AST and the UK

Hiya. Does anyone know why in the UK or at least those I've encountered, generally check ALT and ALP on lfts, but not AST?

[carefull1]

Hi. I have asked this question to my gastro. She said it's none specific. Which I believe means that it's can relate to other things. I am not sure. I wanted it for the calculation.

[Hidden in reply to carefull1]

So If either Alp or Alt were risen do you think they would test AST for ratio?

[carefull1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Not sure, I just shared my experience with you. I don't think they are that concern about the ratio. Not many GP know about this as much. R u in UK?

[Hidden in reply to carefull1]

Yes

[Hidden]

Hi,

I am UK, I get my ast checked as well as alt and alp when they do my monthly blood check.

Angela x

[CarpeDiem11]

I get all these results, but for my condition AIH, the ALT is the most useful. The AST can be raised due to muscle damage, including the heart, so from that point of view it is not specific to the liver.

[Thehermit]

As already mentioned the AST is not specific to only our live

but to other muscle, just as ALP can relate to either liver damage or liver disease such as blocked bile duct or certain bone disease. Who knows why different Doctors request different blood tests, half the time I don't, think they do themselves lol. In my case my Doctor requested all the usual LFT,s except for the one that I found most useful GGT. I spoke to the liver nurse who quietly offered to tick the correct box so my GGT was tested and my GP has never been the wiser. In fact, at my last appointment she rattled through my numbers and congratulated me on my still falling GGT levels!. It was so, so hard biting my tongue. I had been used to using my GGT numbers while I firstly came off the alcohol, and then took the Hep C treatment. Watching those inflammation numbers slowly coming down was a great comfort, and inspired me to keep going. It felt so good to think my badly inflamed liver ( over 75+ on fibro scan ) was fighting to recover. If it matters to you that you have a certain test, even if technically it,s not required nor considered reliable then ask. Peace of mind is always worth a few extra pennies. My Doc now happily goes through my LFT,s results with me, she is always pleased that my general inflammation levels or GGT continue to fall and has no idea that she never asked for that test. If you want to know more about your LFT,s then I would make out a list of all my questions, and perhaps book a double appointment which means 20 minutes not 10 (wow! ) You may get more out of a visit to your nurse rather than the Doc, I find out heaps during my blood tests!. Sorry for the waffle, I,ve just noticed CarpeDiem answered your question very clearly and concisely in about 2 sentences lol. X

[Hidden in reply to Thehermit]

A lengthy reply is always appreciated. I've not had raised lfts, just liver pain. I just noticed that both my bloods contained everything but AST and just wondered why.

[CarpeDiem11 in reply to Thehermit]

Ah but you made a good point. If you are concerned about a result that isn't being done then ask and they don't usually have a problem checking it, especially if it puts your mind at rest! Also, I agree that the nurses will explain more fully bloods or even other issues than the docs, so you have definitely added to the discussion, sometimes brevity isn't always what people want!!!

[Thehermit in reply to CarpeDiem11]

Love the name, it brings back fond memories of my old girls school, our motto " Sieze The Day ".

[ballie52]

I don't get ALT done on my routine bloods every 6mths and I'm in the UK.. normally it's AST Bilirubin Albium and Alkaline phosphate !

Plus routine full blood count!