Hey Strype.
Good luck on your exam dude. Hope you hear good news.
My results were very similar to yours (AST=118, ALT =175). In this range, it's so difficult to diagnose the causes, without ultra-sound or biopsy.
Good luck and Godspeed with your liver biopsy today, Strype! Let everyone know what your diagnosis is if you get one?
Take care of yourselves and each other!
Thanks for the help ladies and gentlemen.
My doctor and my specialist both agree that it looks like Hemochromatosis. I am scheduled for a liver biopsy monday, Dec 1. I will begin phlebotomies the following friday.
I'm awaiting genetic testing results.
An Ultrasound definitely. There are several conditions that would cause your liver enzymes to rise. You could have developed fatty liver, for one. You might have developed an auto-immune disease that could be an issue. Before you consent to a liver biopsy, ask the doctor to test your AMA to rule out Primary Billiary Cirhosis. Ask him for a short term run on Prednisone to see if that brings the enzimes down, he might consider Auto-immune Hepatitis, which is non- viral and not contagious.
Patsy
Hepatitis negative
My doctor suspects Hemochromatosis. I suspect Focaline XR.
I agree with the ultrasound as the next step. It will determine if there are any anatomical causes for the elevated liver enzymes, as well as exclude fatty liver.
Serial measurements of the enzymes can be considered to ensure they don't continue to rise. A liver biopsy would be the definitive test, and can be considered if the diagnosis remains elusive.
I also agree with the blood tests to evaluate for viral hepatitis.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd
Sorry one more thing, I have been diagnosed with ADHD. I started Focaline in June. I am taking 20mg right now. I never drink until a few hours after it's worn off. My doctor says the ADHD would explain the cigarette addiction (and I'm sure the others)