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What Does This AST Level Of 46 Indicate?
Question: Father healthy 82 y.o. Labs one year ago normal. Recently had labs again. Ast 46 otherwise, normal. His Doctor wants to repeat his levels in 4-6 months. My dad doesn't really want a lot of testing done. Is this reasonable?
Brief Answer:
it depends
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
AST 46 is not so concerning but besides the levels of the enzyme, the symptoms (if any) are important. If your father had no symptoms then this is probably of muscular origin and it's very low to be concerning. The data are not enough to decide that though.
The causes may include:
- liver damage (but an elevated ALT is also required)
- passage of stones or other material through the common bile duct (usually with dark brown urine, jaundice and pain)
- muscular damage (either in the heart or the rest of the muscles): heart damage is commonly associated with chest pain or discomfort. The rest of the muscles can be involved because of excessive exercising (or unusual exercise for the involved individual). Sometimes the muscles may ache. Intramuscular injections cause mild elevations as well.
- other less common causes (like kidney or brain damage, associated with relevant symptoms).
So in conclusion if your father had no symptoms, the most likely cause is muscle exertion. When the enzymes are elevated, the doctor may ask for a repeat test a few days later, unless the cause is obvious.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
it depends
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
AST 46 is not so concerning but besides the levels of the enzyme, the symptoms (if any) are important. If your father had no symptoms then this is probably of muscular origin and it's very low to be concerning. The data are not enough to decide that though.
The causes may include:
- liver damage (but an elevated ALT is also required)
- passage of stones or other material through the common bile duct (usually with dark brown urine, jaundice and pain)
- muscular damage (either in the heart or the rest of the muscles): heart damage is commonly associated with chest pain or discomfort. The rest of the muscles can be involved because of excessive exercising (or unusual exercise for the involved individual). Sometimes the muscles may ache. Intramuscular injections cause mild elevations as well.
- other less common causes (like kidney or brain damage, associated with relevant symptoms).
So in conclusion if your father had no symptoms, the most likely cause is muscle exertion. When the enzymes are elevated, the doctor may ask for a repeat test a few days later, unless the cause is obvious.
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
No symptoms.
Ok,to wait to get labs repeated?
Ok,to wait to get labs repeated?
Brief Answer:
probably OK
Detailed Answer:
If you could identify a cause from the list then you can wait. Otherwise a repeat test in a few days would be helpful to make sure the value is not rising. In case no cause can be identified, a careful review of his drugs and supplements would be also required.
Kind regards!
probably OK
Detailed Answer:
If you could identify a cause from the list then you can wait. Otherwise a repeat test in a few days would be helpful to make sure the value is not rising. In case no cause can be identified, a careful review of his drugs and supplements would be also required.
Kind regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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