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Suggest Remedy For Pain And Numbness In Arm
Question: Recently had blood tests done. All well except alt = 47. Pcp didn't raise as a concern but I recently went to a neurologist for strange pain in my foot and told her about numbness sometimes in my arm after it had been raised for a while. She saw my liver test results and asked me about my drinking habits. Told her I drink a few glasses a wine a night sometimes more on the weekend. She told me she thought my numbness was due to alcohol and I should stop drinking and come back in 6 weeks. Is 47 a really bad number? My pcp said nothing to me!
Brief Answer:
tricky.
Detailed Answer:
ok... one isolated number within 20% of average is not much of a concern. And...more than double the amount of wine that tends to indicate potential concerns is far further from the average.
Ok... First... someone should have done some screens for alcohol problems.
These would include surveys:
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/drug-testing/alcohol-mast/
and evaluation of other blood correlates of alcohol toxicity (size of blood cells.. MCV and the levels of other liver enzymes GGT and perhaps levels of folic acid).
perhaps looking at the liver for damage with an ultrasound or CT
perhaps looking at nerve damage with nerve conduction tests.
This isn't the most common pattern of alcohol induced nerve damage but can be a cause. Nerve conductions would lend support by differentiating between sick nerves and pinched nerves.
tricky.
Detailed Answer:
ok... one isolated number within 20% of average is not much of a concern. And...more than double the amount of wine that tends to indicate potential concerns is far further from the average.
Ok... First... someone should have done some screens for alcohol problems.
These would include surveys:
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/drug-testing/alcohol-mast/
and evaluation of other blood correlates of alcohol toxicity (size of blood cells.. MCV and the levels of other liver enzymes GGT and perhaps levels of folic acid).
perhaps looking at the liver for damage with an ultrasound or CT
perhaps looking at nerve damage with nerve conduction tests.
This isn't the most common pattern of alcohol induced nerve damage but can be a cause. Nerve conductions would lend support by differentiating between sick nerves and pinched nerves.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My AST level was 31 as well. I have a follow up with my PCP at the end of this month and plan to avoid alcohol until then. I was out drinking the night before the blood test but she said that level would not be a result of drinking the night before but rather long term abuse. Can you comment on her opinion? I've definitely been drinking a few glasses a night for a few years and go out on the weekends. I've had long periods of abstinence too while pregnant during those years as well
Brief Answer:
simple. it isn't an indicator
Detailed Answer:
From the Am Soc of Addiction medicine textbook (pg 336), the AST would be expected to be HIGHER than the ALT....so... wouldn't be an indication of alcohol (or at that level) not much of anytbing else....
GGt and other tests as mentioned are better
simple. it isn't an indicator
Detailed Answer:
From the Am Soc of Addiction medicine textbook (pg 336), the AST would be expected to be HIGHER than the ALT....so... wouldn't be an indication of alcohol (or at that level) not much of anytbing else....
GGt and other tests as mentioned are better
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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