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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is ALT Level Of 48 A Cause For Concern?

hi I m curious for a second opinion on my most recent hep/liver panel results. I got an ALT of 48 (the lab indicates 9 to 46 u/l is normal and I ve seen Mayo clinic indicate 7 to 55 u/l). All other results were in normal range, including AST. The thing that makes me a bit concerned is that for my last three tests, ALT has risen from 31 to 34 and now to 48 (surely tests can fluctuate). Other info: I don t have hepatitis, and there is no family history of liver disease. I do drink some (usually 3 nights.week of no drinking) and avg. around 8-10 drinks across the course of the week. Thank you
Tue, 9 Feb 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
The raise in your ALT enzyme levels could be an early indication of development alcoholic liver disease. It appears that you are consuming alcohol more in quantity than what has been recommended.
Although the levels you have mentioned of 48U/L is on the upper limit of normal level, it still could indicate the onset of liver damage. Kindly get your complete liver function test (LFT) done along with gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels done. An ultrasound scan of abdomen, particularly the liver and gall bladder region would still give a better picture.
It would be better you stop alcohol consumption completely so that it would help liver to recover from minimal damage which has started. Otherwise, it would progress quickly in no time and you may land up in complications associated with it like fatty liver and cirrhosis.
Kindly consult Physician with reports for appropriate evaluation and management.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
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Is ALT Level Of 48 A Cause For Concern?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. The raise in your ALT enzyme levels could be an early indication of development alcoholic liver disease. It appears that you are consuming alcohol more in quantity than what has been recommended. Although the levels you have mentioned of 48U/L is on the upper limit of normal level, it still could indicate the onset of liver damage. Kindly get your complete liver function test (LFT) done along with gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels done. An ultrasound scan of abdomen, particularly the liver and gall bladder region would still give a better picture. It would be better you stop alcohol consumption completely so that it would help liver to recover from minimal damage which has started. Otherwise, it would progress quickly in no time and you may land up in complications associated with it like fatty liver and cirrhosis. Kindly consult Physician with reports for appropriate evaluation and management. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best.