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What Does My Liver Test Result Indicate?
Brief Answer:
Don't worry, stop Alcohol use
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you asking HCM
You are reporting to have slightly elevated GGT and moderate elevated of AST level.
Alcohol use is the main cause of your elevated liver panel.
Don't worry, they are slightly elevated and if you stop alcohol use they will be within normal range.
If I were your treating doctor I would repeat your liver panel after 6 weeks you have stopped alcohol.
Wishing you all the best
Dr.Klerida
Don't worry, stop Alcohol use
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you asking HCM
You are reporting to have slightly elevated GGT and moderate elevated of AST level.
Alcohol use is the main cause of your elevated liver panel.
Don't worry, they are slightly elevated and if you stop alcohol use they will be within normal range.
If I were your treating doctor I would repeat your liver panel after 6 weeks you have stopped alcohol.
Wishing you all the best
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
What does it mean if your alt is not elevated, but your ast is? Is that good? Thank you for your response. I do feel more confident. But, I'm still curious about this. Please reply. And, thank you for the good news.
Brief Answer:
High ALT showing severe damage to liver
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
It is great that your ALT level is not increased. Please keep in mind that ALT is directly suggesting liver damage.
So, when it is increased, it is indicating liver damage of most severe stage.
Fortunately for you, no such damage is present and you have greater chances to get actual liver damage back to normal.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
High ALT showing severe damage to liver
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
It is great that your ALT level is not increased. Please keep in mind that ALT is directly suggesting liver damage.
So, when it is increased, it is indicating liver damage of most severe stage.
Fortunately for you, no such damage is present and you have greater chances to get actual liver damage back to normal.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Ok. Now im confused. If they only mentioned ast and ggt...not alt what does that mean? Does ast and alt always go together. Can you have a high ast and not alt? Would they have mentioned the word alt? Could you please explain? What are the three lft checked when doing a liver panel? Why are they doing a gall bladder sonogram.
I was told by the nurse ast and ggt. She did not mention alt. But I am looking on the panel. I dont see ggt. I only see ast and alt. Why wouldnt it mention ggt? And I am seeing the 157 under alt shen she specifically said ggt. I am getting scared. So I read it as ast 117 and alt 157. What did that mean? Why did she say ggt if I see it listed under alt? , SO, if it is true 157 alt and ast 117. What does that mean? Why the gall bladder test? If the duct is blocked what doesthat mean? Could ggt be listed as alt?
Ok forget the last two email questions. My sgtt is 157 and my sgot is 117. I got it wrong before. What does that mean? Will it go away with abstinence from alcohol? It is the alp that wasn't elevated. If not....What are the treatments for this? How serious is it? I know there is a ratio situation that I don't understand. Can you explain it?
I was told by the nurse ast and ggt. She did not mention alt. But I am looking on the panel. I dont see ggt. I only see ast and alt. Why wouldnt it mention ggt? And I am seeing the 157 under alt shen she specifically said ggt. I am getting scared. So I read it as ast 117 and alt 157. What did that mean? Why did she say ggt if I see it listed under alt? , SO, if it is true 157 alt and ast 117. What does that mean? Why the gall bladder test? If the duct is blocked what doesthat mean? Could ggt be listed as alt?
Ok forget the last two email questions. My sgtt is 157 and my sgot is 117. I got it wrong before. What does that mean? Will it go away with abstinence from alcohol? It is the alp that wasn't elevated. If not....What are the treatments for this? How serious is it? I know there is a ratio situation that I don't understand. Can you explain it?
Brief Answer:
Your increased ALT&AST levels not a cause for concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am sorry to know that you got confused. Generally, medical issues are difficult to understand for non-medical individuals.
Now, it can happen to have high AST levels without having increased ALT levels. When a liver function test is ordered, all three enzymes are recommended: AST, ALT and GGT to understand if:
- the liver is damaged?
- at what level it is damaged?
- you need further tests to get the final diagnosis.
Having high AST and GGT is indicative for possible:
- alcohol abuse
- cholecyst (biliary) issues like stones, sludge, etc.
This explains why they have ordered abdominal ultrasound to evaluate your cholecyst (biliary) pathways.
The nurse did not mention ALT because perhaps it was not elevated and not a cause for concern.
If you saw 117 under AST and 157 under ALT, then, both of them are elevated. Usually, GGT is also mentioned anywhere in the report. You can send a copy of the report to me for further evaluations.
Once again, such increased levels are not of concern. However, further tests are needed to find out what might have caused it.
The very first treatment is to follow healthy changes in the diet and lifestyle regimen.
If you drink alcohol, please try to stop using it.
If there are stones in the cholecyst or sludge, GI specialist would decide if you need surgery or oral treatment depending on the size of the stones.
If sludge is present, I usually recommend my patients to use herbal remedies for biliary tract sludge.
If inflammation/infection is present, then:
- antibiotics
- antispasmodics
are advised.
Once again, I do not see anything worrisome in your case.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Your increased ALT&AST levels not a cause for concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am sorry to know that you got confused. Generally, medical issues are difficult to understand for non-medical individuals.
Now, it can happen to have high AST levels without having increased ALT levels. When a liver function test is ordered, all three enzymes are recommended: AST, ALT and GGT to understand if:
- the liver is damaged?
- at what level it is damaged?
- you need further tests to get the final diagnosis.
Having high AST and GGT is indicative for possible:
- alcohol abuse
- cholecyst (biliary) issues like stones, sludge, etc.
This explains why they have ordered abdominal ultrasound to evaluate your cholecyst (biliary) pathways.
The nurse did not mention ALT because perhaps it was not elevated and not a cause for concern.
If you saw 117 under AST and 157 under ALT, then, both of them are elevated. Usually, GGT is also mentioned anywhere in the report. You can send a copy of the report to me for further evaluations.
Once again, such increased levels are not of concern. However, further tests are needed to find out what might have caused it.
The very first treatment is to follow healthy changes in the diet and lifestyle regimen.
If you drink alcohol, please try to stop using it.
If there are stones in the cholecyst or sludge, GI specialist would decide if you need surgery or oral treatment depending on the size of the stones.
If sludge is present, I usually recommend my patients to use herbal remedies for biliary tract sludge.
If inflammation/infection is present, then:
- antibiotics
- antispasmodics
are advised.
Once again, I do not see anything worrisome in your case.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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