I recently decided to visit the doctor and get a general wellness checkup after having lots of stomach pains and cramps in the right side of my stomach. I have been a very heavy drinker for the last 8 years roughly. Stopped at one point for 10 months but other then that I have been drunk most everyday in those 8 years. Long story short I got my bloodwork back and was looking if someone could offer a little insight to my liver levels. My Ast is 175 and my ALT is 240. Those numbers cant truly be accurate in my opinion because I drank the night before ( had no clue what a wellness check included so I didn't know I would be doing bloodwork). Should I be too concerned or just assume the numbers are much lower and would have been had I not drank the night before. I have a follow up test scheduled. Thank you for any insight !
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mxothespade
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When you do the retest don't drink the night before and see what the results are. Unless you have stopped drinking completely though i suspect they may not be significantly different.
The results you have highlighted, generally show whether there is ongoing or recent damage to the liver. BLT discourages the posting of results to avoid misinterpretation because different labs have different values for what is normal. However, to me those look to be on the high side. If it were me, I wouldn't be wanting to see results like that persist.
If your results are high again after your retest you'll need to have an honest discussion with your doctor and take appropriate action. Life with significantly advanced liver disease is not pleasant. If you can do something to avoid getting there i suggest you do.
From what you say, you do seem to drink quite a lot. You may therefore need to work with your doctor to wean yourself off the alcohol. I'm sure there are others on here though who are better placed to let you have their experience of that.
hi there i found this link on the forum i just typed into the search box on the right top left where is says search british liver trust i got this link hope it helps.
Your results are high which could suggest many things like fat in your liver or inflammation. If your liver is inflamed it may swell and press on a nerve which could account for your pain. Abstinence from alcohol may bring them back down into the normal range but depending on the cause it may take between weeks and months.
Be concerned. Stop drinking. Make sure your doctor does the follow up.
Those are likely to be quite a bit above normal and need to be investigated. You can't be complacent about these issues.
The liver has a tremendous ability to recover and regenerate but it must be given time, space and support. There are also reasons other than drinking that may cause liver disease.
In your position I wouldn't panic but I would take it seriously. You must do whatever you can to come off drinking until your re-test. You should also ensure your doctors are aware of your prior drinking - they may add extra tests.
Got the results back from my second blood test 2 weeks ago. I had only been sober 2 days before this test. The Ast and Alt were even higher this time around. Had an ultrasound and was told everything looked normal. Im still pretty bloated, my palms are red and itchy (but i feel are losing a little of the redness now), and i get the occasional pain in my side under the ribs, especially when i first try to sleep on my right side, but it goes away. Reading posts on this group has really opened my eyes. I have completely given up the booze, cigs, and living on fast food with no intention of going back. We will see where this all goes. Thanks for the responses to my original question guy/girls. Happy Holidays !
I think it's right to be concerned but there's no need to panic.
I think it's important to understand that high enzymes mean your liver is being damaged but they can't establish how damaged it is or if it can get better again.
The BLT has some good resources regarding liver tests.
I'd lay off the booze completely until you have a clearer idea of what's going on. Your doctor might already have suggested that?
It's always good to push for an ultrasound to get a clearer idea of what's going on and if needed a fibroscan. But one step at a time.
While your liver might just get better after a few months of not drinking, it could also have some damage that might be chronic but that doesn't mean you can't get and feel better.
Speak to your doctor, get information from seven sources like BLT and NHS portals or other official healthcare sites from European or North American providers. Don't google stuff. You can google 'rash' and a website will tell you that you have six months to live...
Drink water, improve your diet, try to exercise if you don't...
Be kind to yourself and get checked out and whatever happens, there are almost always some options so don't despair. But stop drinking, at least for now!
Thank you for the response. I have spent some time reading on here and found out a lot of useful information. I have completely cut the booze out as well as my cigarettes and fast food that I lived on. I really got freaked out when my 2nd test came back with higher levels then the first test and then the bloating/pains under my right ribs sealed the deal for me on going sober for good. I was relieved to hear my ultrasound came back everything normal. I have started exercising every other day instead of being inactive like i used to be. I drink much more water and have cut my soda intake down drastically.
It is funny you mention stay off google. I have had several sleepless nights from self diagnosing myself on google. You are absolutely correct. I have learned you definitely freak yourself out and almost convince yourself you have this or that.
Again thank you for response I really appreciate the advice and guidance it helps !
It sounds like you're doing the right thing and the tests are alright so far.
Just chill and don't be too hard on yourself. One or two changes are enough. I find changing everything at the same time.
You'll be fine. Love yourself! And if sometimes you stray, don't think too much about it and just push on. While I'm not a doctor and ultrasounds are not definite, if it was clear, I think it's more likely than not than you don't have advanced liver disease...
You don't have to go crazy about being healthy. It's just little things and getting better at it.
Google drives me insane. I have a cold and I think I'm dying of pneumonia. Seriously, ignore it... I've spent so many sleepless nights because of it!
I'm happy you're working towards a healthier life. I guess we all are here... it's not easy but baby steps, right?
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