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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Drinking Alcohol. Will It Result In High ALT Reading? How It Damages Liver?

Hello my doctor asked me to retake a blood test to test my ALT levels in a month. I had been drinking about three days before I took the blood test so I was wondering if that would have resulted in high ALT reading and that is why asking for me to do a retest? How much damaged must your liver for you to have a high Alt reading? Thank you
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi Bibi.you didnt mention how high ALT is. 2x or 3x higher than normal is a sign of hepatic or biliary damageusually biliary obstrucuton or gallbladder stones) It can be caused by alcohol or any other factor. More specific test for alcohol abuse is GGT. If only ALT is raised and you consider that you are not heavy drinker then liver damage iis probably minimal. Ultrasound can visualize is there any sign of cirrhosis. YOu should do freuent liver enzyme test and stop drinking till values fall to normal range. If alcohol abstinence isnt enough then other possible cause should be found such as viral or autoimmune hepatitis or biliar tree obstruction.
Wish you good health
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Drinking Alcohol. Will It Result In High ALT Reading? How It Damages Liver?

Hi Bibi.you didnt mention how high ALT is. 2x or 3x higher than normal is a sign of hepatic or biliary damageusually biliary obstrucuton or gallbladder stones) It can be caused by alcohol or any other factor. More specific test for alcohol abuse is GGT. If only ALT is raised and you consider that you are not heavy drinker then liver damage iis probably minimal. Ultrasound can visualize is there any sign of cirrhosis. YOu should do freuent liver enzyme test and stop drinking till values fall to normal range. If alcohol abstinence isnt enough then other possible cause should be found such as viral or autoimmune hepatitis or biliar tree obstruction. Wish you good health