Is An ALT Level Of 51 Indicative Of Liver Disease?

Posted on Tue, 16 Aug 2016

Question: My GI doc does not seems to be worried about my liver ALT enzyme of 51 along with my ultrasound/MRI that came back normal and a CT scan done a year ago (normal). I feel like I am having liver disease symptoms, but he thinks it is my anxiety. He said not to worry. What are the chances I could have end stage liver disease in accordance to my labs/recent imaging in April - XXXXXXX while he is telling me not to worry?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

Your ALT is only mildly elevated.
I would take it as significant elevation only if it is elevated more than twice the upper limit of normal. I am not able to see viral markers in the report. You can get them done.

Your albumin globulin ratio is more than one. This indicate you do not have any chronic liver disease.

Your CT scan done on 16th XXXXXXX shows biliary stricture. MRI scan may be done to evaluate it further.

End stage liver disease however is unlikely.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
By chronic liver disease, I meant cirrhosis.

Good to know that biliary stricture evaluation has been done.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 minute later)

When you mention chronic liver disease, does that include cirrhosis? My stricture has been evaluated.

If there was a hint of cirrhosis, would it had likely been seen within my scans?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me with more questions.

If there was cirrhosis, scans would have shown shrunken liver with enlarged spleen.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Or the scans would have shown bumps. I am really nervous about having an elevated ALT enzyme of 51 and hope I don't have cirrhosis. I have a total of 5 scan within the past two years. I don't drink alcohol.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No cirrhosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your scans were normal and your albumin globulin ratio is more than one.
These rule out cirrhosis.

ALT not significantly raised.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (3 hours later)

So you would typically see higher ALT levels in the event of cirrhosis?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
ALT level is not considered to diagnose cirrhosis.
ALT can be normal also in cirrhosis.

ALT is increased in liver cell damage (hepatitis).

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (27 minutes later)

So should I be worried with my ALT being 51?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You need not worry about it.
Get the liver panel done after 4 weeks.
As mentioned in my first post you get the viral markers done if not done already.
And I tell you again, you do not have cirrhosis.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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