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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could The Low Calorie Diet Be Causing The ALT Increase?

I am 43yo male. 6'5", 254lbs and am on liquid HCG diet (500 cal/day) to lose weight. My ALT went from an elevated result of 134 (drawn while not on diet and a social drinker) to 244 (on diet, so obviously no alcohol). Could the low cal diet be causing the ALT increase? If so, should I just increase my caloric intake?
Mon, 13 Apr 2015
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
Yes. The HCG diet may cause someone with elevated liver enzymes when they begin the diet to go totally out of control with their liver on it. Sometimes since the diet is also prone to encourage gallbladder disease, a stone may get lodged in the duct and then you can either develop pancreatic or liver problems from that. I suggest you lose weight as a safer rate sticking around 1500 calories and no lower. You could also due an intermediate diet - two days eat 1500 and two days eat 1800. You are very tall and can stand to eat more calories than most and still lose weight quickly if no alcohol calories. And, exercise young man! Strength and cardiovascular. Only permanent lifestyle changes will keep us in shape! Please get off of the HCG diet before it harms your liver even more. K. Shattler, MS,RDN
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Could The Low Calorie Diet Be Causing The ALT Increase?

Yes. The HCG diet may cause someone with elevated liver enzymes when they begin the diet to go totally out of control with their liver on it. Sometimes since the diet is also prone to encourage gallbladder disease, a stone may get lodged in the duct and then you can either develop pancreatic or liver problems from that. I suggest you lose weight as a safer rate sticking around 1500 calories and no lower. You could also due an intermediate diet - two days eat 1500 and two days eat 1800. You are very tall and can stand to eat more calories than most and still lose weight quickly if no alcohol calories. And, exercise young man! Strength and cardiovascular. Only permanent lifestyle changes will keep us in shape! Please get off of the HCG diet before it harms your liver even more. K. Shattler, MS,RDN