetidine 200mg (several tablets a day for heartburn). Not sure if my numbers could be related to any of these medications. Also, I just drink socially, maybe once every week or two. Any thoughts to ease my panicking would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggetsion below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking on HCM!
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows:
1. You have mild elevated SGOT level and moderately elevated SGPT level. Your findings may be related with :
- alcohol use. How much alcohol do you use per week?
- obesity/ fatty liver
- Lexapro ( citalopram) side effects ( most probably)
- hepatitis
2. With regards to Protein level 8.9 it is at upper limit of normal.
Otherwise it is recommended that in your case to do protein electrophoresis to better evaluate which of the protein is slightly elevated.
One of the main cause of slightly elevated of protein level is dehydration.
3. There is nothing to be worried.The mos probably cause of your liver panel is Lexapro use. For the moment I suggest to stop Lexapro, stop using cimetidine for several tablets per day .Use pantoprazole up to 80 mg per day and start antacids like gaviscon.
If I were your treating doctor I would suggest to do :
- abdominal ultrasound
- Serological test for hepatitis like HbsAg and anti- HCV
- protein electrophoresis
Meantime I suggest to;
- avoid fatty and sugar foods
- increase physical activity
- stop alcohol use
- use sylimarine and Vit E as liver antioxidants
- try to loose weight if you are overweight.
Hope it was helpful!
Dr.Klerida
Please follow the suggetsion below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking on HCM!
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows:
1. You have mild elevated SGOT level and moderately elevated SGPT level. Your findings may be related with :
- alcohol use. How much alcohol do you use per week?
- obesity/ fatty liver
- Lexapro ( citalopram) side effects ( most probably)
- hepatitis
2. With regards to Protein level 8.9 it is at upper limit of normal.
Otherwise it is recommended that in your case to do protein electrophoresis to better evaluate which of the protein is slightly elevated.
One of the main cause of slightly elevated of protein level is dehydration.
3. There is nothing to be worried.The mos probably cause of your liver panel is Lexapro use. For the moment I suggest to stop Lexapro, stop using cimetidine for several tablets per day .Use pantoprazole up to 80 mg per day and start antacids like gaviscon.
If I were your treating doctor I would suggest to do :
- abdominal ultrasound
- Serological test for hepatitis like HbsAg and anti- HCV
- protein electrophoresis
Meantime I suggest to;
- avoid fatty and sugar foods
- increase physical activity
- stop alcohol use
- use sylimarine and Vit E as liver antioxidants
- try to loose weight if you are overweight.
Hope it was helpful!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response Dr. Klerida,
As far as alcohol use, I would say only about 3 beers every couple weeks. Also, something that I forgot to mention that may be relevant, is that the blood work also showed that i was positive for sjogrens......would that impact my liver panel?
As far as the Hepititis is concerned, I don't believe i am at risk for that, but wouldn't I have other symptoms? I have no fever, no yellowing, no dark urine, no abdominal pain. The word Hepititis scared me in your earlier response.....now i'm worried about that too.
My liver ultrasound is scheduled for this Friday.
As far as alcohol use, I would say only about 3 beers every couple weeks. Also, something that I forgot to mention that may be relevant, is that the blood work also showed that i was positive for sjogrens......would that impact my liver panel?
As far as the Hepititis is concerned, I don't believe i am at risk for that, but wouldn't I have other symptoms? I have no fever, no yellowing, no dark urine, no abdominal pain. The word Hepititis scared me in your earlier response.....now i'm worried about that too.
My liver ultrasound is scheduled for this Friday.
Brief Answer:
Please follow....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back
Thank you for giving more of your medical data.
With regards to sjogren , It is an autoimune disease and can be associated with elevated liver enzymes.
It's true that usually hepatitis is associated with fever, high bilirubin level but this happens in acute hepatitis not necessary in chronic form.
Otherwise you have two most probable causes to explain hight transaminases level ( sjorgen and lexapro use)rather than hepatitis.
There is nothing to be worried , but I should write to you that hepatitis is one cause even less probably at your case.
Hope it was helpful
Dr.Klerida
Please follow....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back
Thank you for giving more of your medical data.
With regards to sjogren , It is an autoimune disease and can be associated with elevated liver enzymes.
It's true that usually hepatitis is associated with fever, high bilirubin level but this happens in acute hepatitis not necessary in chronic form.
Otherwise you have two most probable causes to explain hight transaminases level ( sjorgen and lexapro use)rather than hepatitis.
There is nothing to be worried , but I should write to you that hepatitis is one cause even less probably at your case.
Hope it was helpful
Dr.Klerida
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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