I had a blood test monday and had an elevated level of ALT....68 to be exact.......My doctor said that if I consumed alcohol before the test that could be the reason. I drank a few beers the day before the test is that why my level was 68? Or could it be another reason? Do I have to stop drinking completely for the levels to return to normal if that is the reason?
2007-03-26 11:07:41 · 0 answers · asked by snipe211 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is found mainly in the liver, but also in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas. ALT formerly was called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).
ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or diseased. Low levels of ALT are normally found in the blood. However, when the liver is damaged or diseased, it releases ALT into the bloodstream, which makes ALT levels go up. Most increases in ALT levels are caused by liver damage.
The ALT test is often done along with other tests that check for liver damage, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin. Both ALT and AST levels are reliable tests for liver damage.
Why It Is Done
The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is done to:
Identify liver disease, especially cirrhosis and hepatitis caused by alcohol, drugs, or viruses.
Help check for liver damage.
Find out whether jaundice was caused by a blood disorder or liver disease.
Keep track of the effects of cholesterol-lowering and other medications that can damage the liver.
High values
Very high levels of ALT may be caused by:
Recent or severe liver damage, such as viral hepatitis.
Lead poisoning.
Drug reactions.
Exposure to carbon tetrachloride.
Decay of a large tumor (necrosis).
Shock.
Mildly or moderately high ALT levels may be caused by:
Mononucleosis.
Hepatitis. The ALT level in a person with hepatitis can be 20 times the normal value.
Alcohol dependence. People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol and take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can have high ALT blood levels.
Mildly elevated levels of ALT may occur in people who are growing quickly, especially young children.
Slightly high levels ALT levels may be caused by:
Cirrhosis.
Liver cancer.
A heart attack.
Thyroid disease.
Polymyositis.
Severe burns.
Injury to the pancreas, kidneys, or muscles.
Vigorous exercise.
Many medicines, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, aspirin, narcotics, and barbiturates.
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
Taking medicines. Talk with your health professional about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking. You may be instructed to stop taking your medicines for several days before the test.
Taking some herbs and natural products, such as echinacea and valerian.
Strenuous exercise, injury to a muscle, or injections into a muscle.
Recent cardiac catheterization or surgery.
What To Think About
The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value is often used along with the results of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test to obtain the AST to ALT ratio. This value can often help determine whether there is damage to the liver related to alcohol dependence. For more information, see the medical test Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST).
In children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), very high ALT levels may mean that the disease is likely to progress rapidly.
Many different conditions can raise ALT blood levels. Therefore, other testing is usually needed to interpret an abnormal ALT result.
2007-03-26 11:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by juneaulady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-05-18 07:52:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
High Alt Levels
2016-10-05 10:42:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-09-18 09:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alt 71
2013-12-11 09:44:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know anything about the levels, but call either your doctor or the lab that did the processing. Some labs have a different scale than others. I would refrain from drinking alcohol and taking un necessary medications (illegal drugs or Advil in excess). Ask your doctor (or whoever you speak to) what this means and what you can do. And don't freak out. Worrying accomplishes nothing, but taking precautions is helpful.
2016-03-17 02:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many things can cause elevated ALT-drinking alcohol, taking medication that affects the liver (cholesterol medication, tylenol) the day before the test.
Normal levels are 30-65 so 68 is by no means dangerous to you. If you recheck it in a few weeks it could be back to normal.
2007-03-26 11:19:48 · answer #7 · answered by mrs_m_06 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
normal range
from 0 to 33.
2015-06-24 08:57:38 · answer #8 · answered by Kawarti Osman 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