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Have Elevated ALT Level. Is This Due To Diet? Should I Be Worried?
Question: My AST level went from normal 6 mos. ago to 155 and my ALT level went to 346. My bilirubin total is 1.6. Is it common to see such drastic spikes? I don't have any pain and feel fine. My father had pancreatic cancer. I am female, 150lbs...not diabetic...and otherwise quite healthy. I thought it might be my diet and asked for a 6 week delay in seeing a specialist. My doctor was not thrilled, but agreed to 6 weeks. Am I wasting valuable time?
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It is primarily the ALT which is more raised in your case. The commonest cause of the same in your age group is due to fat deposition in the liver called a fatty liver. This can happen both due to the consumption of alcohol as well as sedentary lifestyle. My first suggestion is to get an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done to rule out fatty liver.
The serum ALT (SGPT) level usually is greater than the AST level in non-alcoholic variant of fatty liver. XXXXXXX (non alcoholic steatohepatitis/ fatty liver) is basically excess fat deposition in the liver along with inflammation. It is usually suspected when the liver enzymes, ALT & AST are raised in the blood and there are no reasons to explain this rise. XXXXXXX most often occurs in people who are in their middle ages and are overweight/obese.
If fatty liver is found, then you need to restrict your alcohol intake (if you are taking any) and do some regular exercise like brisk walking for 45 min-1 hour daily. Ursodeoxychiloic acid (UDCA) is supposed to help in reducing the fatty liver.
I suggest you to consult your physician and get it prescribed.
The readings that you have are not XXXXXXX and are likely to improve with proper treatment in 6 weeks. You can delay seeing a gastroenterologist till then.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
It is primarily the ALT which is more raised in your case. The commonest cause of the same in your age group is due to fat deposition in the liver called a fatty liver. This can happen both due to the consumption of alcohol as well as sedentary lifestyle. My first suggestion is to get an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done to rule out fatty liver.
The serum ALT (SGPT) level usually is greater than the AST level in non-alcoholic variant of fatty liver. XXXXXXX (non alcoholic steatohepatitis/ fatty liver) is basically excess fat deposition in the liver along with inflammation. It is usually suspected when the liver enzymes, ALT & AST are raised in the blood and there are no reasons to explain this rise. XXXXXXX most often occurs in people who are in their middle ages and are overweight/obese.
If fatty liver is found, then you need to restrict your alcohol intake (if you are taking any) and do some regular exercise like brisk walking for 45 min-1 hour daily. Ursodeoxychiloic acid (UDCA) is supposed to help in reducing the fatty liver.
I suggest you to consult your physician and get it prescribed.
The readings that you have are not XXXXXXX and are likely to improve with proper treatment in 6 weeks. You can delay seeing a gastroenterologist till then.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response.
My question is will a low fat, low carb diet help restore the liver? I have also read about hydrating with just plain water...not coffee or cokes. I have never been just a plain water drinker...maybe I need to start.
I must say that for at least two months prior to Christmas, I was eating very high fat, high carb foods every day. Could this have contributed to the liver spikes 6 weeks later?
Thank you for your response...
My question is will a low fat, low carb diet help restore the liver? I have also read about hydrating with just plain water...not coffee or cokes. I have never been just a plain water drinker...maybe I need to start.
I must say that for at least two months prior to Christmas, I was eating very high fat, high carb foods every day. Could this have contributed to the liver spikes 6 weeks later?
Thank you for your response...
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Taking a low fat, low carbohydrate and salt restricted diet will help in recovering. Losing a few pounds will also help. This rise can happen due to a high fat diet that you took 6 weeks ago. Taking plenty of plain water will also help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards
Thanks for writing again.
Taking a low fat, low carbohydrate and salt restricted diet will help in recovering. Losing a few pounds will also help. This rise can happen due to a high fat diet that you took 6 weeks ago. Taking plenty of plain water will also help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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