What does an increase in alt in liver function mean?

[Gina_K]

my gp just rang me to say my alt is up on liver function test this month should be under 35 and is 45. Having my op tomorrow, wonder has this any bearing. She said she will let rheumy know

Any thoughts guys?

[Hidden]

hi Gina the alt in my metx book says it should be under 50, the one time that mine was up at 43 was when i indulged in two glasses of red wine the night before the test. If you are on metx that can also put the alt up i think.

[Gina_K in reply to Hidden]

oops! 'says laughingly'

[LavendarLady]

H Gina, my MTX book says alt should be under 50 u/l and they are done to see how well your liver is working. You may have a slight infection which can cause it to rise or like Mads says, wine can do it as well. Mine usually is between 18 and 26 and fluctuates up and down between the two. My booklet also mentions that different path. labs often use different measuring symptoms as well which could account for the change from the previous test.

Let your consultant and anaesthetist know as well when you are being got ready for your op. If any special precautions needs to be taken as a result, they will organise it.

If your rheumy has any concerns about it, he will sort it out. Good luck with the op. LavendarLady x

[Paula-C]

In my MTX booklet is states that it should be under 50. My specialist nurse once told me that because of the drugs that we take they don't get worried until it goes over 70.

Mine normally is high teens, low twenties and I do drink the odd glass of wine or two.

Paula

[Gina_K]

Gosh, I often have a couple of glasses of wine, maybe that was it! had it done on a Monday and always have a glass with dinner on Sunday. i spoke to surgeons secretary this evening and she said to mention to anaesthetist tmoro.

NOT worrying now, what will be will be at this stage. 'sighs'

[julieporter]

I was also told under 50 was OK

Best of luck tommorrow - will be thinking about you

Take care

Julie xx

[Gina_K]

Maybe our measurement is a different scale here in Eire. She defo said < 35.

Would say i need to quit vino. Another pleasure bites the dust in the name of RA. :((

[helixhelix in reply to Gina_K]

At the beginning I kept myself to the odd glass here & there (or maybe more here than there...), but I started to find that I noticed that I often had more aches & pains the day after I'd had a drink. Anyway, I've practically stopped drinking entirely now, which is a real pain, but I think I feel better for it. I can now go for weeks & weeks without even thinking about having a glass so longer feels like a lost pleasure. And it saves money too!

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

i know what you are saying - As i am not on the heavy medication at present i feel like indulging as i know when i start the lefluomide there has to be no alcohol at all and i love the thought of a roaring fire and a glass of red but i suffer badly and i keep thinking ahh maybe tonight i will open a bottle but then i go to bed at 9pm instead. And i used to love my wine and its effects. Another lost pleasure...