What Does These High ALT And AST Levels Indicate?

Posted on Sun, 16 Mar 2014

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

Sun, 16 Mar 2014 Answered on

Sat, 5 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Is an AST level of 99 and an ALT level of 27 point to cancer? is it reversable? I've asked so many times and have gotten answers saying it's not extremely serious and answers that are very concerning. Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Not due to cancer. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Normal range for SGPT (ALT) 10-40, SGOT (AST) 10-35. So from your reports it is clear that ALT is normal and AST levels are elevated. AST elevates in presence of parenchymal damage because of alcohol use and they return in normal range after stoppage of alcohol. This is not suggestive of cancer. The commonest cause of the same in your age group is due to fat deposition in the liver called a fatty liver. This can happen both due to the consumption of alcohol as well as sedentary lifestyle. My first suggestion is to get an ultrasound of the upper abdomen done to rule out fatty liver. If fatty liver is found, then you need to restrict your alcohol intake (if you are taking any) and do some regular exercise like brisk walking for 45 min-1 hour daily. Ursodeoxychiloic acid (UDCA) is supposed to help in reducing the fatty liver. This will help in reducing the enzyme levels to normal in 6 months. I suggest you to consult a gastroenterologist and get it prescribed. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 minutes later)

Thank you Dr Tayal. I am going to schedule an ultrasound next week. The past year I have been drinking more. My first blood test showed AST 66/ALT 18 so I abstained completely from alcohol for a week and was disheartened to see that my levels actually got higher. I am at 3 weeks without drinking and will be getting another blood test done when I get my u/s done and am so worried about my levels continuing to raise. I am not sedentary. I do light workouts a few times a week.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: It will take 3-4 months to recover. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thanks for writing again. It will take at least 3-4 months for the levels to start decreasing after stopping the alcohol completely. You can get the ultrasound scan done and get the appropriate medicines prescribed for an early recovery. Hope my answer is helpful. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health. Regards

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