Raised ALT Levels in liver - British Heart Fou...

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Raised ALT Levels in liver

Artery0917 profile image
21 Replies

Hi all

Well went to my diabetic review yesterday and my blood results is showing raised ALT levels and the doctor wants another blood test done just in case and to confirm the readings.

However, I don’t know why there is raised levels as I do not have any symptoms at all.

Could it be the medication? Has anyone got this issue and how have they brought it back to normal?

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Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917
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21 Replies
Dovaston profile image
Dovaston

Do you take a statin ?

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply toDovaston

Yes i take 80mg atrovistatin since my HA sept 2017

Dovaston profile image
Dovaston in reply toArtery0917

Statins can elevate Liver enzymes

mikeydt profile image
mikeydt

i have that problem it can be caused by anything, if the readings keep coming back abnormal then the route is a ultrasound, mine came back as fatty liver then later for reasons it then came back as enlarged then back to fatty liver.

there are many reasons so all you can do is wait to see what the next bloods come back as.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply tomikeydt

Ok thanks for this, let’s see what come up.

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53 in reply toArtery0917

I had the same, my levels were only mildly raised. My Atorvastatin dose was reduced from 80mg to 40mg (for a different reason) and a further blood test a few weeks later showed my ALT levels had returned to normal. Ask GP if it could be related to your statin if you take them and make sure you have a review blood test in a few weeks. If your levels are significantly raised further investigation like a scan may be needed.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply toNathan53

Thanks that’s very useful. I will mention the statins when I see the doctor on Tuesday and I don’t see any reason for keeping on 80mg whilst my cholesterol is 2.3!

NorthantsSteve profile image
NorthantsSteve in reply toArtery0917

The NICE guidelines are to keep you on 80Mg for two years after the HA regardless of cholesterol levels.

Re liver enzyme levels - mine are high but seemingly have always been high and are not changing, so nothing to do with meds (I’ll be on a similar cocktail to you but a little further on) and Doc not worried. I keep asking about it and every blood test it gets checked out (as do blood sugar levels which I’m more concerned about).

marypw profile image
marypw

Atorvastatin put my liver function tests up, so I switched to simvastatin without any problems. I think it's quite common, which is why my GP always checks after the first six weeks on a statin.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply tomarypw

Ok thanks for this, will mention it and see if it gets changed for me too!

mikeydt profile image
mikeydt

the trouble with the suggestion of statins raising the alt level is that i am on a host of medications but not statins and my alt levels were raised so as said it could be anything including lifestyle issues.

still worth asking about statins if you think it may be this but the only way would be even more testing then to see if the levels go to normal.

mine started years ago when i lost my gall bladder every so often my liver levels were raised.

they even put it down to drinking but yet i stopped over 20 years ago

like yourself i am having blood tests on Monday and one of them is to check the liver levels again guess i will know within a few days just hope the phone doesn't ring.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply tomikeydt

Ok well all the best!

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917

My Hba1c is 8.8 so slaughter higher and as for carbohydrates I don’t really measure cause I’ve got a good diet in that sense

AFIB_AFLUTTER profile image
AFIB_AFLUTTER

Possibly medication you have to take.

genteel profile image
genteel

Hi Artery. My liver test was mildly high but went back to normal. A number of things can be the cause with medication and even foods we eat but I think mine was due to large amounts of paracetamol I was taking to battle a bad cold virus i had for over 2 weeks.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply togenteel

Ok. Well I feel fine and seeing the doctors next Tuesday. See how it goes.

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917

Thanks for this, it’s all so difficult to maintain what we eat!

Handel profile image
Handel

Hi Artery0917.

If you're on a statin and your overall cholesterol levels are 2.3 the dose needs to be lowered a bit.

I'm a long time insulin dependent diabetic and a couple of years ago my ALT levels were high. The statin dose was cut down and at the next review, the levels were back to normal.

Good luck and don't worry. xxx

Artery0917 profile image
Artery0917 in reply toHandel

Thank you Handel. You’re right, Best thing is not to worry now.

Handel profile image
Handel

Stressing can cause problems too!! I know it's easy for other people to say don't worry.

All the very best. Don't forget to report back! xxx

Hometerry profile image
Hometerry

I was on one type of statin which dident agree with my liver, have changed over to

another one.

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