ALT score

[Claytown333]

Good morning, recently a blood test revealed a alt score around 77, Doctor advised diet and alcohol reduction, however still taking statins is this correct??

[Daytym]

should stop alcohol at all cost. I’ve been a an alcoholic most of my life haven’t had a drink since2016. It has prolonged my life. Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis in 2018. Had 2 operations. One to remove a large tumor. In 2019 operations to remove stones I pancreatic duct. 2023 after years of test in 2023 was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis. Even though it’s the end I’m happy I know what’s going on. Never give up. Love feverishly. I’ve been in hospital now 4 two 1/2 weeks. Nose bleed. Liver is bleeding. Had operation to stop bleeding.

[BritishLiverTrust12 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Hi Claytown333,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for posting.

With regards to your question, nobody on the forum can advise on medication. This is a question that your own health care professional is best placed to answer, as they understand your health best.

Therefore, we suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Claytown333 in reply to BritishLiverTrust12]

I see probably 99% of people are asking a question,My mistake I just saw heath unlocked and thought maybe I could get an answer.

[AyrshireK in reply to Claytown333]

That's the standard reply when folks ask about medications because only your own doctor can advise on that score. But, your ALT is a little elevated (not massively so) and it's sensible advice to keep an eye on your diet, alcohol intake etc. and retest in a little while. ALT can rise for all sorts of reasons and it's best to take care of the things that are in your power to do so. As regards your statins, obviously they will be prescribed due to concerns about cholesterol and implications on long term health - heart attack and stroke risk. I believe it is standard procedure whilst on them that they keep an eye on any knock on liver effects from the statins. (Both my parents are on them and they have to have regular bloods to make sure there arn't any unwanted side effects).

Do what you can with your alcohol and diet and retest in a few weeks/months and see if there is any pattern to the ALT elevation but it isn't too high at the present time - doctors only tend to flag it as an issue when it is 3 to 4 times the upper limit of normal (when it is an issue you see ALT into the 100's or even 1000's).

Katie

[Claytown333 in reply to AyrshireK]

Stopped alcohol totally and on good diet, what I have noticed is that alt started to rise last June which coincided with a higher dose of atorvastatin, previous to that it was 45 early June.

[AyrshireK in reply to Claytown333]

Worth asking the question of your doctors if this ALT rise is continuing. It's not massive but you want to check for your own peace of mind.

Katie

[Claytown333 in reply to AyrshireK]

He did say to carry on taking them but I just get the feeling that the higher dose could be the problem,I will go and see him again just to make sure.

[AyrshireK in reply to Claytown333]

Stopping alcohol & eating more healthily might bring down the ALT. If it does you know it's potentially not the statin but obviously if it's still elevated that might point to the statin but then you've got the issue of a very marginally elevated ALT and a medicine which you are on to prevent stroke etc. Eating healthily and cutting out booze will also help prevent long term health issues including liver issues and protect your heart & reduce stroke risk.

[Milmol14]

When I had high ALT on a blood test I was told to stop statin for three weeks and have another blood test. ALT was ok on second blood test so my statins were changed to a different one.

[river111]

I had a blood test for my liver and also to check on cholesterol level. I have cirrhosis and I recently went for a CT scan to see if I had lung cancer. My doctor sent me a text saying the liver results were very good and so was my cholesterol at 3.3. I was asked to make an appointment to start on a statin. She said that the guidance had recently changed and a statin was the new normal even if cholesterol is good.

I hope this reassures you.