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Are Mild Elevated Levels Of GGT And ALT Normal In A Patient With A History Of Alcohol Addiction?
Question: I have an:
Anion Gap of 22 mmol/L
ALT 34 u/l
GGT 37 u/l
other markers are normal.
Last year a blood test came back with similar ALT and GGT levels but 2 weeks later they were normal. Four months later they are now elevated again. What could be causing this? I have not drunk alcohol for 5 weeks. I do not drink often but have binged on alcohol occassionally in the past. I am normal weight but was obese when I was 15. I lost 30kgs in 3 months when I was 15. I am now 60kgs. 3 years ago I was admitted to hospital for an infection in my gallbladder and ultrasound showed fluid in my gallbladder and was treated with IV antibiotics. I havent had an issue with it since. I am now 9 weeks pregnant so very anxious about the possibilty of liver damage.
I am normal weight, aged 29 and havent been drinking for a month.
Anion Gap of 22 mmol/L
ALT 34 u/l
GGT 37 u/l
other markers are normal.
Last year a blood test came back with similar ALT and GGT levels but 2 weeks later they were normal. Four months later they are now elevated again. What could be causing this? I have not drunk alcohol for 5 weeks. I do not drink often but have binged on alcohol occassionally in the past. I am normal weight but was obese when I was 15. I lost 30kgs in 3 months when I was 15. I am now 60kgs. 3 years ago I was admitted to hospital for an infection in my gallbladder and ultrasound showed fluid in my gallbladder and was treated with IV antibiotics. I havent had an issue with it since. I am now 9 weeks pregnant so very anxious about the possibilty of liver damage.
I am normal weight, aged 29 and havent been drinking for a month.
Brief Answer:
Minimum three times elevation has any clinical significance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Firstly liver enzyme elevation is significant only when there is a minimum three times elevation of ALT and AST and that too when the patient is symptomatic.
Mild elevation in a patient with a history of alcohol obesity antibiotic use has no significance.
Just calm down, start taking a liver rejenuvator like milk of thistle once daily.
Eat low fat and high carbohydrate food. Repeat tests after 4 weeks and they would be perfectly normal.
At most, an ultrasound could be done for mental satisfaction.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
Minimum three times elevation has any clinical significance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Firstly liver enzyme elevation is significant only when there is a minimum three times elevation of ALT and AST and that too when the patient is symptomatic.
Mild elevation in a patient with a history of alcohol obesity antibiotic use has no significance.
Just calm down, start taking a liver rejenuvator like milk of thistle once daily.
Eat low fat and high carbohydrate food. Repeat tests after 4 weeks and they would be perfectly normal.
At most, an ultrasound could be done for mental satisfaction.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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