My liver levels are high, Any views on this would be appreciated
I just got my lab work back for liver functions here are the numbers:
Albumin 3.6 g/dl 3.2-5.0
Total Bilirubin 0.40 mg/dl 0.00-1.00
Direct Bilirubin 0.13 mg/dl 0.00-0.30
Alkaline Phos 98 U/L 50-136
SGOT(AST) 66 (H) U/L 15-37
SGPT(ALT) 75 (H) U/L 30-65
Total Protein 6.7 g/dl 6.4-8.2
Yes, my AST and ALT are both high.
My last liver test was on 2/11/02 and my AST was 45, ALT 38. I have had an ALT as high as 59 on 12/5/01 and and AST at 52 on 12/05/01.
I didnt start my injection of test until after the 2/11/02 lab work.
Looks like I need to watch this and get retested in four weeks. I wish I had gotten a liver test after I started test, hgh, dhea but before I added the deca and clomid three weeks ago. I am not sure if my numbers are elevated due to the deca and clomid or not.
Any opinions pls?
Here is an article about AST and ALT:
What are the most common causes of ALT and AST fluctuation?
This is a very common question patients have when their liver enzymes show some fluctuation, preceded by a period of sustained low to normal levels (usually a good indication that liver inflammation is under control.) Thus, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of what these numbers mean and how to interpret them.
The serum aminotransferases, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are sensitive indicators of liver cell injury and the most frequently measured indicators of liver diseases. These enzymes catalyze the transfer of the á-amino groups of alanine and aspartic acid, respectively, to the á-keto group of ketoglutaric acid. Both enzymes are normally present in serum in low concentrations. (generally less than 30 to 60 IU/L, a normal range may be dependent on the measurement method of the specific laboratory).
ALT is more specific to the liver
ALT is generally concentrated in liver cells and is much more sensitive to liver function testing. Therefore, it is commonly used to monitor the inflammation level of the liver. AST on the other hand, is also found in cardiovascular areas, skeletal muscle, the kidneys, the brain, the pancreas, the lungs, white blood cells, red blood cells and the liver. The rise of ALT and AST in the serum is usually related to the injury or damage of tissues that contain these enzymes. Damage to the cells affects its membrane permeability, which allows the enzymes to leak out. Thus, elevated ALT and AST levels are usually present in disorders such as acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, infectious mononucleosis, heart failure, various infections, metastatic carcinoma, and alcohol related liver damage. However, ALT and AST levels are not good indicators of the cumulative damage sustained by the liver, which is best assessed by a liver biopsy.
ALT is best used to monitor the progress of present and on-going liver inflammation, and a trended decrease is a good sign that fibrosis resulting from inflammation is being controlled. The National Institutes of Health’s Consensus Statement on managing Hepatitis C in 1997 stated that for a treated patient, ALT it is an important marker for monitoring the disease course and his or her response to the treatment. For the untreated patient however, ALT is not as reliable in revealing the stage of disease progression.
Other causes of enzyme elevation, unrelated to Hepatitis
1. Alcohol
2. Common cold or flu
3. Certain types of pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics, painkillers, sleeping pills, and birth control pills
4. Strenuous exercises and excessive physical activities
5. Mental stress
6. Allergic reactions to food or environmental factors
The importance of trended results
Because ALT level can be a representative indicator of current liver inflammation, it is important to distinguish between a temporary fluctuation caused by outside factors (listed above) and a trend that calls for changes in treatment. A trended decrease in ALT along with improvements in subjective symptoms such as fatigue is a good sign that the treatment is controlling the inflammation and improving the liver functions. Thus, an unexpected increase in ALT in the middle of several normal or near normal range results is usually not a cause for concern. If a trend of increasing ALT begins to develop, then it may be time to adjust the treatment protocol. (We have developed several alternatives to our main protocol for non-responding patients.
Our most important goal is still to improve the general well being of the patient and our protocols are designed to treat the patient as a whole and not just the disease alone.
Qing Cai Zhang
Clinic Director
