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What Do The Following Blood Test Results Indicate?
Question: 2 years ago I went to my GP with upper right pain under my ribs and he sent me for an ultrasound in that general area. All was fine except it was noted I had a 'mild fatty liver'. On looking at my history and what alcohol I consume etc it was concluded I had a 'mild, non-alcoholic fatty liver'. No one seemed too concerned about it as my ALT level on the blood test was 24. 1 year ago the blood test was repeated and the ALT level was 20. All good I thought. No one seemed too concerned. I have again started to have abdominal pain and went to my GP last week. I was sent to have a routine blood test and I had to see my GP due to an 'abnormal' result. I accessed my test result online and realise it is due to elevated above the normal range ALT. Everything else on the blood work for liver function was ok and in range. The result is below for the liver function test in my blood work:
Liver function tests
Serum total protein level 71 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]
Serum albumin level 45 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]
Serum globulin level 26 g/L [20.0 - 35.0]
Serum alkaline phosphatase level 46 u/L [30.0 - 130.0]
Serum total bilirubin level 8 umol/L [0.0 - 21.0]
Serum alanine aminotransferase level 42 u/L [0.0 - 35.0]
Above high reference limit
So the ALT is above normal range. I am now worried as I didn't really make any changes as it was dismissed at the time and I'm now worried I have a lot more damage than the previous fatty liver diagnosis a couple of years ago.
I drink alcohol - not that often, maybe once a month or so but it will be a bit of a binge when I do (night out, friends over etc or a party)
I have takeaways perhaps twice a month, generally eat healthy(ish) and cook from scratch but like a sweet treat in the evening. I have started to do a long walk once or twice a week but had not much time for exercise until the end of 2016. I am not too overweight, but do carry weight in my middle.
I guess I need to wait to hear what the GP said and I am sure they will say cut out alcohol and fat etc. If I'm honest the thought of never drinking alcohol again is a bit of a blow for me.
I wondered if anyone knew about ALT levels and if mine as a female of 38 at a level of 42 u/L is high and indicates more damage over the diagnosis of mild fatty liver. It is alarming that it has doubled in the last 12 months.
Thanks for reading this far, a bit worried! I am in the UK by the way so not sure if the levels measured differ to the US. I am having a liver ultrasound in a couple of days but thinking maybe paying for a private Fibroscan might be better for me.
Liver function tests
Serum total protein level 71 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]
Serum albumin level 45 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]
Serum globulin level 26 g/L [20.0 - 35.0]
Serum alkaline phosphatase level 46 u/L [30.0 - 130.0]
Serum total bilirubin level 8 umol/L [0.0 - 21.0]
Serum alanine aminotransferase level 42 u/L [0.0 - 35.0]
Above high reference limit
So the ALT is above normal range. I am now worried as I didn't really make any changes as it was dismissed at the time and I'm now worried I have a lot more damage than the previous fatty liver diagnosis a couple of years ago.
I drink alcohol - not that often, maybe once a month or so but it will be a bit of a binge when I do (night out, friends over etc or a party)
I have takeaways perhaps twice a month, generally eat healthy(ish) and cook from scratch but like a sweet treat in the evening. I have started to do a long walk once or twice a week but had not much time for exercise until the end of 2016. I am not too overweight, but do carry weight in my middle.
I guess I need to wait to hear what the GP said and I am sure they will say cut out alcohol and fat etc. If I'm honest the thought of never drinking alcohol again is a bit of a blow for me.
I wondered if anyone knew about ALT levels and if mine as a female of 38 at a level of 42 u/L is high and indicates more damage over the diagnosis of mild fatty liver. It is alarming that it has doubled in the last 12 months.
Thanks for reading this far, a bit worried! I am in the UK by the way so not sure if the levels measured differ to the US. I am having a liver ultrasound in a couple of days but thinking maybe paying for a private Fibroscan might be better for me.
Brief Answer:
please follow below eplanations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your medical reports and I understand your concerns.
My answer is as follows:
Normal range of ALT is 7 to 56 units per liter,depending from the kits that different laboratories use. (In your case, its range is 0.0 - 35.0 ).
I understand that a level of 42 UI/Liter concerns you a lot, but from the side view of a doctor,it is not much a problem. For liver enzymes,to get back to normal,we need usually 30 days to 60 or sometimes even more. During these days,the levels of ALT will be always altered depending from a lot of factors,like food,medicine, alcohol,stress ect.
In a patient with mild non-alcoholic fatty liver,there is the possibility that some liver cells get destroyed faster, and that's why the ALT levels are slightly higher than normal range. BUT even taking some medicine like paracetamol,ibuprofen, or some types of antibiotics,stress....can alter ALT.
If suggest you wait for the ultrasound of your liver to see the results. I don't think that there will be any problem with your liver.
