I have an alt level of 118. Test was taken 5 days after drinking alchohol could that be the cause?

Answer 1

Alcohol could cause an elevation of your ALT, but I would suspect other causes given the amount of time between your consumption and the test. Generally, unless you already have liver problems ALT won't go up much with alcohol, unless you drink an awful lot or combine it with other hepatotoxic substances (liver poisons) like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Alcohol and Tylenol together can certainly cause problems. There are a variety of other substances and viruses (like hepatitis) than can cause elevations too. You need to get this checked out by your doctor. A minimal isolated elevation of ALT is probably not dangerous.

Generally, if you remove to toxic substance your liver should recover with no problem. Best to have this monitored by your doctor, and no more alcohol until you have been given the all clear.

Answer 2

ALT


Also known as: Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, SGPT
Formal name: Alanine aminotransferase
Related tests: AST, ALP, Bilirubin, Liver panel email this page

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The Test
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How is it used?
When is it ordered?
What does the test result mean?
Is there anything else I should know?


How is it used?
The ALT test detects liver injury. ALT values are usually compared to the levels of other enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), to help determine which form of liver disease is present.


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When is it ordered?
A physician usually orders an ALT test (and several others) to evaluate a patient who has symptoms of a liver disorder. Some of these symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, unusual weight gain, and abdominal pain. ALT can also be ordered, either by itself or with other tests, for:

persons who have a history of known or possible exposure to hepatitis viruses,
those who drink too much alcohol,
individuals whose families have a history of liver disease, or
persons who take drugs that might occasionally damage the liver.
In persons with mild symptoms, such as fatigue or loss of energy, ALT may be tested to make sure they do not have chronic liver disease. ALT is often used to monitor the treatment of persons who have liver disease, to see if the treatment is working, and may be ordered either by itself or along with other tests.



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What does the test result mean?
NOTE: A standard reference range is not available for this test. Because reference values are dependent on many factors, including patient age, gender, sample population, and test method, numeric test results have different meanings in different labs. Your lab report should include the specific reference range for your test. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss your test results with your doctor. For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.


Very high levels of ALT (more than 10 times the highest normal level) are usually due to acute hepatitis, often due to a virus infection. In acute hepatitis, ALT levels usually stay high for about 1–2 months, but can take as long as 3–6 months to come back to normal.

ALT levels are usually not as high in chronic hepatitis, often less than 4 times the highest normal level: in this case, ALT levels often vary between normal and slightly increased, so doctors typically will order the test frequently to see if there is a pattern. In some liver diseases, especially when the bile ducts are blocked, when a person has cirrhosis, and when other types of liver cancer are present, ALT may be close to normal levels.

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Is there anything else I should know?
A shot or injection of medicine into the muscle tissue, or strenuous exercise, may increase ALT levels.

Many drugs may raise ALT levels by causing liver damage in a very small percentage of patients taking the drug. This is true of both prescription drugs and some “natural” health products. If your doctor finds that you have a high ALT, tell him or her about all the drugs and health products you are taking.