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Is Slightly Elevated ALT Value A Serious Concern?
Question: My last lab work, shows that my ALT (SGPT) is 86.5. is that bad?
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Interpreting most lab tests needs to be done in the context of your history and symptoms, past lab results for this particular test, and in the case of liver enzymes such as ALT, how it compares with the other liver enzymes.
Your ALT is mildly elevated. It may be elevated from medications such as Tylenol or naproxen, alcohol use, or a recent viral stomach "flu" (gastroenteritis). There are other causes too.
Can you tell me the reason it was checked and what symptoms you are having (if any)? Also, were other liver tests checked (AST, Alkaline Phophatase, GGT, Bilirubin) and how were they?
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Interpreting most lab tests needs to be done in the context of your history and symptoms, past lab results for this particular test, and in the case of liver enzymes such as ALT, how it compares with the other liver enzymes.
Your ALT is mildly elevated. It may be elevated from medications such as Tylenol or naproxen, alcohol use, or a recent viral stomach "flu" (gastroenteritis). There are other causes too.
Can you tell me the reason it was checked and what symptoms you are having (if any)? Also, were other liver tests checked (AST, Alkaline Phophatase, GGT, Bilirubin) and how were they?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I was having abdominal pain and bloating. I am also overweight and have an BMI of 29. Last November, my doctor told me to try to lose weight because my glucose was elevated too, 111.3.
Brief Answer:
Elevated ALT
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I looked at the two uploads you sent, of your labs - thank you.
Your other liver enzyme parameters are normal. Your ALT is mildly elevated, and given that it is higher than the AST, it indicates the problem is likely to be your liver is a bit unhappy. Given that your GGT is normal, it doesn't look like the problem is related to alcohol consumption.
Likely it represents some mild inflammation related to fatty liver changes. I know that name is not the best! It means that fat is being deposited in the liver cells, which causes inflammation. To diagnose it, an ultrasound would be needed. But if you lose weight and your ALT comes down, that won't be necessary. Fatty liver is typically asymptomatic unless severe or long term with persistent liver inflammation.
I see you wrote that you were having abdominal pain and bloating in the past tense (and that your doctor checked amylase and lipase to see how your pancreas was doing) so I'll assume the abdominal symptoms have resolved. If it was a passing gastroenteritis, that can temporarily increase liver enzymes too.
What I recommend, if your abdominal symptoms have resolved, is just rechecking your ALT in 6-8 weeks. If you can lose weight (gradually), that will help both your sugar metabolism and liver. And elevated sugars can make the liver unhappy too.
Losing weight is not easy, but any small changes are helpful. I generally recommend staring by increasing vegetables, which will help fill you up and be good for you, while avoiding simple carbohydrates such as things made with white flour, fruit drinks, sweets and sodas.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Elevated ALT
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I looked at the two uploads you sent, of your labs - thank you.
Your other liver enzyme parameters are normal. Your ALT is mildly elevated, and given that it is higher than the AST, it indicates the problem is likely to be your liver is a bit unhappy. Given that your GGT is normal, it doesn't look like the problem is related to alcohol consumption.
Likely it represents some mild inflammation related to fatty liver changes. I know that name is not the best! It means that fat is being deposited in the liver cells, which causes inflammation. To diagnose it, an ultrasound would be needed. But if you lose weight and your ALT comes down, that won't be necessary. Fatty liver is typically asymptomatic unless severe or long term with persistent liver inflammation.
I see you wrote that you were having abdominal pain and bloating in the past tense (and that your doctor checked amylase and lipase to see how your pancreas was doing) so I'll assume the abdominal symptoms have resolved. If it was a passing gastroenteritis, that can temporarily increase liver enzymes too.
What I recommend, if your abdominal symptoms have resolved, is just rechecking your ALT in 6-8 weeks. If you can lose weight (gradually), that will help both your sugar metabolism and liver. And elevated sugars can make the liver unhappy too.
Losing weight is not easy, but any small changes are helpful. I generally recommend staring by increasing vegetables, which will help fill you up and be good for you, while avoiding simple carbohydrates such as things made with white flour, fruit drinks, sweets and sodas.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much and I will do the recommendation of loosing weight.
regards
regards
Brief Answer:
Have a good night!
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome, and good luck to you.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Have a good night!
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome, and good luck to you.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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