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Does Alcohol Consumption Cause Elevation In Liver Enzymes?

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Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015
Question: I am 34 yrs old (male) and recently had some routine bloodwork done that showed elevated liver enzymes. My AST was 51 and ALT was 72. I also had high cholesterol at 258 (HDL=71, LDL=166, Triglycerides=155). I am a regular drinker and normally consume 2-3 alcoholic drinks a day and probably 5-6 a day on the weekends. I recently broke my wrist and had been taking percocet and norco daily for about 2 months just prior to the bloodwork (probably averaged 650 mgs of acetaminophen a day). Unfortunately, I did not change my drinking habits for those two months and drank while taking the medication. Even worse, on two consecutive days about 4 days prior to the blood test I took 4 or 5 pills in a day and consumed a pretty large amount of alcohol with them - maybe 8-10 drinks each time. Do you think the combination of alcohol and painkillers is the likely cause for the elevated liver enzymes? I have no symptoms at this time, this was just a routine checkup. It was a comprehensive metabolic panel and all other levels were within the normal range ( GGT, ALP, Billirubin, and Albumin).
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Answered by Dr. Divakara (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it's due to both.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.

Yes you are absolutely right, your alcohol consumption along with the intake of medicines have caused elevation in your liver enzymes.

In fact I am surprised that your AST and ALT are mildly elevated and not grossly elevated . This elevation can come back to normal levels provided you stop drinking.

Hope this answers your query.

Any clarification feel free to ask .

Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Divakara

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2358 Questions

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Does Alcohol Consumption Cause Elevation In Liver Enzymes?

Brief Answer: Yes it's due to both. Detailed Answer: HI Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P Thanks for posting your query. Yes you are absolutely right, your alcohol consumption along with the intake of medicines have caused elevation in your liver enzymes. In fact I am surprised that your AST and ALT are mildly elevated and not grossly elevated . This elevation can come back to normal levels provided you stop drinking. Hope this answers your query. Any clarification feel free to ask . Regards.