HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does The Following Blood Test Report Indicate?

default
Posted on Wed, 26 Apr 2017
Question: Hello, I had a blood test today and my ast was 29 and alt was 43 well within the range. How could it spike so much 3 weeks earlier ast 67 and alt 112 ? I think it was from the casodex and Lupron. Thank you , XXXXXXX Kay
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it's possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

it's clear that both drugs may indeed raise the liver function tests. The test reports alone are not enough to diagnose a drug side effect. Other causes have to be excluded first. A drug is considered to be causing a side effect if:
- the side effect is adequately documented in medical literature
- if the symptom/finding occurred after initiating treatment
- if the symptom/findings disappeared after stopping treatment
- if the symptom/finding occurred again after re-initiating treatment
- if other potential causes are excluded
- if the symptom/finding occurred again in the past after using the same drug
etc

So it's not easy to say for sure whether a symptom/finding can be attributed to a side effect or not. It is possible indeed but it's not certain.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Doctor Now
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
What Does The Following Blood Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: it's possible Detailed Answer: Hello, it's clear that both drugs may indeed raise the liver function tests. The test reports alone are not enough to diagnose a drug side effect. Other causes have to be excluded first. A drug is considered to be causing a side effect if: - the side effect is adequately documented in medical literature - if the symptom/finding occurred after initiating treatment - if the symptom/findings disappeared after stopping treatment - if the symptom/finding occurred again after re-initiating treatment - if other potential causes are excluded - if the symptom/finding occurred again in the past after using the same drug etc So it's not easy to say for sure whether a symptom/finding can be attributed to a side effect or not. It is possible indeed but it's not certain. Kind Regards!