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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes?
Hi. I recently had a blood draw, and the results came back normal - except for slightly elevated AST liver enzymes. AST - 45, ALT - 28 and Alkaline Phosphatase - 79. Other potentially significant results were: Protein Serum - 7.0; Albumin - 4.7; Bilirubin - 0.3
I'm not overweight (my LDL is 50, HDL is 148). I walk 3 miles daily. I do drink alcohol, but not daily, nor at excessive levels. I eat exceptionally healthy food.
Should I be concerned? Is it possible to drink a normal amount and still have it cause significant damage? Should I request an ultrasound. I had a blood draw two years ago and everything was normal. I've never had anything out of range before.
I am 45 yrs. old. Female.
I'm not overweight (my LDL is 50, HDL is 148). I walk 3 miles daily. I do drink alcohol, but not daily, nor at excessive levels. I eat exceptionally healthy food.
Should I be concerned? Is it possible to drink a normal amount and still have it cause significant damage? Should I request an ultrasound. I had a blood draw two years ago and everything was normal. I've never had anything out of range before.
I am 45 yrs. old. Female.
Wed, 7 Jun 2017
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
• SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) are liver enzymes and normal level is 10-40 IU/L and indicates hepatocellular damage or injury to the liver, when the liver is damaged, SGPT leaks out of the cells and into the blood.
• Although raised SGPT and SGOT may be observed in other non-hepatic diseases like acute myocardial infarction or skeletal muscle disorders, but SGPT is more specific in hepatocellular disorders.
• SGPT thus could be elevated in liver conditions like viral hepatitis, toxin or drug-induced hepatic injury as such ultrasound can be asked for any liver injury.
First measure is to abstain from alcohol (like beer) which is a hepatotoxic agent. Vitamin D helps prevent liver damage thus green leafy vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, dairy products, apple, and orange are good sources. Eat more organic foods which are rich in antioxidants and thus allow liver to detoxify itself. Avoid food rich in fat or salt.
SGPT is not a confirmation of damage to the liver but along with other liver function test it should be used to verify whether a person really suffers from damage to the liver or not. Take hepatoprotective drugs like: Liv.52 and Inositol.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
• SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) are liver enzymes and normal level is 10-40 IU/L and indicates hepatocellular damage or injury to the liver, when the liver is damaged, SGPT leaks out of the cells and into the blood.
• Although raised SGPT and SGOT may be observed in other non-hepatic diseases like acute myocardial infarction or skeletal muscle disorders, but SGPT is more specific in hepatocellular disorders.
• SGPT thus could be elevated in liver conditions like viral hepatitis, toxin or drug-induced hepatic injury as such ultrasound can be asked for any liver injury.
First measure is to abstain from alcohol (like beer) which is a hepatotoxic agent. Vitamin D helps prevent liver damage thus green leafy vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, dairy products, apple, and orange are good sources. Eat more organic foods which are rich in antioxidants and thus allow liver to detoxify itself. Avoid food rich in fat or salt.
SGPT is not a confirmation of damage to the liver but along with other liver function test it should be used to verify whether a person really suffers from damage to the liver or not. Take hepatoprotective drugs like: Liv.52 and Inositol.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
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