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Suggest Treatment For Elevated AST Levels
Question: I went in for a general blood test and my liver enzyme levels came back as
AST - 426
ALT - 198
Alkaline Phosphate - 59
Bilrbuin - 1.1
Trigylcerides - 62
Cholesterol - 108
Glucose - 72
A test was re-run 48 hours later to confirm the really high liver enzymes and it came back as
AST - 365 (decrease by 51)
ALT - 202 (increase by 4)
Glucose - 80 - (increase by 8)
A hepatitis test was run and all forms came back negative.
A Blood A1c test was given and the glucose was in the normal range (4.8).
I had an ultrasound and they said I had a mildly enlarged spleen and liver, also had a small kidney stone in the right kidney (.6 cm)
Over the past two weeks (since the first blood test result), I am experiencing an increasing amount of tingling sensations (pins and needles) in my hands and feet. I'm not sure if this is anxiety/stress related, but it has increased in frequency, but happens randomly. The tingling can also sometimes be felt in my calves or upper arms. This is only felt when I am not standing. (in bed at night, sitting on a chair). There is also numbness in my heel (only happened once). Outside of the tingling and pins and needles, I feel fine. I have changed my diet (started about a month ago or so ago), to mainly vegan, with fish once a week, and I only drink water. The
I am getting a third liver enzyme test later this week, and I have been taking Milk Thistle, CoQ10, and a Multi-Vitamin for a few days now.
What does all this mean? What do I have? The pins and needles has me really worried.
AST - 426
ALT - 198
Alkaline Phosphate - 59
Bilrbuin - 1.1
Trigylcerides - 62
Cholesterol - 108
Glucose - 72
A test was re-run 48 hours later to confirm the really high liver enzymes and it came back as
AST - 365 (decrease by 51)
ALT - 202 (increase by 4)
Glucose - 80 - (increase by 8)
A hepatitis test was run and all forms came back negative.
A Blood A1c test was given and the glucose was in the normal range (4.8).
I had an ultrasound and they said I had a mildly enlarged spleen and liver, also had a small kidney stone in the right kidney (.6 cm)
Over the past two weeks (since the first blood test result), I am experiencing an increasing amount of tingling sensations (pins and needles) in my hands and feet. I'm not sure if this is anxiety/stress related, but it has increased in frequency, but happens randomly. The tingling can also sometimes be felt in my calves or upper arms. This is only felt when I am not standing. (in bed at night, sitting on a chair). There is also numbness in my heel (only happened once). Outside of the tingling and pins and needles, I feel fine. I have changed my diet (started about a month ago or so ago), to mainly vegan, with fish once a week, and I only drink water. The
I am getting a third liver enzyme test later this week, and I have been taking Milk Thistle, CoQ10, and a Multi-Vitamin for a few days now.
What does all this mean? What do I have? The pins and needles has me really worried.
Brief Answer:
It's due to anxiety/stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Your AST level is really high. Habitual drinking of alcohol is one of the major causes if hepatitis testing are all negative.
2. Changing lifestyle and diet regimen is the first and most important step in improving your blood test results.
3. The tingling sensation with pins and needles you are feeling, which started when you had your first blood test is related to anxiety and being stressed out because of testing.
Alcohol use and vitamins deficiencies could be another cause. You have already stopped using alcohol and taking multivitamins.
Controlling stress and anxiety is also important in improving your symptoms.
Stress relieving exercise can help
Once again, the tingling you feel is due to anxiety. When you'll be more relaxed, you won't feel it. If it will persist, neurologist to consult.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
It's due to anxiety/stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Your AST level is really high. Habitual drinking of alcohol is one of the major causes if hepatitis testing are all negative.
2. Changing lifestyle and diet regimen is the first and most important step in improving your blood test results.
3. The tingling sensation with pins and needles you are feeling, which started when you had your first blood test is related to anxiety and being stressed out because of testing.
Alcohol use and vitamins deficiencies could be another cause. You have already stopped using alcohol and taking multivitamins.
Controlling stress and anxiety is also important in improving your symptoms.
Stress relieving exercise can help
Once again, the tingling you feel is due to anxiety. When you'll be more relaxed, you won't feel it. If it will persist, neurologist to consult.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I don't drink alcohol that often. Sure, in college I drank as much as the average person, but that was 5 years ago. Alcohol cannot be a reason. I probably average 1 drink every other week. The only think I can think of is poor diet over the past 8 months or so, but I doubt that can elevate your levels to 10 times the normal. I put on about 15+ pounds during that period.
If I was vitamin deficient, would that not be redflagged in a blood test?
What other test need to be done? Urinalysis? etc?
This morning was the second consecutive day where when I woke up, both hands were tingly/numb on the left side.
If I was vitamin deficient, would that not be redflagged in a blood test?
What other test need to be done? Urinalysis? etc?
This morning was the second consecutive day where when I woke up, both hands were tingly/numb on the left side.
Brief Answer:
Repeat testing after 6 weeks...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for your following up query.
Waking up with tingling in neck and extremities is indicating :
- you use to sleep on one side if your body only compressing blood vessels of that side. Thus, blood circulation to the nerves of that side is reduced, so, nerves are not functioning properly. And you are feeling tingling sensation .
- sometimes, lack of vitamins of B group can also be the cause.
- what you eat will greatly affecting your liver and other body organs. If no hepatitis and low alcohol consumption, then poor diet ( including junk too) can be the cause to high AST levels.
You are not mentioning if ultrasound reported fatty liver.
So far, to my opinion, you should follow healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, continue vitamins you are already taking and repeat testing after 6 weeks to see if anything changes.
Consultation with neurologist is advised if tingling will persist.
Hope it helped!
Dr. Albana
Repeat testing after 6 weeks...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for your following up query.
Waking up with tingling in neck and extremities is indicating :
- you use to sleep on one side if your body only compressing blood vessels of that side. Thus, blood circulation to the nerves of that side is reduced, so, nerves are not functioning properly. And you are feeling tingling sensation .
- sometimes, lack of vitamins of B group can also be the cause.
- what you eat will greatly affecting your liver and other body organs. If no hepatitis and low alcohol consumption, then poor diet ( including junk too) can be the cause to high AST levels.
You are not mentioning if ultrasound reported fatty liver.
So far, to my opinion, you should follow healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, continue vitamins you are already taking and repeat testing after 6 weeks to see if anything changes.
Consultation with neurologist is advised if tingling will persist.
Hope it helped!
Dr. Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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