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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes?

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Posted on Wed, 26 Nov 2014
Question: Hello,
I had done a LFT test on 26th September 2014. My SGPT then was 81 and SGOT 34. I consulted a doctor and she asked me to stop drinking and take Liv.52 for a months time. I did my test again yesterday and SGPT was 94 and SGOT was 36. I did not stop drinking and I am a bit addicted to it. But I guess I will have to stop it now. I do not drink everyday. I usually have 2-3 beers (650ml bottles) every couple of days. Also 3 years back I had high SGPT of around 77 but back then doctors told it was due to eating a lot of oily & junk road side food. I did not use to drink then. I had stopped outside food then and SGPT had come down to 45 within 3-4 months. Can you please help me with a mild medicine so I could recover from this soon? Also how serious is high SGPT? Also SGOT near border levels is worrisome? Sorry for too many questions. I am a bit worried.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please minimize alcohol intake.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
The results of your liver function tests are not unusual if you are still taking alcohol regularly. You cannot take a medicine and at the same time carry on with regular alcohol intake and expect your liver function to get back to normal. Also drinking is frequently associated with intake of oily foods and this further causes raise in SGPT and SGOT levels.

If you do not control your drinking right now as you are still getting addicted to it, your liver function will further go down. I have worked with an alcohol deaddiction centre and in my opinion you need to minimize alcohol intake. If there is risk of addiction then you may have to stop alcohol completely.

I also suggest you do an ultrasound scan abdomen if not done earlier to assess your liver and gall bladder. If you stop regular drinking, the liver enzymes will return to normal in 3 to 6 months time. You can continue taking liv52 for another month.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (9 hours later)
Hello,
Thank you for the reply. I shall do the tests again in first week of December and along with it also get the ultrasound done. I had got done a tattoo on my arm last year in October. Recently the tattoo started itching and it it bumps up a bit. I feel this happens whenever SGPT goes high. Can there be a connection here? It remains normal for quite some time and whenever I have outside food (oily), within 2-3 days it starts itching and bumps up. This goes away after 2-3 days.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please get serum bilirubin levels tested.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Good to hear that you have decided to get an ultrasound scan and other tests done in December.

For the itching, I would certainly ask you to also get bilirubin levels done. This bilirubin, when elevated can cause jaundice and itching all over the body. It is important to know if you are prone to raised bilirubin levels. Please think clearly if the itching is every where in relation to raised SGPT or only in the tattoo area.

Other that bilirubin levels, I think the tattoo is unlikely to be a concern.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)
Hi. In september I did complete LFT test and bilirubin levels were low. Itching is only in tattor area. I did go to a dermatologist and she gave 2-3 creams to apply but the issue occurs again whenever I eat oily food.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Itching tattoo not related to SGPT levels.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

I do not consider your itching in tattoo area to be related to raised SGPT levels and also your bilirubin is normal. It can be a hypersensitivity reaction with the ink used and should subside with application of creams.

It is possible that oily food cooked outside might contain allergy causing substances. I would like to know if this happens even when you eat food oily cooked at home.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (13 hours later)
Hi. no, this does not happen when I eat oily food at home. possibly outside they re-heat the same oil which causes the issue. thanks for the help. also can you please suggest some tablet which could help bring down SGPT levels in few months?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please stop alcohol and outside foods.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

They use palmolein oil which can cause itching and allergy in peole and you must avoid it.

There is a tablet by name Udiliv but it is given only if the bilirubin levels are also higher.

Please control alcohol intake and oily foods and that will bring SGPT levels to normal in 3 - 6 months.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 minutes later)
Thanks a lot. it was very nice interacting with you. I will get back to you again once I do the tests again in near term. Good night.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for writing back with an update.

I am happy to be replying to your query.

Please do write back in future with your reports and quote query Id 147604 and please mention my name Dr.Vivek Chail and the query will be directed to me. I will reply as early possible.

Good night.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 minute later)
Sure..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks.

Good night.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes?

Brief Answer: Please minimize alcohol intake. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. The results of your liver function tests are not unusual if you are still taking alcohol regularly. You cannot take a medicine and at the same time carry on with regular alcohol intake and expect your liver function to get back to normal. Also drinking is frequently associated with intake of oily foods and this further causes raise in SGPT and SGOT levels. If you do not control your drinking right now as you are still getting addicted to it, your liver function will further go down. I have worked with an alcohol deaddiction centre and in my opinion you need to minimize alcohol intake. If there is risk of addiction then you may have to stop alcohol completely. I also suggest you do an ultrasound scan abdomen if not done earlier to assess your liver and gall bladder. If you stop regular drinking, the liver enzymes will return to normal in 3 to 6 months time. You can continue taking liv52 for another month. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek