What Causes High Liver Enzyme Levels?

Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014

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

Tue, 7 Oct 2014 Answered on

Thu, 30 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My blood showed 9/13/14 ALT 70 and AST 300 .on 9/17 retested ALT 131 and AST 218 .Ultrasound showed spots,CT scan showed 2.2cm X 2.2 cm ,as doctor said blood blister look . Checked ANA was above limit . Checked for hemocromotosis,cyliac was negative. Check for all hepatitis-negative. I do have MVP mild/moderate and heart valve regurgitation.My main issues are weird slight cough,shortness of breath,dry stuffy nose(no mucus),get tiered ,sleepy and changed bowel for maybe last couple of years.Shortness of breath is better when i lay in bed,i think gets worse after i eat,lift my hands up or band .I do not drink,smoke,as active as lot of people.I weigh 126 lb,5'7",39 year old.

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

Brief Answer:
Please follow the answer below...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There are many causes for high transaminases, including cytomegalovirus, and/or hemochromatosis. Can you send all the tests reports you ran to get them evaluated by myself?

In your case, I have noted that AST were higher than ALT, which is indicative for possible toxic hepatitis most probably due to any medication. Are you currently taking any medication on regular basis?

Shortness of breathe after eating might be related to problems with :
- GERD
- upper respiratory infection
- allergy.

Further cardiac tests are needed to exclude heart problems:
- ECG
- cardiac echo
- stress test

Hope this helps!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (14 minutes later)

I do not use any medication.Just every 6-8 weeks Vitamin cocktail Meyers.I was tested for hemocromotosis,doctor said I have just one gene . Due to heart,doctor did stress test,ultrasound,ecg,this is why he said i have mvp and regurgitation .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (28 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ct-scan report is needed...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXX,

I have gone through the reports you sent in, and did not notice any ct scan report as I need to analyze the blood spots noted in ultrasound and ct-scan.

High transaminases could be due to cytomegalovirus, and/or sarcoidosis that should be further investigated.

Difficulties you get when breathing could be due to:
- allergy
- other pulmonary problems: I need to have your chest X-ray report and ct-scan for further analysis together with respiratory function tests.
- GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj