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What Does The Following Blood Test Report Suggest?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I received my blood work results and I am very concerned. Although they have always been normal this time they were not. I should mention that I haven't had bloodwork in at least a year. Areas of concern include: Cholesterol, Total 211....LDL Cholesterol Calc 110. ALTHOUGH (SPGT) 33...IU/L 0-32. AST (SGOT) is 30 IU/L 0-40. I have been taking 40mg of Cymbalta for the last two or three years. Should I be concerned?
I received my blood work results and I am very concerned. Although they have always been normal this time they were not. I should mention that I haven't had bloodwork in at least a year. Areas of concern include: Cholesterol, Total 211....LDL Cholesterol Calc 110. ALTHOUGH (SPGT) 33...IU/L 0-32. AST (SGOT) is 30 IU/L 0-40. I have been taking 40mg of Cymbalta for the last two or three years. Should I be concerned?
Brief Answer:
probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your cholesterol levels are not bad. LDL cholesterol at a level of 110mg/dL does not need correction in patients without diabetes mellitus or serious cardiovascular disease. Taking into account that you haven't mentioned your triglycerides, I gather they are less than 150mg/dL, so your HDL cholesterol levels should be around 70mg/dL (which is great!).
Regarding this minimal SGPT elevation, duloxetine is more than enough to justify it. Other potential causes may include being overweight or obese (you haven't mentioned your body weight), drinking alcohol or taking supplements and very rarely some types of hepatitis and other similar liver disorders. I consider hepatitis and the rest of disorders a very rare possibility with only such a mild SGPT elevation though.
You could do a follow-up testing for SGOT, SGPT, ALP, gamma GT to make sure that their values do not increase over time. If they do, then an ultrasound scan of the liver would be helpful. Depending on the results, more tests might be needed.
So in conclusion, your current situation is not raising any serious concerns for the reasons I've described but a new test might be helpful to reinforce this argument.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your cholesterol levels are not bad. LDL cholesterol at a level of 110mg/dL does not need correction in patients without diabetes mellitus or serious cardiovascular disease. Taking into account that you haven't mentioned your triglycerides, I gather they are less than 150mg/dL, so your HDL cholesterol levels should be around 70mg/dL (which is great!).
Regarding this minimal SGPT elevation, duloxetine is more than enough to justify it. Other potential causes may include being overweight or obese (you haven't mentioned your body weight), drinking alcohol or taking supplements and very rarely some types of hepatitis and other similar liver disorders. I consider hepatitis and the rest of disorders a very rare possibility with only such a mild SGPT elevation though.
You could do a follow-up testing for SGOT, SGPT, ALP, gamma GT to make sure that their values do not increase over time. If they do, then an ultrasound scan of the liver would be helpful. Depending on the results, more tests might be needed.
So in conclusion, your current situation is not raising any serious concerns for the reasons I've described but a new test might be helpful to reinforce this argument.
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
Thank you doctor. I am 5' 2" 110lbs. I did go out on the town with my husband and some friends the night before my test. I fasted after that.
Brief Answer:
nothing to worry about probably but please do a repeat test
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome.
I suppose you mean that you drunk some alcohol when going out? Your body weight seems fine, so it shouldn't be reason for this elevation. The only factor that probably has something to do with it, is duloxetine.
If you get the same result after a week or so, then this is probably it. Of course you can talk with your doctor for further testing regarding various liver diseases but I would consider it unnecessary.
Kind Regards!
nothing to worry about probably but please do a repeat test
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome.
I suppose you mean that you drunk some alcohol when going out? Your body weight seems fine, so it shouldn't be reason for this elevation. The only factor that probably has something to do with it, is duloxetine.
If you get the same result after a week or so, then this is probably it. Of course you can talk with your doctor for further testing regarding various liver diseases but I would consider it unnecessary.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My triglycerides 62
Brief Answer:
that's even better
Detailed Answer:
Since your triglycerides are 62, your HDL should be higher than I thought (around 85-90), which is a very protective level for your blood vessels against atherosclerosis, the very process that causes heart attacks and strokes.
Kind Regards!
that's even better
Detailed Answer:
Since your triglycerides are 62, your HDL should be higher than I thought (around 85-90), which is a very protective level for your blood vessels against atherosclerosis, the very process that causes heart attacks and strokes.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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