Since you are asking for my opinion,i will respond the same way that i would respond if I was your personal caring doctor. Even if the results of your ultrasound of the liver are normal and if you have concerns, it is worth having a Fibroscan as the results might shift your lifestyle choices and/or require further investigation.... or show nothing significant at all.
If you have any other question,feel free to ask me.
Dr.Endri Katro
please follow below eplanations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your medical reports and I understand your concerns.
My answer is as follows:
Normal range of ALT is 7 to 56 units per liter,depending from the kits that different laboratories use. (In your case, its range is 0.0 - 35.0 ).
I understand that a level of 42 UI/Liter concerns you a lot, but from the side view of a doctor,it is not much a problem. For liver enzymes,to get back to normal,we need usually 30 days to 60 or sometimes even more. During these days,the levels of ALT will be always altered depending from a lot of factors,like food,medicine, alcohol,stress ect.
In a patient with mild non-alcoholic fatty liver,there is the possibility that some liver cells get destroyed faster, and that's why the ALT levels are slightly higher than normal range. BUT even taking some medicine like paracetamol,ibuprofen, or some types of antibiotics,stress....can alter ALT.
If suggest you wait for the ultrasound of your liver to see the results. I don't think that there will be any problem with your liver.
Since you are asking for my opinion,i will respond the same way that i would respond if I was your personal caring doctor. Even if the results of your ultrasound of the liver are normal and if you have concerns, it is worth having a Fibroscan as the results might shift your lifestyle choices and/or require further investigation.... or show nothing significant at all.
If you have any other question,feel free to ask me.
Dr.Endri Katro
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi,
Thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply - much appreciated.
I had my ultrasound and the only thing of note according to the professional carrying it out was that my right ovary is slightly enlarged and will require a follow up in 3 months time (he said it may be down to my monthly cycle as I am due on my period next week)
Regarding my liver, he said in his professional opinion I DO NOT have a diagnosis of a fatty liver. So, either the ultrasound I had 2 years ago the professional was a bit over cautious in diagnosing non-alcoholic fatty liver or I have reversed it.
This is where is is slightly confusing as my ALT level has increased (double) since then from 20u/L to 42u/L. I will have to see my GP again to try and find out why my ALT level has increased and why it has gone over what is the lab 'normal' range.
So I am left a bit confused as it doesn't add up but I am taking the ultrasound result as good news so I will try to stop worrying as it can lead to things such as health anxiety.
Any additional advice on the above would be welcomed.
Thank you.
XXXX
Thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply - much appreciated.
I had my ultrasound and the only thing of note according to the professional carrying it out was that my right ovary is slightly enlarged and will require a follow up in 3 months time (he said it may be down to my monthly cycle as I am due on my period next week)
Regarding my liver, he said in his professional opinion I DO NOT have a diagnosis of a fatty liver. So, either the ultrasound I had 2 years ago the professional was a bit over cautious in diagnosing non-alcoholic fatty liver or I have reversed it.
This is where is is slightly confusing as my ALT level has increased (double) since then from 20u/L to 42u/L. I will have to see my GP again to try and find out why my ALT level has increased and why it has gone over what is the lab 'normal' range.
So I am left a bit confused as it doesn't add up but I am taking the ultrasound result as good news so I will try to stop worrying as it can lead to things such as health anxiety.
Any additional advice on the above would be welcomed.
Thank you.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I am happy for the results of the ultrasound about your liver. Something to not be worried any more.
Now according to your ALT levels from 20 to 42 we can't say that it has doubled because each day the levels of the enzymes are diferent in the normal range. For that reason there is a normal range. for example if you do a test today and another tomorroe the enzymes will be diferent. Lower or higher but that doesn't mean a bad thing.
Here is some advice how to protect your liver as much as you can:
-plenty of water
-healthy food (low fat diet)
-fresh fruits and vegetables
-sports like yoga,walking in the park
For alcohol i would recommend a glass of red wine. It is good for your heart.
For any other question,don't hesitate to contact me.
If my answers helped you, please a rate or a coment would be great.
Wishing all the best at you.
Dr.Endri Katro
Follow up...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I am happy for the results of the ultrasound about your liver. Something to not be worried any more.
Now according to your ALT levels from 20 to 42 we can't say that it has doubled because each day the levels of the enzymes are diferent in the normal range. For that reason there is a normal range. for example if you do a test today and another tomorroe the enzymes will be diferent. Lower or higher but that doesn't mean a bad thing.
Here is some advice how to protect your liver as much as you can:
-plenty of water
-healthy food (low fat diet)
-fresh fruits and vegetables
-sports like yoga,walking in the park
For alcohol i would recommend a glass of red wine. It is good for your heart.
For any other question,don't hesitate to contact me.
If my answers helped you, please a rate or a coment would be great.
Wishing all the best at you.
Dr.Endri Katro
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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