Abnormal ALT Readings

[Monkay45]

Hi Guys,

Recently I have been feeling quite unwell. Which is beginning to worry me….

Over past few months I have been feeling a tingling sensation in my left arm, stomach and chest. Being a relatively healthy 27 years old male I never thought anything of it until it progressed and got worse. I went to see my GP regarding this who conducted an ECG and advised me that nothing was wrong and put it down to panic/anxiety attacks. During this check-up, my GP advised me to get some blood testing done.

I recently went for this blood test which found my liver ALT reading at 51. A second round of blood testing was conducted, where I abstained from alcohol for a week, which again found an abnormal liver ALT reading but this time showed as 65 (everything else was fine). The general lab guideline for ALT are 0-40.

The doctor didn't sound to concerned and has simply told me to stay away from drinking alcohol for 6-8weeks as it may take this amount of time to fully clear my liver before a third blood test is carried out. This however has been playing on my mind and after reading some internet forums regarding liver damage, cirrhosis, cancer....this has begun to worry me.

Has anyone has similar issues? Is a ALT reading of 65 something to worry about? Does anyone have any useful tips on how I can assist my liver during this cleansing/healing phase?? I am drinking plenty water and taking vitamin B complex supplements.

Any advice will be very helpfully.

Thanks in advance.

[AyrshireK]

Hello Monkay45, welcome to the forum. First off, I am no doctor or expert on the blood levels side of things. As you have found out your ALT level is slightly elevated - a huge rise could be indicatory of something going seriously wrong but yours is not too far above normal - different labs have different scales 5-45 being the scale some use so 51 isn't way above though it probably does indicate something is going on with your liver.

Elevated ALT appears in fatty liver which can be alcohol or non-alcohol related and some of the viral hepatitis illnesses (has your doctor tested for those?).

Certainly abstain from alcohol until your next test and see how it looks. I would also be requesting an ultrasound scan to see if anything is picked up on that, fatty liver can normally be diagnosed from ultrasound - even if it is that it is treatable and any further liver damage can be slowed or halted.

I did a look on internet in answer to your question and found this page which may be of interest or use to you, especially as it looks at a suitable diet for fatty liver. Might be worth a look. fatty-liver.com/high-elevat...

All the best to you.

Katie

[margaretkirkman]

Hello Monkay,

Reading is less than 50% over upper limit, so can understand GP not too bothered. I am assuming other readings were within range??? ALT is the important reading for liver inflammation, so you need to be honest, and consider were you drinking too much? Are you regularly taking prescribed and/or over the counter meds for anything???

Maggie K

[Monkay45]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the link Katie. I have just taken a look and will defiantly be following the advice detailed. I think fatty liver may be an issue as I am far from following a healthy lifestyle. I am, by no means, following a really unhealthy lifestyle but could do with a lot of improvement.

Maggie, I totally agree with being honest here. I'm not on any medication but find I consume a large amount of alcohol (20-30units) on weekends with friends. During the working week I have no alcohol whatsoever. I did abstain from alcohol when going for my second blood test.

Ill certainly be going sober for 8 weeks and revisiting my training regime during this time.....hope this reduces my levels back to normal.

[briccolone in reply to Monkay45]

hi-welcome to this forum-firstly don't be too concerned-at your age even if you have fatty liver which I doubt it can certainly be reversed. I'm 30 years plus older than you and I managed to reverse fatty liver with 3 months abstinence. Some of the symptoms you describe can be caused by bingeing-pins and beedles in arm etc. If these symptoms disappear with no drinking you'll know you're on the right track. Not drinking during the week is a good start. I'll be very surprised if your liver tests are anything other than normal after a few weeks off the sauce.... keep us posted

[Hidden]

Hi don't worry it's only a little elevated mine was 61 my doctor told me to wait 3 months before getting my second blood test.

After the 3 months it went down to 29 which was fine. My doctor says it is very common to have elevated ALT. It can be caused by medication or diet etc.

take care and don't worry by the way I'm tee total I don't drink alcohol xxx

[Tash70]

I'm somewhat concerned now I've read everyone else's results on here. My partner got his ALT levels today and they were 222!!! His GP seemed very laid back about it just told him to cut down on drink and that was it really, should we be pushing for an ultrasound??

[Monkay45]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to give everyone an update.

I went for a blood test yesterday and my ALT is down to 41 now. I was a bit impatient in waiting for the full 6-8weeks. It would seem that keeping away from the alcohol has really helped.

I know I mentioned in my initial post that I would be returning to the gym and eating a whole lot better but must confess that this never really happened (lack of motivation).

I certainly will be keeping away from alcohol, taking my vitamin B complex and drinking the 8-10 glasses of water per day, as I have been doing, to reduce my count further.

@Tash70 - Does your partner lift weights?? I have read that doing such activities can cause such abnormal ALT numbers. Do get him to try the few things I have as they seem to be working for me.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply on this post.

[Joe2019]

Hello all,

Reading all of your situations is somewhat therapeutic having a high ALT On my last two blood work ups .

I’m a 58 year old male that quit drinking alcohol completely 8 months ago

I have drank alcohol most of my life off and on. Never really really thinking it was to out of control

About 15 years ago I got Hep A And was very sick for a few months but fully recovered.my levels were good and had no problems I was informed by the health department it was from strawberry’s that were sold in the market that other random people consumed

Seeing I dint get involved in any risky behavior it was a simple explanation

My recent labs came back with my ALT at 66 everything else is looking good

Working on a healthy diet and exercise program and since I quit drinking I lost 10 pounds My ALT was around 56 a year ago

This time my Dr is doing a Hep blood work up I’m very nervous but feel fine and working on life style changes

But worried about the ALT of 66.

My doctor dint say a lot and I’m on pins and needles waiting

I know what I need to work just worried

Does anyone know what an ALT of 66 and no other bad indexes could be ?

[Porphyriamaniac in reply to Joe2019]

I have an alt of exactly that and I was diagnosed with nafld via ultrasound after bloods. You could ask for an ultrasound as well as bloods if you haven't had one already. Wishing you luck.

Stacie.

[Tomb1]

Thought I may ask a question I recently had quite a high reading 4 months back of an alt reading 112 which went down to 57 in a month drink free, I’ve stayed drink free for four and a half months and it’s still on 57, all other blood work and ultrasound is perfectly fine, does anyone know why it’s not going down, feels like I’ve failed despite working so hard to get to where I am. Many thanks

Tom

[SammyAskew]

Hi, Sorry new to this site having just searched for ALT levels. I went to Doctors In March 2018 having had a blood test. My results were GGT 150 and ALT 51. They told me I had a fatty liver and should cut down drinking. This I did for a while but wasn't overly worried about it. I had a medical for my Hackney Carriage ILicence recently and immediatly had my licence removed. From reading your comments on this forum these results dont seem particularly high, but because of it I have lost my livelihood (at least until I get another check). Can anyone give me any advice? ('of course I will be stopping drinking for the time being. Many thanks

[21Oaktreepinetree212]

Hi..well I remember when I was 15 and the hospital said do you drink alot..I was 15 like high alt he said..ok I was drinking with an odd friends but not much..strange beetroot is good and lemon water ..cheese moderately is good for liver I hear..green tea ..I slipped up laterly in lockdown so I'm giving myself advice too kick my own ass lol