Suggest Treatment For Elevated ALT Levels

Posted on Thu, 19 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 Answered on

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently tore my ACL in July 2014, and I went in for a pre op for surgery in August and my ALT came back at 140 when the normal range was 35-105. My doc didn't see an issue and said it could be due to my recent injury. After surgery my incision was infected so I took antibiotics in Late October/November. My physical was done in december and again my ALT was elevated. This time the range was 35-50 and my range was 87. My PCP said just to repeat it in 3 months. I do not drink. Could this be an issue? Or could be related to my injury?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I will say monitor again.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this ALT levels and all the disturbing thoughts this has caused you. From the values, it is on a downward trend and I will not want to be any aggressive and more so because there are no red flags that call for immediate attention. I will recommend a routine 3 months follow up at this time.

Injury is unlikely to have caused this. However, being on pain medications for the surgery, tore ACL, etc could be a reason for this increase as drugs are known to cause such including Tylenol.

In all, monitor. There are no red flags and if they persist in the abnormal range, get a full liver panel examination for more investigations.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 days later)

You mag be right when it comes to the pain meds from surgery. I have be consistently taking hydrocodone for pain for a few years now. If my liver os damaged can this be reversed?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I don't thik the liver has suffered irreversible damage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I don't think the liver has suffered irreversible damage. I will lie to see some other numbers before concluding on this. Let's exercise some patience and get the facts right.

Keep me posted and updated!

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (29 minutes later)

My first ALT done in August 2014 was 140 on a range of 34-105. In december it was repeated and showed 87 on a range of 35-50. The numbers are decreasing

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This is a positive sign and very encouraging!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This is a good sign and that's the reason why I think monitoring would make much sense. let's gain ourselves this time before we get very aggressive on this.

I wish you well.

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