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Abnormal liver function test. Advice please.

Posted , 8 users are following.

matyboyie
matyboyie

So a month and a half ago i got diverticulitis which cleared and did a follow up blood test came back fine then did another to check my liver function again 2 weeks ago came back saying AST is 64 and ALT is 109 meant to be 50 and under doc sent me for ultrasound just came back saying fatty liver basically but did another blood test 2 days ago to make sure levels are going down and they are now AST 97 and ALT 209 also GGT is 82. Doctor said not good and to either get a follow up in a week or go to the hospital. I am freaking out as i have no idea why they are jumping high so quick. I dont drink or anything i have been on a bit of medications for the diverticulitis but havent had them for atleast a week or more before i got my follow up test. I have mild pain on my right side. Are these numbers worrying high ? Isn't that really quick for them to jump so much ? I really dont wanna go to the hospital but i feel like maybe i have no choice.

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • steve88734
    steve88734 matyboyie

    Posted

    I’m no doctor, but I would say the hospital would be a little drastic at this point.  My ALT was 184, AST 72 and my doc wasn’t too concerned at all. My ultrasound said mild fatty infiltration and borderline size right lobe.  I went to a GI doc and she acted same way. Just wait and see.  3 months later ALT 71 AST31.  I had taken a month long round of antibiotics before all of this for prostitis.  The doc said that’s what caused high levels.  I would go to a gi doc or liver doc.  I bet it’s medications you took for diverticulitis.  Just my humble opinion.  I know it’s scary as hell.  I freaked to when I saw the high results.  Hang in there.  Go see a specialist.  
    • matyboyie
      matyboyie steve88734

      Posted

      Did you have pain in the liver are when you're numbers were high ?

  • ChrisA15
    ChrisA15 matyboyie

    Posted

    Honestly? Your doctor is being ridiculous. I too have Fatty liver, and have had abnormal LFT tests going back to my childhood. ALT and AST can easily fluctuate, so one abnormal result means nothing. Doctors usually do LFTs over a long period of time to see any potentially progressive problem with the liver, if the results are continuously abnormal, then usually they will do refer you for a scan 1-3 times a year and in cases of fatty liver; recommend dieting and staying fit. If they can't diagnose the problem, then they will refer you to doctors more specialised in hepatology. .   

    • matyboyie
      matyboyie ChrisA15

      Posted

      I think his concerned because i got pain in the location of my liver and also my function was normal in august and just keeps getting higher and higher so quick but yeah i think going to emergency is a bit overboard lol
    • yimmys85
      yimmys85 ChrisA15

      Posted

      Hi! I know this thread is old but hoping someone will reply. My recent ALT was 140 and AST 80. I had been drinking heavily for a couple weeks prior to the test. My doctor basically said I can't drink anymore but from what I'm reading that's kind of an overreaction isn't it? I have since cut back. Will those numbers go down while still having a couple light beers a night instead MANY.

      Thanks,

      Jim

  • Guest
    Guest matyboyie

    Posted

    A lot of medications can affect liver enzymes, and this effect can last for a month or more after you've finished the prescription.  The "LiverTox" site has a searchable database if you want to run the medications you were on to see if this might be what's causing your blip in labs.  

    I'm surprised your doc suggested you might need to be hospitalized too.  It's possible he may think you are drinking and not admitting this, and he wanted to scare you into a more healthful lifestyle.  

    I'm betting you'll see improvement once you get another couple of months past the meds you were on.  

    Best of Luck, & let us know how this turns out.  

    • matyboyie
      matyboyie Guest

      Posted

      Doc knows i dont drink or anything. I think he is just worried because of how the numbers jumped higher in 2 weeks but i was on a bit of medications for my diverticulitis the past 2 months. 4 courses of antibiotics and IV antibiotic also pain killers. I am guessing thats what has caused this. I am a bit concerned like if i am ignoring somethinf bad because i have a bit of pain but i am guessing the numbers aren't like HORRYING high.

    • Guest
      Guest matyboyie

      Posted

      Antibiotics are in fact the class of pharmaceuticals most commonly associated with "Drug Induced Liver Injury (DILI).  A web search for: Drug-induced liver injury due to antibiotics may be enlightening.  

      "In all major studies on DILI, antibiotics are the most common type of drugs that have been reported"

      The effects of antibiotic related DILI typically resolve on their own without treatment, but it may take up to 3 months for the liver to get back on an even keel.  

      Hope you're seeing better numbers in your labs soon!  

    • matyboyie
      matyboyie Guest

      Posted

      Thanks for the site link. Looked at the antibiotic i was on called augmentin and says its a big cause for liver problems.
    • Guest
      Guest matyboyie

      Posted

      Oh yes, augmentin is one of the bad boys.  The "cholestatic" issue it is primarily associated with is thickening of bile.  

      Lecithin may be helpful in resolving this.  Eggs are rich in lecithin.  It's in the yolk, so you really need whole eggs (not egg white omelettes etc).  Lecithin is also available in supplement form if you don't like eggs, but it's best to run any supp you are considering past your doc first.  Lecithin is fairly benign, so hopefully he/she won't object to a brief course of this.  

      Augmentin related cholestasis should resolve in 4 to 6 weeks.  

    • matyboyie
      matyboyie Guest

      Posted

      I started taking cabot health livatone shots heard they are good for the liver. I am just worried about the pain i am having in the liver region but i am guessing thats inflamation.

    • Guest
      Guest matyboyie

      Posted

      I really like Dr Cabot, & would trust her product.  

      Hope you see swift results!  

    • matyboyie
      matyboyie Guest

      Posted

      Got my follow up blood test results. My numbers have dropped alot in 1 week. ALT is now 95 and AST is 39 GGT 64. Pretty happy they dropped that much but still in extreme pain in my upper abdomen doctor now thinks i have had an ulcer all this time from the meds so treating that atm. Thanks for all the advice smile
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