AST/ALT Ratio

[Moorose]

Hi I'm new here. I'm female, 25 y/o, 5'4, 220 lbs. I'm aware I should be checking with a doctor, which I did. I am just looking for a second opinion.

I complained of upper right abdominal pain and was sent for an ultrasound. Everything was okay except for "Increased Echogenicity in liver". I was then sent for LFT to check for non-alcoholic liver disease. I drank occasionally since 18 but stopped drinking since I turned 21.

My LFT results shows the following:

Globulin: 34 (G/L) [Range: 23-39]

ALP: 65 (U/L) [Range: 22-104]

Albumin: 45 (G/L) [Range: 35-50]

Total protein: 80 (G/L) [Range: 63-83]

Biribulin: 6.0 (umol/L) [Range: 5-22]

ALT: 12 (U/L)[Range: 10-36]

AST: 15 (U/L)[Range: 10-30]

So basically, my LFT is normal. Doctor says everything is normal and no further actions are required. However, what bothers me are the AST/ALT ratio (1.25) and the ongoing pain. Doctor said if I'd like, I could go for CT/Biopsy. Should I proceed? I have no insurance so I would want a second opinion before proceeding.

Other things to note is I have normal blood pressure, 95/58. Also, adult onset asthma - I begin using the purple inhaler around a year ago. I has slipped disc surgery last year April. I gained around 65 lbs of weight for the past 2 years + severe acne + purple stretch marks. I have small red spots on my breast. A black line on my nail. Lump on my head - occipital region (also sent to specialist but I didn't go). Pulsatile Tinnitus. Stools are floating and light brown with a bit of blood. I had haemorrhoids 5 years back so that might be the cause of blood.

Not sure if any of these information is important, just listing my history. I am still waiting for an appointment with an endocrinologist for these to diagnose pcos/cushing. Should I just focus on the endo and not see a liver specialist? I'm not well to do financially so I'm in a tight spot now. Basically, I am depressed cause of my weight gain and overall health. I can't do much exercise cause of the asthma and I look like a hippo now and I do have difficulty losing weight. Any kind feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

[Isabelle2]

Hi

You sound as if you might be in the US? I cannot help as none of us here are doctors. I hope you find the answer.

Isabelle

[Moorose in reply to Isabelle2]

Hi,

Nope, I'm actually Asian came looking for answers here. Our healthcare system is very expensive, getting an MRI would cost around $800 even when subsidised, and only 50% is claimable if hospitalised more than 2 days. Specialist visits would cost about $200-300 per consultation including the minimal medication. A private gp could go up to $100 just for a cough/flu, haha!

[Hidden]

Good afternoon Moorose,

No-one here is medically qualified to comment on test results.

It is difficult to guide you if you are not based in the UK as the healthcare system is different wherever you go.

I have attached the liver disease tests informaton from the British Liver Trust website which may offer some guidance.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Take care,

Trust9

[Moorose in reply to Hidden]

Hi, appreciate the reply! Will read up on the link, thank you!

[sophiaS1980]

Sorry, maybe no one is qualified to answer you medically BUT it doesn't matter where you from or where u live. , I do understand Healthcare might be expensive because it is here too but the healthcare is great here. Looking at your labs, maybe see your Primary care doctor, labs seem to be in range.

[Moorose in reply to sophiaS1980]

Hi yup, I will be having a second appointment this coming Tuesday, and I'm thinking maybe to not be too paranoid and just leave it as it is. Would heed the doctor's advice on just focusing on my hormones instead. Thanks!

[chrisw740]

Hello Moorose

It's really tough having to make decisions about your health when the high financial costs involved are a factor in your choices and an added anxiety. We are very lucky here in the UK. It's also rotten to feel the way you do about yourself. I hope that changes and you're able to be kinder to yourself soon enough.

Also this forum has a proud history of welcoming international members so do continue to join in... but do remember no-one is giving medical advice just feedback and support.

As for next step, it may be prudent to see what further tests you can afford that are likely to be of most benefit. Fibroscans are non invasive and are reasonably cheap compared to biopsy. With this kind of scan you will get some insight to whether your liver has fat in it and is showing signs of stiffness which may indicate fibrosis. An ultrasound could do similar (in a different way of course) and is a pretty good way to look at your liver and maybe cheaper than a CT scan .

You've been very honest about your weight and gradually working on that will only do good.

Finally, your in range liver bloods may not be the whole story but they are none the less a reassuring positive.

Best

Chris

[Moorose in reply to chrisw740]

Hi Chris, Fibroscan sounds good. But I think I might be over-paranoid and maybe I will just focus on losing weight with my endo first. Hopefully I will stop feeling depressed/anxious after sorting out my weight issues. And besides, I'm more worried about my weight more than other symptoms. Thank you again for the suggestion!

[chrisw740 in reply to Moorose]

Hey. Well that sounds like a positive plan. Keep the fibroscan in your possible future diagnostics but for now focusing on weight and your value will be a tremendous step towards a happier healthy you. Every lb lost will help. Good luck.

Very Best Chris

[sophiaS1980 in reply to Moorose]

I think you are right to do so because if it is liver related something will be out of whack, you see people all the time say that labs don't give the whole story when it comes to liver health, however, i think most are only talking about ast/alt which can be out of whack for all kind of reasons. Most don't consider their Albumin and platelets which are usually low in liver disease. Sounds like you have good doctors and good healthcare and able to see a doctor very quickly without a big wait time, if you go to your appointment on Tuesday, good luck.

[Moorose in reply to sophiaS1980]

Hi Sophia, yes we do have good doctors here! It's just that, I have too many health issues and don't know which to focus on but after some thought, I'm just going to stick to checking out my hormones to focus on losing weight, and hopefully the rest will fall into place. Thank you for the positive and kind reply!

[Splodge60 in reply to Moorose]

I believe there is a specific forum here on health unlocked concerning weight issues. Just check under different communities. I hope they are as helpful to you as the liver forum has been for me.

[Moorose in reply to Splodge60]

Hi there, yup, I will be sure to check the other forums. Thank you for the kind reply