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What Does Raised ALT Level Indicate?
Posted on
Mon, 26 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 26 Jan 2015
Answered on
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi.I had some routine blood tests done last Thursday and have been told today that I have raised ALT. And should come back in 6 weeks to get a re test. A week before that I had surgery to remove a fibroid and over Xmas drank more than normal although I probably exceed the 14 units weekly if I am honest and will be cutting back. Do you think either if these could have impacted the results?
I am concerned,is raised levels common? Can they return to normal and could it be a sign of cancer? All the other LFT tests were normal.
Thanks
XXXX
I am concerned,is raised levels common? Can they return to normal and could it be a sign of cancer? All the other LFT tests were normal.
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Alcohol causes increased levels of ALT and AST!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
Because you drank so much during the festive periods, this is a possible cause. Alcohol is known to cause this. With no other abnormal results, completing investigations and monitoring would be the best approach for now.
This is not a marker of cancer. I am pretty confident all would be normal if you stop alcohol and there are no other abnormalities identified at this time.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Alcohol causes increased levels of ALT and AST!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
Because you drank so much during the festive periods, this is a possible cause. Alcohol is known to cause this. With no other abnormal results, completing investigations and monitoring would be the best approach for now.
This is not a marker of cancer. I am pretty confident all would be normal if you stop alcohol and there are no other abnormalities identified at this time.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Many Thanks for your reply.
Is it ok to drink moderately? Ie stick to the weekly guidelines?
Is there any medication I can take to help with this, milk thistle?
Thanks
XXXX
Is it ok to drink moderately? Ie stick to the weekly guidelines?
Is there any medication I can take to help with this, milk thistle?
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
My advice is to drink minimally!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.
Drink in very small quantities. This has enormous benefits. I will not like to see you drink much just to damage your liver, increase risk of heart disease, cancers, etc. Take great responsibility.
I will recommend keeping away until the investigations are completed and conclusions reached so as to be sure that this alcohol history is not making interpretations, conclusions and recommendations difficult
I wish you well.
My advice is to drink minimally!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.
Drink in very small quantities. This has enormous benefits. I will not like to see you drink much just to damage your liver, increase risk of heart disease, cancers, etc. Take great responsibility.
I will recommend keeping away until the investigations are completed and conclusions reached so as to be sure that this alcohol history is not making interpretations, conclusions and recommendations difficult
I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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