elevated liver blood test

[Watersk]

I have just had blood test for a treatment I have for my MS and it came back with Alanine aminotransferase at 50 and Alkaline phosphatase at 177. These both high. This has never happened before. All other LFT’s were fine. Could this mean I have liver damage? I have no symptoms.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Watersk

This is a question that your own health care professional is best placed to answer, as only they have access to your medical records.

We suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional in the first instance.

Here is a link to some information on our website about preparing for future appointments, including questions to ask your doctor, which you may find helpful.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Watersk]

Thank you for the quick reply

But are you able to comment if these readings are very worrying ? I will see the GP but some feedback from this forum would really help me understand this better.

[Readlots]

Do you have the NHS Ap? If you do and you can get results that way there is a link to a website that explains your results. Just a word of caution though. Sometimes it’s better to get and discuss your results with your GP because they can explain the context and what might be happening. Sometimes medications affect your liver and when you stop or change the medication and your liver recovers. Sometimes it’s something else altogether like an autoimmune condition which can be treated. Definitely one to talk to your GP about. Hopefully they can reassure you.

[Greengal314]

hi there, ALP can be raised due to three things: liver, intestine, and bones. Each of those independently or together can contribute to it being high.

If you eat a fatty meal soon before the test, it can show high for the intestine section. Also, the bone fraction can be high if you have osteoarthritis (particularly in your knee - from what I read and I have) or rheumatoid arthritis. Liver disease can cause the liver part to be high.

I had mine broken down by each (I live in the US) . My liver and bone fractions were both high.

Now my ALP is normal, down to 95. My ALT has never been high. My AST was, but is down to 21 now.

I would talk with my doctor and maybe get it retested.

Hope this helps!

[Kristian]

Hi Watersk,

It's not too unusual for some medications to have a bit of an impact on the liver, probably all do in some way or form. This is known to GPs and specialists and its usually a case of just balancing the risks against the benefits over the long term. Indeed, in most cases no real impact is seen.

It's difficult to comment on results as no one here is medically trained, we don't have the full picture and reference ranges can vary. In my experience your levels appear to only be very slightly above what is considered normal, so its unlikely to suggest that anything too significant is occurring. However, this is something you should discuss with your GP just to make sure. Its important to understand what this means for you and whether or not they feel it may be necessary to alter your medication at all. They may be happy just to keep monitoring it.

Hope thats a little bit helpful. Do get that appointment with your gp.

[Woodystar]

I’ve had raised ALT levels for over 12yrs now. When it first started my ALT was over 100 and my GP sent me for ultrasound and retested my blood. Discuss it with your GP and see what your next steps are.

I was diagnosed with fatty liver NAFLD alongside other chronic conditions and have my blood tested every 6 months and the last couple of years my ALT has settled at around 45-48

[LorraineLouise]

It could be your medication‘s, causing your liver enzymes to be elevated. You must talk to the doctor about it.

Wishing you the best!

Lorraine Louise