ALT higher then AST: Hello, I read in a... - British Liver Trust

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ALT higher then AST

Mike4423 profile image
17 Replies

Hello,

I read in a post that if ALT is higher then AST that would mean Chirrosis is that true. I was diagnosed with Nash With ALT 22 AST 18.If it was the other way around that would mean fatty liver.Recent blood test ALT 15 AST14

Thanks for your help.

Mike

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17 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

You'd need a scan to determine whether your condition had progressed to cirrhosis. Those figures reveal nothing as both your ALT and AST are within normal range.

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to AyrshireK

Ayrshirek,

I had an elastrography with ultrasound which report came back significant scaring.All other organs fine.Then they did a bunch of blood test which all came back normal.The only symptom im dealing with is that slight dull ache under rib.So They said i had Nash fatty liver with inflammation. So as you can see i guess i have to wait and see if i get any other symptoms. As per her directions i am losing weight and quit drinking 7 months ago.Although i have been dealing with gastritis so i wonder if the inflamed stomach might be pushing on my liver to get that liver reading.Im lost,Pretty much in the ocean with a life preserver.

Thank you for the reply.If i get anymore info i will post it.

Mike

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to Mike4423

If you had ongoing liver inflammation you would anticipate that the ALT and AST would be elevated so it looks good from that point of view (as yours are within range) but as you have scarring on your scan that would indeed indicate advanced fibrosis or tipping into the cirrhosis. You can have normal bloods even with cirrhosis providing there is no ongoing inflammation going on and the liver is stable as these.

All you can do is keep following your healthy lifestyle and hopefully that will make some positive difference.

Katie

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to AyrshireK

Yes i will keep doing what i am doing very confusing. She told me it was Nash 0-1 fatty liver. She based it on all the blood results.I asked her about the scan and she said that is just one piece of the puzzle need a bunch of pieces to conclude what is going on.I don't know why rib pain would just pop up now my take its scarred but Im not a doctor. Guess i will be retesting every 6 months for life.

As always thanks for the response.

Mike

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to Mike4423

That's all you can do, make the positive lifestyle changes and hopefully they will help prevent further progression. There is no treatment for either NASH/NAFLD or cirrhosis it's just about trying to control progression and perhaps reverse any fibrosis. Even early cirrhosis is now considered reversible. Have a read at the British Liver Trust page on NAFLD/NASH. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

It sounds like you will receive the necessary monitoring.

Katie

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to AyrshireK

Will do thanks again for the input.

Mike

in reply to AyrshireK

What is AST is it Aspartate. On my results list I only have alanine, bilirubin and alkaline. Also GGT.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

AST is aspartate aminotransferase. Not all hospitals will test for it, some do both the ALT & AST others like yours obviously do ALT and GGT. AST is not solely linked with the liver other organs, like your heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles, also make smaller amounts. AST is also called SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase).

in reply to AyrshireK

What is the most important one. Sorry to keep asking🙄

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

No idea, they all reveal different things and doctors know what they are looking at and talking about when they see results. Only ever seen one set of hubbies blood results in 8 years so we just go with what doctors tell us.

Katie

12souza12 profile image
12souza12

Just make changes to your lifestyle.. you'll be ok man... i had 282 ALT and 124 AST with Ferritin at 1149.... 35 years old. Made significant lifestyle changes and within 2 months the ALT is at 192.. AST 80... and Ferritin down to 870... its a slow road down, but I feel way better. I think you and your liver will to. You can reverse whatever you have before Cirrhosis. There is a lot of literature that advanced fibrosis is not reversible but none of them talk about whether patients that died were able to successfully make and maintain lifestyle changes or if they were just old and ran out of time. I have seen a lot of people talk about how they have gone from F3-F4 on fibroscans down to F1-F2. Cirrhosis, well thats another beast... but I have been told by Physicians, even at that point with successful lifestyle changes it can be managed to the point of living a normal life.

So for me, being F3 on my Fibro, it just simply comes down to making those lifestyle changes. I suspect the same for you.

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to 12souza12

You make a point on the case studies as it really depends on the person's dedication to change there life and some luck im guessing.Which i have determination but i need to get to your mind set which is here is the information know what are you going to do with it.Im still in the process of dealing with all the information coming in and trying to make a game plan.Also im still a bit nervous as it is an internal organ.Im great with broken bones or falling off ladders.But when it comes to this im not very strong yet.

Great post. That lifted me up which i need.

Thank You for sharing that.

Mike

12souza12 profile image
12souza12

btw those numbers would be fairly inconclusive. I think elevated AST/ALT that is higher than a 1 on a AST:ALT ratio would indicate potential cirrhosis or other possible issues as AST is not specific to the liver..

youngandworried profile image
youngandworried

Are you sure you’ve not got that the wrong way round? I’ve always read & been told that a higher AST than ALT is a potential marker for cirrhosis. Whereas a higher ALT than AST is more a marker for inflammation.

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to youngandworried

Hi There,

You might be right i emailed the doctor and she said the ratio only works when the numbers are elevated AST/ALT if there not elevated you can use the ratio for fatty liver or cirrhosis.Im not sure if that is true or not but that is what she said.I think i read one of your post and emailed her what you said.

I can relate to your tag

I might change mine to Oldandworried :)

Thank you very much for input.

Mike

Just worth mentioning that the AST:ALT ratio cannot be relied on exclusively in making a diagnosis, it is just a part of the jigsaw puzzle.

Your medical team are the ones who will fit the pieces together.

regards

Mike4423 profile image
Mike4423 in reply to

I concur with you. Im trying my best.It feels like i dropped the puzzle on the floor and the dog chewed up some pieces and i have to figure out how to put it together.

Thank you for the input.

Mike

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