ALT 96

[Dopeydick]

Had blood tests done 3 weeks ago after feeling unwell for a couple weeks and all were fine except ALT of 96. I am not overweight and my bmi is in normal. range. I have always drank alcohol socially for many years (I am 50 year old female) perhaps sometimes more than I should. I actually started to feel much better a day after the blood tests so have put that episode down to a viral infection. I feel really well now no symptoms at all. I had my blood test on a Monday and had been to a party on the Saturday where there was lots of alcohol involved also I was taking ibuprofen and paracetamols for a bad back. My question is could it have been a combination of these that resulted in a high ALT. I have been googling like mad (I know I shouldn’t have 😱) and have scared myself silly because it all points to cirrhosis . I have another blood test booked In for 3rd June. I really knew nothing much about the liver before this but I could sit an exam on it now! Can ALT show high readings when there is no bad damage to liver? I have stopped drinking and have started a healthy liver pleasing diet since so will wait and see what next blood test shows up.

[Hidden]

Drinking alcohol while having taken ibuprofen and paracetamol was something you shouldn't do again because it places the liver under great stress.

Quoting from Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease:

"Taking two hepatotoxic drugs in combination can greatly increase the likelihood of liver damage compared with taking one hepatotoxic drug alone."

Given that it's only ALT that has risen and the rise is moderate you probably haven't done any permanent damage to your liver. If you regularly take ibuprofen and paracetamol for your bad back you are probably better off stopping drinking altogether but if you continue to drink socially then don't take the ibuprofen & paracetamol on the same day & avoid drinking for a while after the social occasion.

When you drink socially try to drink in moderation.

[Dopeydick in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for reply

It’s something doctors don’t tell you about not taking paracetamol and ibuprofen together!

I’ve stopped drinking alcohol altogether nowdays after my ALT results and have actually found it easier than I expected I have also not had ANY medicines at all, I want to se if by doing this for the 6 weeks till I get my next blood test if it lowers ALT then I will know for sure that was the cause.

I’m just using a bit of ibuprofen gel on my back(hopefully this alone is ok) and a hot wheat bag.

I will never take my liver for granted again, since reading up on it it really is a Ferrari of the organ world! There really should be more information to educate people into just how important this organ is and what happens if you abuse it.

[JamesNotADoc]

Hello, I had an ALT reading the same as yours, 96, a few days ago. One thought, might your back pain be related to your liver, is it at the same height? I’ve read that elevated ALT can be a sign of fatty liver, which can also mean that perhaps your liver is enlarged. Just a thought. I’m now trying fasting, joined a gym and cut out sugar, alcohol. Going to stick to that until I’m back well within safe range. I think for me it was eating too much sugar and wheat, I just shovelled it in not realising I was turning my liver to pate! Seems like a lot of positive life style changes that can help.