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What Causes Elevated ALT Levels?

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Posted on Sat, 11 Oct 2014
Question: Okay, I am freaking out. I sent a question yesterday about having an high ALT 55. My doctor said the following: ALT Should be less than 33. Since my level has been elevated in prior tests she sais an Ultrasound is needed to check for cirrhosis, nodules, tumors, gall stones etc.

What is the chance that this could be a tumor? There seems to be many opinions on whether a score of 55 should be really concerning. If we are talking possibly a tumor that is pretty concerning to me.


Full tests:

PROTEIN, TOTAL 6.4
ALBUMIN, S 4.7
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.6
BILIRUBIN, DIRECT 0.2
ALT (GPT) 55
AST(GOT) 32
ALK PTASE 72
I don't have a gall bladder so it isn't likely to be gall stones.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ALT and AST within normal range...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns.

It is true that ALT and AST are indicators for possible inflammation of liver due to many factors. In your case, AST and ALT looks fine, within normal range.

For your information, the normal range for:
- AST is 5 - 40 (yours is 32, perfectly normal)
- ALT is 7 - 56 (yours is 55, perfectly normal too)

Different laboratories have different reference range due to chemicals they use to carry out the test.

You have sent only the lab results, and not the reference range. I advise to see the reference range, and I am sure, your ALT will be within normal range.

Another thing, in medical practice we accept tolerance range levels even though they can be high. If the liver enzymes levels will be higher than 100 then, we should be worried and go for further investigations to find out the source.

At last, following a healthy lifestyle and diet regimen will help keep you healthy and your biochemical tests results within normal range.

Hope it answered to your queries! If anything unclear, do not hesitate to write me back!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 minutes later)
Thanks for this information. The doctor said that she has a scale where anything greater than 33 is elevated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Should see the reports to avoid misunderstanding..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

I should see the reports first. I am afraid there might be a misunderstanding. The reports will clarify everything.

In medical practice, we are basing our judgment on the lab reports. Everything we say has a reference.

Based on what you are reporting, your liver enzymes are within normal range.

Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (47 minutes later)
Here you go. Is this what you need.


Component

Standard Range

Your Value


PROTEIN,
Range: TOTAL 6.0 - 8.5 g/dL
My value: 6.4

ALBUMIN, S
Range: 3.5 - 5.5 g/dL
My value: 4.7

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL
Range: 0.1 - 1.2 mg/dL
My value: 0.6

BILIRUBIN, DIRECT
Range: 0 - 0.4 mg/dL
My value: 0.2

ALT (GPT)
Range: <33 U/L
My value: 55

AST(GOT)
Range: 0 - 50 U/L
My value: 32

ALK PTASE
Range: 39 - 117 U/L
My value: 72
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get hepatitis testing done...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for providing the reference ranges of your lab.

If you have also carried out hepatitis (B, C) testing and that resulted normal, then, the most probable causes to your high ALT level is:
- physical activity
- fatty liver
- alcohol use
- certain medications/herbal supplemenations you might be taking recently prior to testing
- hormonal changes at your age

Get hepatitis testing first, and run abdominal ultrasound for further evaluation.

At the end, although it seemed slightly elevated, your ALT levels are not worrisome.

All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Causes Elevated ALT Levels?

Brief Answer: ALT and AST within normal range... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. It is true that ALT and AST are indicators for possible inflammation of liver due to many factors. In your case, AST and ALT looks fine, within normal range. For your information, the normal range for: - AST is 5 - 40 (yours is 32, perfectly normal) - ALT is 7 - 56 (yours is 55, perfectly normal too) Different laboratories have different reference range due to chemicals they use to carry out the test. You have sent only the lab results, and not the reference range. I advise to see the reference range, and I am sure, your ALT will be within normal range. Another thing, in medical practice we accept tolerance range levels even though they can be high. If the liver enzymes levels will be higher than 100 then, we should be worried and go for further investigations to find out the source. At last, following a healthy lifestyle and diet regimen will help keep you healthy and your biochemical tests results within normal range. Hope it answered to your queries! If anything unclear, do not hesitate to write me back! Dr.Klerida