Dispirited after blood test. Is my ALT and AST going to stay higher forever?

[Monicka]

Hi everybody! My ALT and AST levels are higher for 5 months now. Since then I adopted really healthy diet, no drugs or alcohol at all, I’m not overweight, I exercise regularly. I had two ultrasounds and one fibroscan done this year, all of them came out ok. No fibrosis, no scaring, everything perfectly normal (4,2 kPa, 170 db) according to doctors. Yet my liver enzymes seems to go up steadily regardless my lifestyle (limit in our country is 0,52 for both

September 2020: ALT: 0,30 and AST:0,43

January ALT:0,64 and AST: 0,63

February ALT: 0,74 and AST: 0,72

March: ALT: 0,77 and AST: 0,66

The doctors keep saying don’t worry, the values are ok, it’s normal, no need to change anything, no diet required. But I’m not sure and I do worry. I read all the stories here about people who say they wish they had known earlier. So should I just trust doctors and let it be? I mean eat healthy but not so strict? Have wine occasionally? I would like to have just one glass a week. Or keeping be really strict even it’s not working? Watching everything I eat, avoid sugar and alcohol completely? I’m confused.

I would be gratefull for any ideas, suggestions, experience. I know you are not doctors but listening to your opinion helps a lot. Thanks

PS:I’m scheduled for another blood test in 3 weeks. This time I try not to be so strict with my diet and have wine occasionally. Let’s see what happens. I’ll keep you posted😉

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Monicka, just one quick thought. have you been tested for hepatitis viruses? An infection can raise those values over time and more rare auto immune issues can show up that way as well so it may be worth asking your docs about other stressors like those.

Wayne

[Monicka in reply to nash2]

Hi! Thanks for your answer! But first thanks for this website! It’s GREAT! I’m so happy to be member of this community!I’m scheduled for another standard bloodwork on April 6. And then another on April 26 when I’m getting all kinds of hepatitis checked. I’ll let you know. Also I’m having another elastograph today. I’ll let you know too. The doctors generally keep saying that it’s nothing. I have seen a few already but none came up with any idea.

[Monicka in reply to Monicka]

So fibroscan today was ok although a bit worse than last time: January 2021: 4,2kPa, 170dB/m

March 2021: 4,5kPa, 196dB/m

I went to a different place this time so it might be the reason for change.

But I think there’s something going on with my liver, something bad, and it’s probably beyond my discretion. Despite whatever I do the values are worsening for 5 months now. I have another blood test in 3 weeks. I’ll try to forget about it meanwhile. I’ll eat healthy but not obsessively strict. I may have a glass of wine too. Let’s see what will happen.

[nash2 Partner in reply to Monicka]

Hi Monicka

That isn't really a change in the stiffness score. Just normal variation between tests. You could have two in a row and get a similar difference so whatever is causing you difficulty it isn't likely to be related to fibrosis based on those scores. Hopefully your blood work will lead you to an answer.

Wayne

[Ihavebigfeet]

Have you been tested for genetic disorders, after years of being told don’t worry about the enzymes by the fam doctor I insisted on seeing the GP who tested me first for Ferritin levels, I was off the chart. Since then I’ve been tested for and diagnosed with hemochromatosis which is genetic and went undiagnosed to long and has caused cirrhosis, I’m going well with the proper diet and treatments. I would recommend however staying off the alcohol especially if your not fully sure what’s going on