What Causes Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels?

Posted on Sat, 4 Jun 2016

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

Sat, 4 Jun 2016 Answered on

Tue, 5 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My ALat was slightly elevated at 42 my ast 30 and my alk phos 97. I am worried - I have been taking Lipitor for many years 40 mg a day along with Zetia. My dr said wait and retest what can I do to lower the alt level? I just had eye surgery with anesthesia dr mentioned that could be the reason for the alt elevation I do not understand the correlation. Please advise if there is medication to lower this liver enzyme?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
You are reporting to have Alt 42 and Aston 30.
In clinical practise your Alt level is not elevated. It is called at upper limit of normal range.
Otherwise you are reporting to have eyes surgery recently.
I would like to know if it was used general anestesia at your surgery.
General anesthetic drugs can cause elevated transaminases level.
I would recommend to repeat Ast, alt and bilirubin level after 4 weeks.
Meantime I would suggest to have a healthy life, avoiding alcohol.
There is no need to use any medication to decrease Alt level since it is still in upper limit of normal range.
Wish you health.
Dr.Klerida

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

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

Dr. klerida, Yes general anesthesia was used for my eye surgery. Is there anything else i can do.?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Yes general anesthesia can elevate transaminase level .
But as I said above your transaminase level are not elevated but they are at upper limit of normal range.
If your Alt and ast level will increase than you will use sylimarine and Vit E.
Wish you all the best
Dr.Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (29 hours later)

Can this condition indicate liver or pancreatic cancer or csncer of any form?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow. ..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Your Ast and Alt level doesn't indicate nothing about liver or pancreatic cancer.
There is nothing to be worried at your case.
Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr. Klerida

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