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What Does This Blood Report Indicate?
Question: I got my blood test results back today and my AST was 242 and my ALT was 122. My doctor says it has ever been anywhere that high and he redid the test today. I have taken Tricor for triglycerides for about 5 years and it hasn't been a problem, but he thinks it was probably a result of the meds. All other blood tests for the liver are in normal range (albumin, Bilirubin, protein). He said I should get things checked very 6 months but I hadn't been back in a year. I doubt I have hepatitis B or C because I was immunized for B and was checked for C in the not too distance past. I don't drink. I did visit a not particularly sanitary place in China this spring which had me a little worried at the time, so maybe I could have been exposed to A? Anyways, should I be worried that my liver is in trouble? I suppose I will hear back from the doctor soon but I am still anxious.
Brief Answer:
Be calm and let’s get the results back!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
I understand your concerns and of course I will address them.
1. Drugs for lowering blood lipids are well known to cause increased liver enzymes. Am therefore not surprised that you have this elevated liver enzymes while on it.
2. Hepatitis A doesn’t cause chronic liver disease. This elevated enzyme cannot be caused by it. No need being scared about the China visit and sanitation.
3. Vaccinated against HepB means all is well and a negative test for HepC is reassuring. NO need for further worries.
4. No alcohols also rule out other common causes related to lifestyle.
In all, drugs most likely cause. Let’s be calm and see the reports of this additional testing. Measures would definitely be taken to address this once the elevated enzymes are confirmed.
I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Be calm and let’s get the results back!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
I understand your concerns and of course I will address them.
1. Drugs for lowering blood lipids are well known to cause increased liver enzymes. Am therefore not surprised that you have this elevated liver enzymes while on it.
2. Hepatitis A doesn’t cause chronic liver disease. This elevated enzyme cannot be caused by it. No need being scared about the China visit and sanitation.
3. Vaccinated against HepB means all is well and a negative test for HepC is reassuring. NO need for further worries.
4. No alcohols also rule out other common causes related to lifestyle.
In all, drugs most likely cause. Let’s be calm and see the reports of this additional testing. Measures would definitely be taken to address this once the elevated enzymes are confirmed.
I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I know I should just wait for the doctor and I am, but I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to this kind of thing (plus I don't see why the numbers would change in just one week).... If its just the meds doing this (all of the sudden after about 5 years of taking them) and the meds are changed, can numbers like that go back to normal - in other words, is damage like that often permanent or reversible? The doctor was talking about possibly doing things like a liver imaging scan and stuff like that, so it left me thinking I might be in a bit of trouble here. By the way - I have restarted lifting weights and running 5k's (I ran one two days prior to the test and it was rough). Can changes like that any temporary influence on AST levels because I know they are found in other muscle tissues. Thanks again!
Brief Answer:
Changes are often reversible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Repeats is to make sure that this is a real observed increase and not a mere laboratory reporting error.
2. Changes are reversible once the medications are stopped. Normally, your liver enzymes are often monitored after starting treatment with anti lipid agents to make sure nothing is going wrong.
3. Sports wouldn’t influence the numbers. It should rather make them better. Both enzymes being increased make a liver origin more likely than any other possible cause.
I wish you well and happy to address further worries if any.
Changes are often reversible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Repeats is to make sure that this is a real observed increase and not a mere laboratory reporting error.
2. Changes are reversible once the medications are stopped. Normally, your liver enzymes are often monitored after starting treatment with anti lipid agents to make sure nothing is going wrong.
3. Sports wouldn’t influence the numbers. It should rather make them better. Both enzymes being increased make a liver origin more likely than any other possible cause.
I wish you well and happy to address further worries if any.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again. I appreciate it!
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are welcome and always feel free getting to me if need be.
I wish you well.
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are welcome and always feel free getting to me if need be.
I wish you well.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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