Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I have been a heavy drinker and recently had a liver function test which showed an ALT level of 186. I didn t drink for 6 weeks but recently had a big binge for a week. I stopped drinking 15 days ago but since then I have had quite bad pain in my liver area which seems to be getting worse. I also noticed today that I have had poor digestion. Do you think I have any major liver damage? Should I go to A&E to get checked out?
Hi, Thanks for choosing HCM. I understand your concern. ALT is 'alanine trasaminase' enzyme, which is one of the enzyme estimated as part of assessing liver function. ALT levels of 186 U/L is quite high (Normal: 5 to 35 U/L) and is definitely indicative of liver dysfunction. Due to alcohol intake you might be having alcoholic hepatitis and going in for fatty liver. You need to get an ultrasound scan of abdomen done to know what could be underlying damage. Symptoms you are having now is just an early stage of liver damage. If you don't stop alcohol intake, you will land up with complications like cirrhosis of liver and liver failure. Kindly get the investigations worked up and consult Physician in this regard for appropriate management. Hope the information provided is clear. All the best.
I find this answer helpful
You found this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
We use cookies in order to offer you most relevant experience and using this website you acknowledge that you have already read and understood our
Privacy Policy
What Does An ALT Level Of 186 Indicate?
Hi, Thanks for choosing HCM. I understand your concern. ALT is alanine trasaminase enzyme, which is one of the enzyme estimated as part of assessing liver function. ALT levels of 186 U/L is quite high (Normal: 5 to 35 U/L) and is definitely indicative of liver dysfunction. Due to alcohol intake you might be having alcoholic hepatitis and going in for fatty liver. You need to get an ultrasound scan of abdomen done to know what could be underlying damage. Symptoms you are having now is just an early stage of liver damage. If you don t stop alcohol intake, you will land up with complications like cirrhosis of liver and liver failure. Kindly get the investigations worked up and consult Physician in this regard for appropriate management. Hope the information provided is clear. All the best.