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Test Showed High AST And ALT Levels. What Should Be Done?
Question: I just got my AST and ALT test results and they are a litlle high 52 and 70 respectively. What does this mean?
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Though different labs may have slightly different normal ranges, in general the range of normal AST is 5 to 40 and for ALT - 7 to 56.
As you stated, your results are slightly above the normal
The possible causes would be (1) fatty liver- fatty liver is most commonly attributed to early changes from alcohol or called NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease).NAFLD is related to increased weight and diet resulting in fatty changes in the liver. This is rapidly becoming the most common reason for minor changes in liver function tests.
It is treated by weight loss, if necessary, dietary changes and an increase in physical activity. NAFLD can progress to more serious liver disease if left untreated.
(2) alcohol can also cause more changes in liver outside of fatty liver that can result in abnormal results
(3) infections- infections of the liver can cause abnormal result. In those cases, there are usually other symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain
(4)medications - mediations such as statins can cause abnormal liver function tests
Determining the exact cause would depend on the results of history and examination.
Hope this helps to explain the results, feel free to ask any other questions
Though different labs may have slightly different normal ranges, in general the range of normal AST is 5 to 40 and for ALT - 7 to 56.
As you stated, your results are slightly above the normal
The possible causes would be (1) fatty liver- fatty liver is most commonly attributed to early changes from alcohol or called NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease).NAFLD is related to increased weight and diet resulting in fatty changes in the liver. This is rapidly becoming the most common reason for minor changes in liver function tests.
It is treated by weight loss, if necessary, dietary changes and an increase in physical activity. NAFLD can progress to more serious liver disease if left untreated.
(2) alcohol can also cause more changes in liver outside of fatty liver that can result in abnormal results
(3) infections- infections of the liver can cause abnormal result. In those cases, there are usually other symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain
(4)medications - mediations such as statins can cause abnormal liver function tests
Determining the exact cause would depend on the results of history and examination.
Hope this helps to explain the results, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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