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What Causes Elevated ALT Levels While Breastfeeding?

Posted on Tue, 3 Jan 2017

Question: Hi recentally i went to er because i was having anxiety and heart palipatations. They took blood and everything was normal except my alt was slightly elevated. The er provider did not mention this i found out at a follow up appt. With my doctor a week later. She took more blood for lfts and cbc again everything normal except alt slightly elevated at 40. I was tested for hep a b and c which were all negativd. I just delivered a baby almost 4 months ago and also have a 20 month old who i breastfed in early months of pregnancy. Im 30yr old 5"4 in a half 127 pounds before last pregnancy 110 pounds. Im a vegetarian so dont know if it could be fatty liver. I do eat junk food but dont eat too much used to be underwieght. I use to smoke meth for a year but not everyday so worried about my heart. I did get on nexplanon birth control implant at 6 wk postpartum checkup ky first use of bc. Im just worried about my alt at 40. I dont drink or use over counter medicine or illegal drugs or herbs or supplements. I did drink one beer a few weeks before blood test first beer in over two years. Just wondering what could cause the alt at 40. I do worry often cuz my anxiety about this not getting recheckd for a couple months

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that these levels of ALT are not concerning about any possible liver disorder.

You should know that breastfeeding can cause such increase in ALT. Other possible causes would be certain foods (fatty foods), fatty liver, biliary stones, trauma, etc..

Nevertheless, if you want to exclude a liver disorder, I would recommend performing some otehr liver function tests:

- gama GT
- ALP
- LDH
- total protein
- total bilirubin, direct bilirubin
- an abdominal ultrasound (this would examine your liver anatomy and exclude possible biliary stones or fatty liver).

A periodical repeat of liver function tests would help exclude breastfeeding as a the main cause of this raise in ALT levels.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (23 minutes later)

I am not breadtfeeding anymore i stopped a year ago with my son when i was a couple months pregnant with my daughter. I do not eat well thou or drink much water could that be why the alt is 40. Also if other liver enzymes and cbc was normal also had ekg at hospital when i was having heart palipatations due to anxiety and a chest xray which was normal also. would i have to worry about heart failure? Or would mire then the alt slightly elevated be out of whack? i do have a heart murmer my doc said she isnt worried sbout

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

As I already explained the diet you take could influence in the elevated ALT levels.

I don't think that your symptoms are cardiac related. So, relax and don't worry about it!

As all the other liver function tests have resulted normal, there is nothing to worry about.

Anyway, an abdominal ultrasound would make sense in this regard, to examine your liver anatomy.

But, this finding is not anything concerning. So, relax and try not to think about it.

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar