What Causes Elevated AST And ALT Levels?

Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2015

Question: Hi! My AST and the ALT count has gone way up : what is the problem?
2010 18 24
2012 25 33
2013 19 26
2014 133 296
2015 195 398

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Further information is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking HCM!

I read carefully your query and would like to help you with my advices. I confirm that your liver enzymes have been increased the last 2 years (from 19/26 in 2013 to 195/398 in 2015). This is a sign of liver damage which may be caused by, alcohol consumption, medication you are taking, hepatitis, gallbladder disease etc.

However to give you an exact opinion I would like to ask you some more questions about your recent health problems.
1. Do you drink alcohol regularly? If yes how much you take in a day/week?
2. Are you taking any medication which may increase liver enzymes, such as Statins, fenofibrate, antibiotics etc?
3. Did you suffer from jaundice or hepatitis in the past? Did you have fever chills or any previous infectious disease?
4. Do you have problems with gallbladder (stones, infection etc.)
5. Are you overweight or obese?

Looking forward to have the requested data in.

Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (50 minutes later)

I had a knee fracture on 10/12/14, was off my right leg for 3 months, no pressure on it at all. Was on pain medication at emergency, twice, given morphine, etc. to stabalize me, and then oxycodone for a week at home. The only meds I have now is Armour for my thyroid, 60mg., on it for 20 years. No problems otherwise on your other questions. I'm 25 lbs. overweight., and have 3-4 drinks during the week, but, not much since I have the higher numbers. I do not eat any meat, only seafood, and dairy, for about 45 years.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow the suggestions below,,,

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for following up.

Taking into account your actual problems, it seems that all your problems are related to the pain killers, oxicodone used especially if you continued consuming alcohol.

May I know, if they used anesthesic drugs during the fracture repair?

Thank you!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Their was no surgery on the knee. Just off that leg for 3 months. Did not have any alcohol during the taking of the pain meds. I do not take meds unless I really have too. I get an ultra sound this Thursday the 15th. What would make the liver count go down?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following diet&drugs to reduce high transaminases

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

In order to get your transaminases reduced I advise the following :

Diet
- avoid eating refined sugar
- avoid artificial colorings and additives
- eat fresh greeny foods
- consume more fish than meat

Drugs
- vit E
- silymarine

All the best!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (20 minutes later)

I do not eat any meat only vegetables and seafood but do have sugar in my diet. This has been my diet for 45 years. So I will omit the sugar and what kind of medication will be recommended?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
please ignore the previous answer, it's a technical error

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The answer to your follow up query is as below:

As mentioned in the last post, I recommend to take vit.E and silymarin (legalon) which serve as potent anti-oxidant and hepato protector respectively for the moment. Other medications are advised specifically based on the possible causes (e.g. infection like hepatitis).

Do let me know if you have more concerns. Take care!

Dr.Klerida

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E