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Suggest Medical Tests To Rule Out Liver Damage
Posted on
Tue, 23 Feb 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 23 Feb 2016
Answered on
Wed, 4 May 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I just had a general blood workup, including my first ever liver testing. All they tested was my AST and ALT, both of which came back as normal (AST: 39 ALT: 14). But it is evident, to me, that my liver is NOT "normal." Sure enough ... I just did some research and found that those numbers are "inverted" and that I indeed may have a serious problem as my AST/ALT ratio is greater than 2.5, indicating probable alcoholic fatty liver and cirrhosis, which wouldn't XXXXXXX me in the least. I believe I've had fatty liver for a couple of years, now. I've been a heavy wine drinker since my early 20s (I'm 55). What would be the best place for me to go for further and better liver testing? I've read that liver tests can show "normal" when you have liver disease. I know I need to stop drinking immediately, but in the meantime, what's the best way for me to quickly find out the type and extent of liver damage I have, and what can I do about it besides to discontinue drinking?
I should add that except for my weight and my blood pressure, every single other result of my testing came out as normal or below normal and low to no risk for everything they tested me for. If I do have liver disease, the only way I can notice it manifesting itself is via the vague "pain" where I know my liver is, which isn't always noticeable and isn't bad. But now that I've been tested and received the results I suspected I would regarding my liver, I believe I'm sufficiently scared to take serious action and would appreciate your help and advice. (I have no regular physician and no health insurance.)
I should add that except for my weight and my blood pressure, every single other result of my testing came out as normal or below normal and low to no risk for everything they tested me for. If I do have liver disease, the only way I can notice it manifesting itself is via the vague "pain" where I know my liver is, which isn't always noticeable and isn't bad. But now that I've been tested and received the results I suspected I would regarding my liver, I believe I'm sufficiently scared to take serious action and would appreciate your help and advice. (I have no regular physician and no health insurance.)
Brief Answer:
go for abdominal ultrasound and other important liver markers.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your whole query and understand the problem.
Your both liver markers (AST,ALT) are completely normal and I wouldn't be worried about the ration when the levels are individually well within normal limits. Furthermore serum SGPT (ALT) and SGOT (AST) are highly sensitive liver function tests and they always get elevated in liver disease like hepatitis, cirrhosis or even alcoholic fatty liver. So I feel, you should not be worried about it's ratio since it has very less clinical value especially as a 'diagnostic' criteria.
Here, I would want to assure that you need NOT to worry about alcoholic fatty liver or cirrhosis without going for further appropriate investigations.
However, if you are heavy wine drinker since a long time and suspect alcoholic fatty liver changes or even cirrhosis with feeling 'vague pain' over right side of abdomen, then the best way to investigate it further by ULTRASOUND OF ABDOMEN and other liver function tests like bilirubin,ALT,GGT (if not done earlier). You should discuss your concerns with your primary care provider. Perhaps he/she can order these tests for you.
But as I said initially, in my opinion, the chances of you having liver cirrhosis would be rare especially in an otherwise healthy individual. So there is NO need to worry much until the tests reports come.
Also, I would like to say that fatty liver (if gets detected on ultrasound) is NOT an alarming finding. It indicates fatty tissue deposition on the liver like in all men/women who have fatty or pendulous abdomen. Therefore I wouldn't be personally worried about this finding if comes in your case.
So,in my advise you should straightway go for abdominal ultrasound and other important liver markers to find out if there is any liver issue.(FIRST STEP)
Type and extent of liver damage will also be figured out by ultrasound later on but NOT RIGHT NOW.
Apart from alcohol cessation,you should also careful with your diet and do regular exercises.
1) do regular exercise or brisk walk at least 30 minutes per day
2) Avoid junk foods and fast foods,
3) Also take low fat and high protein diet (Veg- Pulses, soyabean and cheese)
4) You should take more fresh fruits and vegetables.
5) No issue to continue all these supplements.
Hope this detailed information will be helpful.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
go for abdominal ultrasound and other important liver markers.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your whole query and understand the problem.
Your both liver markers (AST,ALT) are completely normal and I wouldn't be worried about the ration when the levels are individually well within normal limits. Furthermore serum SGPT (ALT) and SGOT (AST) are highly sensitive liver function tests and they always get elevated in liver disease like hepatitis, cirrhosis or even alcoholic fatty liver. So I feel, you should not be worried about it's ratio since it has very less clinical value especially as a 'diagnostic' criteria.
Here, I would want to assure that you need NOT to worry about alcoholic fatty liver or cirrhosis without going for further appropriate investigations.
However, if you are heavy wine drinker since a long time and suspect alcoholic fatty liver changes or even cirrhosis with feeling 'vague pain' over right side of abdomen, then the best way to investigate it further by ULTRASOUND OF ABDOMEN and other liver function tests like bilirubin,ALT,GGT (if not done earlier). You should discuss your concerns with your primary care provider. Perhaps he/she can order these tests for you.
But as I said initially, in my opinion, the chances of you having liver cirrhosis would be rare especially in an otherwise healthy individual. So there is NO need to worry much until the tests reports come.
Also, I would like to say that fatty liver (if gets detected on ultrasound) is NOT an alarming finding. It indicates fatty tissue deposition on the liver like in all men/women who have fatty or pendulous abdomen. Therefore I wouldn't be personally worried about this finding if comes in your case.
So,in my advise you should straightway go for abdominal ultrasound and other important liver markers to find out if there is any liver issue.(FIRST STEP)
Type and extent of liver damage will also be figured out by ultrasound later on but NOT RIGHT NOW.
Apart from alcohol cessation,you should also careful with your diet and do regular exercises.
1) do regular exercise or brisk walk at least 30 minutes per day
2) Avoid junk foods and fast foods,
3) Also take low fat and high protein diet (Veg- Pulses, soyabean and cheese)
4) You should take more fresh fruits and vegetables.
5) No issue to continue all these supplements.
Hope this detailed information will be helpful.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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