What Causes Elevated AST And ALT Levels?

Posted on Thu, 10 Apr 2014

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : A few months ago I was taking 2 diuretics (40 mg Lasix and spironolactone mgs. unknown) that was prescribed by my primary doctor. My heart doctor told me that was too much for me to take. I weight 125. He cut my dosage down to 20 mg of Lasix only and told me if my ankles swell to take 40 mg for that day. It did happen twice. I went back to the 20 mg with no ankle swelling, but got terrible abdominal pains. My primary doctor took blood tests and had a cat scan and showed fluid in my abdomen. My ast was 60 and alt was 44. After seeing my primary doctor I remembered what my heart doctor said and started taking 40 mg of Lasix. After a week or so I had no more abdominal pain. Could the fluid cause my enzymes to elevate?

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Fluids do not cause your enzymes to elevate... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history carefully. Fluids are not causing your enzymes to be elevated. Liver damage (probably cirrhosis) is causing your enzymes to get high. When liver is not functioning properly (cirrhosis), fluids are accumulating in the abdomen (or in your feet). Once you increased the dose of furosemide, the fluids have been "cleared" out of your abdomen, thus, you got painless. My concern remains liver damages. I suggest to consult a Gastro-hepatologist as soon as possible in order to determine if you have liver cirrhosis and to determine the appropriate stage. Based on the tests results, appropriate treatment strategy would be prescribed. Meanwhile, I advise to take diuretics as directed by your cardiologist. Hope it answered to your query! Let me know if you need further assistance! Dr.Albana

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