When do AST/ALT ratios matter?

[Skymoonsun]

I received two blood tests this year that display my ALT as 59 and AST as 31, with a ratio of approx 0.5.

Do these values hold significance, given my ALT is only slightly out of the normal ceiling?

From what I have read, this is indicative of viral hepatitis. The thing is, my doctor didn't recommend further testing, as I do occasionally drink and have had very few sexual partners.

Due to one event a few years ago, however, I am kind of worried that I may have become infected with the virus.

I was just wondering whether anyone here was versed in this area and would be able to advise?

[AyrshireK]

The AST/ALT ratio only has any significance for diagnosis when these markers are substantially out of range and it is calculated when AST is higher than ALT and yours are elevated the other way round.

As you say ALT is only just above normal range and it can be elevated for any number of reasons and in no way confirms any sort of diagnosis (certainly not of viral hepatitis - only a specific test for that would indicate the presence of a viral hepatitis).

ALT can rise when your body is fighting any sort of bug or infection, it can rise if the liver is just grumbly or unhappy with something you've asked it to process - booze, fatty food. It can be elevated in all the many different liver illness and even in response to exercise.

A very minimally elevated ALT on one blood test is absolutely nothing to be concerned about but you'd want a re test some time down the line to see if there is a pattern of elevation or whether this was a blip. Liver doctors arn't going to get excited unless the elevation goes to something like 4 x upper limit of normal (and in many liver illnesses it can go into the 1000's).

If you were worried about potentially having had several sexual partners and risk from Hep B/Hep C these are simple tests to run and would require you to be honest with your doctor (or go to a sexual health clinic who may be able to run the blood tests).

Katie