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What Causes Elevated ALT And AST Levels?
Question: I had elevated ALT and AST numbers in May of 136 and 90 respectively. In July we tested again and my numbers were 109 and 81. We did an abdominal ultrasound, everything looked fine. I am 5'5" 130 lbs, I only drink on the weekend and then only 1-2 drinks / day if any. I thought it might be taking aleve on an empty stomach in the am before working out. I have stopped taking aleve completely. The one variable I hadn't looked at was a was a heavy diet soda drinker.....4-5 large drinks a day. I have now stopped that completely as well. Could that have been a cause? I've been drinking diet sodas for years. My other question is how long does it take for ALT AST numbers to return to normal. They have never been out of range before......
Brief Answer:
Cut out the Soda and other high sugar & preservative laden foods if you can.
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to health care magic!
I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.
The picture of your LFTs suggest that these are raised, two or three times, which rules out possibility of acute hepatitis as in such case it has to be quite high and may reach to thousands.
If bilirubin is normal that it erases the possibility of obstruction of bile outflow inside or outside the liver.
Now the other possibilities which need to be ruled out were viral causes as first priority, so you should get screened for hepatitis B and C viruses. If these are normal then in normal population fatty liver disease or alcohol is among rest of the common causes.
Since your ultrasound is normal so it is a very satisfactory happening and it may reflect that this derangement of AST and ALT can be reversed as liver is normal structurally.
Kindly refrain from alcohol or beverages using artificial preservatives. Avoid unnecessary medication or pain killer medications over use. Drink plenty of water. Screen for hepatitis B and C. Follow the tests every third month.
It can not be said that when will they come back to normal but normally if offending cause is removed it may take few months for them to return to normal.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.
Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.
Cut out the Soda and other high sugar & preservative laden foods if you can.
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to health care magic!
I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.
The picture of your LFTs suggest that these are raised, two or three times, which rules out possibility of acute hepatitis as in such case it has to be quite high and may reach to thousands.
If bilirubin is normal that it erases the possibility of obstruction of bile outflow inside or outside the liver.
Now the other possibilities which need to be ruled out were viral causes as first priority, so you should get screened for hepatitis B and C viruses. If these are normal then in normal population fatty liver disease or alcohol is among rest of the common causes.
Since your ultrasound is normal so it is a very satisfactory happening and it may reflect that this derangement of AST and ALT can be reversed as liver is normal structurally.
Kindly refrain from alcohol or beverages using artificial preservatives. Avoid unnecessary medication or pain killer medications over use. Drink plenty of water. Screen for hepatitis B and C. Follow the tests every third month.
It can not be said that when will they come back to normal but normally if offending cause is removed it may take few months for them to return to normal.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.
Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hep tests were done as were tests for lead and all were fine. My doc said to get a new panel of tests again in 6 mos. I drink a lot of water and was told that low alcohol use 1-2 drinks on the weekend should not be a cause. Is that accurate?
Brief Answer:
clarification of some queries
Detailed Answer:
Hi! It is good to know that hepatitis B and C have been screened negative.
This amount of alcohol is less likely to cause such levels.
At this point, autoimmune causes need to be ruled out too. Blood tests like the ANA should also have been done. Where they?
Supplements drugs can also be causative in this case, so consider stopping them for a short time if you use any.
But best approach will be to follow the LFTs after three months and ultrasound after 6 months by a skilled radiologist.
clarification of some queries
Detailed Answer:
Hi! It is good to know that hepatitis B and C have been screened negative.
This amount of alcohol is less likely to cause such levels.
At this point, autoimmune causes need to be ruled out too. Blood tests like the ANA should also have been done. Where they?
Supplements drugs can also be causative in this case, so consider stopping them for a short time if you use any.
But best approach will be to follow the LFTs after three months and ultrasound after 6 months by a skilled radiologist.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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