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What Do ALT Level Of 79 And AST Level Of 58 Suggest?

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Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015
Question: Recently had annual exam and ALT was 79 and AST 58. These #'s have never been above normal, although they were borderline back in October 2014, 46 and 38 respectively. My PCP wants me to come back later this week for a repeat of the tests. My father passed away last November and I know I have been drinking more than usual trying to deal with stress of taking care of my mother. I have been seeing a psychologist to help me better deal with the stress. If I quit drinking completely in general how long does it take for ALT and AST numbers to return to more normal levels.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can take 2 to 6 months

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Normal AST 10 to 40 , ALT 7 to 56 though these ranges can vary slightly from one lab to the next.

Alcohol can cause both temporary and permanent damage to the liver.

Ceasing alcohol intake would prevent any further damage and may cause some (but in many cases not complete) decrease in liver enzymes.
Because your results are only slightly above the norm, any decrease would push them almost to normal.
This can take 2 to 6 months.

Changes in liver enzymes can also occur due to non alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is the build up of fat in the liver cause by diet/obesity/diabetes/high cholesterol.
Change in diet, exercise and the use of statins help with this.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Do ALT Level Of 79 And AST Level Of 58 Suggest?

Brief Answer: can take 2 to 6 months Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Normal AST 10 to 40 , ALT 7 to 56 though these ranges can vary slightly from one lab to the next. Alcohol can cause both temporary and permanent damage to the liver. Ceasing alcohol intake would prevent any further damage and may cause some (but in many cases not complete) decrease in liver enzymes. Because your results are only slightly above the norm, any decrease would push them almost to normal. This can take 2 to 6 months. Changes in liver enzymes can also occur due to non alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is the build up of fat in the liver cause by diet/obesity/diabetes/high cholesterol. Change in diet, exercise and the use of statins help with this. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions