My liver ALT and AST are elevated, what should I do?

Question

ALT = 248 U/l (normal is 35 max)
AST = 409 U/l (normal is 30 max)
Alk Phosphate = 300 U/l (normal is 120 max)
GGT = 181 U/l (normal is 40 max)

I just got my results yesterday and had a brief discussion with my doctor, he is sending me to a specialist. But he didn't say what I should do, and i forgot to ask.

Do I stay in bed? Can I go to work? Should I avoid any foods or medicines like paracetamol? How can I help my liver?

Answer 1

You can work. Do not drink alcohol or take paracetamol. You should call your doctor in the morning and make sure he knows all of the medications you are taking.

I do not think you are in liver failure, but there is evidence of some sort of liver damage.

Answer 2

Your test results do not indicate that your liver is not working properly, the results indicate that something was damaging your liver at the time the test was taken. A normal liver can sustain some pretty major damage and eventually recover. You can do anything you want, but you should stop taking any type of medicine that causes liver damage.

Taking paracetamol before a test can cause these results in a lever that is perfectly healthy. You might be a person that should not use paracetamol, if it turns out that this is the reason for the elevated enzymes. Using the medicine can also mask an actual liver problem.

If you took paracetamol within 48 hours preceding the test, you should let your doctor know this. They will probably want to retest you when you have not been taking this drug, and even if they don't suggest retesting, you should insist on another test after you have had a week or two with paracetamol, alcohol, or any other substance that damages your liver.

Answer 3

you should not take paracetamol, cause it is metabolized in the liver => makes your markers even worse.
i do not think that you need to stay in bed. the levels are elevated, but the cause needs to be determined.
your body can handle these levels for a while, but you should def get that checked out by a specialist!
do you take vitamins or any proteines (food supplements for e.g. weight lifting)? these supplements might harm your liver a lot! stop taking them will help you.

when taking other medication regularly (such as paracetamol), liver levels are also elevated.

besides that, there are several deseases (like hepatitis, an infection of the liver) that can increse the markers.

i cannot tell you what you have. if you are concerned, contact your doctor, and see the specialist.

good luck