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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2016

Question: I just had routine bloodwork and am waiting on seeing the results but the nurse mentioned my liver enzymes were high and she "thought" it was my ALT which was at 124. How high above normal range is this and what might be the cause.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal range for ALT is 7-55!

Detailed Answer:
HI and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this elevated ALT value. However, i cast doubts as to whether this is the true value or not. Also, I will suggest that you wait patiently for us to get the results and interpret them together and in context. A single test is the wrong approach to explaining what the problem is and this is why we ask more than a test to have the full picture and not incomplete and misleading numbers. Exercise patience, return to me with the results when they are available and i will personally review and give you thoughtful and helpful interpretations.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (36 minutes later)

Thank you! Question: I drink moderately perhaps very slightly above the recommended guidelines at about 12 drinks in a week. However I drank quite a bit the night before this test (probably a bottle and a half of wine) and took 3 advil to help with the hangover the morning of the test. Could this effect the results? Needless to say, the hangover and test results have already caused me to reduce my alcohol intake.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Calm and be relaxed. We will review the entire report!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Alcohol can cause increased values. However, I will not comment on a verbal result without any other components at this time. Let’s follow up when the full results are available to make meaningful interpretation.

On another note, excess alcohol is bad. Gld you are already doing something about it.

Hope to hear from you when the details are available with the full report. Until then, I wish you well.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 days later)

My results were ALT 124. AST 41. Also I'm a 41 yr. Old male and had a testosterone reading at 9am testing time of 348. I have taken finasteride for 15 years for hair loss prevention and am worried that may be a contributing factor. Would appreciate your insight. The testosterone was my reason for having the test originally and the liver numbers were a XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (31 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your testosterone numbers are good!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Finsateride is extensively metabolized by the liver an could be responsible for these observed liver enzyme changes. This might explain why you have these increased numbers. I will like you to look back at other previous tests after starting this treatment to see if these numbers were normal or not.

My initial plan is to control these results about 2months. If the numbers are still of concern, I will suggest you stop finasteride and see a gastroenterologist for more evaluation.

I wish you well and hope to hear back from you.

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