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What Causes Elevated AST Level?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Apr 2014
Question: I had an AST and ALT test done. My #'s were 308 and 41, what can I do? I haven't had a drink in 1 1/2 years because i'm an alcoholic. My urine is light yellow. i've been doing coffee enemas 3 or 4 times a day.
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Answered by Dr. Rakesh Karanwal (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Possibility of Alcoholic Liver Disease +nt Detailed Answer: Hi Lady, Thanks for your query. If the values of AST and ALT are correct (and not interchanged erroneously), the chances of having developed alcoholic liver disease cannot be ruled out. Incidentally, a normal level of ALT - a more specific enzyme present only in liver cells- rules out significant liver damage. On the other hand, an elevated AST level can be due to either, destruction of liver cells or, muscles and heart. It is generally believed that consumption of about 100ml of alcohol/day for 5years or more, tends to cause moderate/severe alcoholic liver disease which can be reversible or irreversible (cirrhosis). This is irrespective of whether you had given up alcohol 1 1/2 years ago. What matters is the duration of alcoholism and the quantity of alcohol consumed daily. You should therefore, get Serum Bilirubin level, ultrasound of the hepatic system and- if required- CECT Scan of the upper abdomen to accurately assess the status of liver. Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with me; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised. Hope I have addressed your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any. Fond regards and have a nice day, Col (Dr.) Rakesh Karanwal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Karanwal (42 minutes later)
thanks for the information. fyi, i was an alcoholic for approx 2 years and before that i rarely drank. during my drinking phase i drank ALOT! 2 or 3 bottles of wine a day and/or 3/4 of a bottle of vodka (or anything else i had). what can i do to reverse the damage?ps. are there any vitamins or rituals i should be doing? what do u think of coffee enemas? sorry, one more question. are those #'s dangerously high or just high? do i require immediate medical attention?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rakesh Karanwal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer: There is NO CAUSE of immediate concern Detailed Answer: Well dear, Just relax : there is nothing serious at this moment so as to warrant immediate medical attention. AST values are only mildly raised, but of no immediate concern. It is just a mild derangement of liver functions. Discuss my opinion with your doctor, who - I am certain- will order for ultrasound and CT scan of the Biliary system. The exact status of the liver will be known from these tests. I personally am of the opinion that the changes in the liver will revert back to normal over a period of time, as you had already given up alcohol long back. A well-balanced diet; multi-vitamin supplements is all that is required for recovery of liver functions. Coffee enemas are of no value. So, stop them forthwith. Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 1357 Questions

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What Causes Elevated AST Level?

Brief Answer: Possibility of Alcoholic Liver Disease +nt Detailed Answer: Hi Lady, Thanks for your query. If the values of AST and ALT are correct (and not interchanged erroneously), the chances of having developed alcoholic liver disease cannot be ruled out. Incidentally, a normal level of ALT - a more specific enzyme present only in liver cells- rules out significant liver damage. On the other hand, an elevated AST level can be due to either, destruction of liver cells or, muscles and heart. It is generally believed that consumption of about 100ml of alcohol/day for 5years or more, tends to cause moderate/severe alcoholic liver disease which can be reversible or irreversible (cirrhosis). This is irrespective of whether you had given up alcohol 1 1/2 years ago. What matters is the duration of alcoholism and the quantity of alcohol consumed daily. You should therefore, get Serum Bilirubin level, ultrasound of the hepatic system and- if required- CECT Scan of the upper abdomen to accurately assess the status of liver. Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with me; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised. Hope I have addressed your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any. Fond regards and have a nice day, Col (Dr.) Rakesh Karanwal