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What Causes Elevated GGT And AST Levels In Blood?
Question: My husband is 68, History of Rectal cancer with neo-adjuvant treatment and surgery with the removal of his spleen, CVA due to Essential Thromobocythemia, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. He is currently on diamicron, metformin, and Hydrea. All tests are normal except for platelets and his GGT which hovers at about 110, AST which hovers about 100 and Lactate Dehydrogenase which also hovers at about 700.
He has had an ultrasound about 3 years ago and it is showed a "sludgey" gall bladder at that time.
States he feels well but those numbers are consistent.
Is this normal?
He also is about5'10" and weighs 200 lbs.
He has had an ultrasound about 3 years ago and it is showed a "sludgey" gall bladder at that time.
States he feels well but those numbers are consistent.
Is this normal?
He also is about5'10" and weighs 200 lbs.
Brief Answer:
Discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
His GGT and AST are mildly elevated and are likely to be due to mild inflammation of the liver. This may occur in people diabetes, gall bladder disease and alcohol consumption. An ultrasonologist may report this as ' fatty' liver.
Lactate dehydrogenase is elevated as he has involvement of liver and thrombocythemia, with hydroxyurea breaking down the cells and releasing the LDH .No action may be required.
He is overweight and reducing weight may help.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
His GGT and AST are mildly elevated and are likely to be due to mild inflammation of the liver. This may occur in people diabetes, gall bladder disease and alcohol consumption. An ultrasonologist may report this as ' fatty' liver.
Lactate dehydrogenase is elevated as he has involvement of liver and thrombocythemia, with hydroxyurea breaking down the cells and releasing the LDH .No action may be required.
He is overweight and reducing weight may help.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have my husband's blood tests here:
Hgb -141
WCC - 6.3
Platelets - 612
RCC - 3.3
Hct - 0.42
MCV - 127
MCH - 43
MCHC - 337
RDW - 15.1
Abs Neutrophils - 3.6
Abs Lymphocytes - 1.6
Abs Monocytes - 1.0
Abs Esinophils - 0.1
Abs Basophils - 0.0
Sodium - 142
Potassium - 6.2
Chloride - 104
Bicarbonate - 28
Anion Gap - 16
Urea - 6.2
Creatinine - 67
eGFR >90
Bilirubin total - 8
Protein - 77
Albumin - 35
Total Globulin - 42
ALP - 57
ALT - 32
GGT - 107
AST - 53
I was also worried about his potassium levels. He will retest on Monday as well so I was just wanting to know if this is OK. He can be hard to get Blood out of as well and was curious if this could have an effect on the sample?
Should I raise the alarm and run him to the hospital?
Thanks
Hgb -141
WCC - 6.3
Platelets - 612
RCC - 3.3
Hct - 0.42
MCV - 127
MCH - 43
MCHC - 337
RDW - 15.1
Abs Neutrophils - 3.6
Abs Lymphocytes - 1.6
Abs Monocytes - 1.0
Abs Esinophils - 0.1
Abs Basophils - 0.0
Sodium - 142
Potassium - 6.2
Chloride - 104
Bicarbonate - 28
Anion Gap - 16
Urea - 6.2
Creatinine - 67
eGFR >90
Bilirubin total - 8
Protein - 77
Albumin - 35
Total Globulin - 42
ALP - 57
ALT - 32
GGT - 107
AST - 53
I was also worried about his potassium levels. He will retest on Monday as well so I was just wanting to know if this is OK. He can be hard to get Blood out of as well and was curious if this could have an effect on the sample?
Should I raise the alarm and run him to the hospital?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Better to get an EKG or repeat the Potassium
Detailed Answer:
The high Potassium value looks a little out of place considering that his kidney function is normal.
Let him avoid all fruits and fruit juices and any supplement containing Potassium. If he is taking any ACEI or ARB, these also should be stopped. If it is possible to get an EKG done, it will reflect whether the Potassium is producing any risk for a heart rhythm disorder.
Better to get an EKG or repeat the Potassium
Detailed Answer:
The high Potassium value looks a little out of place considering that his kidney function is normal.
Let him avoid all fruits and fruit juices and any supplement containing Potassium. If he is taking any ACEI or ARB, these also should be stopped. If it is possible to get an EKG done, it will reflect whether the Potassium is producing any risk for a heart rhythm disorder.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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