ALT high -panicking

[Waterhouse]

Hi,

I’ve been unwell with a virus, GP ordered a load of bloods. All came back as expected except liver enzymes, particularly ALT at 100.

This happened once previously few years ago, had an ultrasound which showed mild fatty liver, this led to a fibroscan which was normal with minimal cap score.

I had a CT with contrast last year for another issue, this said liver appeared normal, no mention of fat or anything else.

Bloods have been fine since, until this lot. GP wants me to make a routine appointment, first one available is New Year’s Eve.

I’m panicking badly and have gone off the deep end a bit. Christmas will be written off, I’ll just be worrying about this.

I take omeperazole daily.

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Thanks

[AyrshireK]

What a pity your GP can't offer an earlier appointment and explanation. Usual protocol with a set of elevated bloods would be to offer a repeat one in a few weeks to see if this was just a blip or whether there is a pattern of elevation .... if there was a pattern then more investigations would be warrantied.

It could just be that your recent bout of ill health with the virus could have caused your elevation of ALT - your liver does play a role in your immune system so this could be what's led to this recent elevation. It's not particularly high even at a 100 - scary levels can be into the many hundreds or even thousands.

I wouldn't get too stressed about it.

Katie

[Sunnyskies33]

Hi. The only time I've had elevated LFT's the doctor said I had a virus. It was around same level as yours and went back to normal within 5-7 days when virus was better. Twenty years later with NAFLD my LFT's are low 30's. I wouldn't worry but do follow up. In the meantime I would not drink alcohol and look up healthy liver diet on British Liver Trust so you can help it get back to normal. I also stopped taking tylenol for the fever because I worried it might be contributing.

[Aotea2012]

Try not to worry. If they are suggesting a New Year appointment then they aren’t. A virus can do all sorts of things to our bodies (just look at covid) and it’s often the case that our bloods become a bit out of kilter as our bodies are dealing with an enemy that it’s trying to defeat. Our liver is at the heart of that battle. If you really are concerned then explain to the practice and see if the GP can see you before Xmas. Failing that ask to see the practice nurse and run things through with them. I’m sure they’ll be able to reassure you. It’s time to be a bit assertive and put pressure on getting an appointment of some kind. Remember your mental health is important too and it’s going to suffer if you worry too much about this…so explain that.

[Waterhouse]

Thank you all for replying. I’ve managed to vary an appointment and bloods for next week. I’m just hoping the numbers have settled.

I had lipids done at the same time, as well as a full blood count. Everything was normal. HBA1C also normal.

[Aotea2012 in reply to Waterhouse]

Bloods can take a while to normalise so don’t get too unsettled if they remain a bit high. It’s the overall picture that your doctor will be looking at, not just individual raised results. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit your alcohol intake to give your liver a bit of a rest and this will help too.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Waterhouse

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday 9am to 3pm and Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Kingbilly3]

my alt went up from 40 to 90 thats was simply because I had been taking paracetamol for toothache it’s now back to 40

[Waterhouse]

Thanks for the replies.

I had an abdominal CT scan last year, for another issue. The report did the liver “was of normal size and attenuation”. I have assumed that means it’s not enlarged and not bright due to fat?

If the liver was in trouble would it show on a CT with contrast?

[Waterhouse]

but of an update. Had bloods done again, ALT came back as 85 this time. So still high but an improvement on last week.

GP also did a nafld fibrosis score, outcome was -2.39 which I’m assuming is ok as there was no comment added.

I’m still wondering if the elevation was a result of the virus I’ve had.

Thanks