Elevated Enzymes Concern - pls help

[ksilv]

Hello -

I had a physical a couple of years ago and my liver enzymes were elevated. The Dr. did not seem concerned at all and said I should completely abstain from any type of alcohol for 30 days and re-test.(I am not a heavy drinker, but do enjoy on average a drink a day (beer or wine) with dinner...and sometimes 2 on a weekend night). I did not have a drop for 30 days and my enzymes returned to very close to normal and the Dr. let the matter drop......I have still always been a bit concerned.

Monday, I had another physical and everything turned out very well except for my enzyme levels; again!! I have not been drinking heavily and have not drank heavily since my college years about 8 years ago - like most college students!!

Anyway, here are my statistics:

ALT........100
GGT............95
Biliruben..........1.9

All other ezymes and parts of blood test were completely normal. Of course, I've been doing extensive research on the web and am scared to death....the problem is my physician does not seem concerned at all.........it was me that was more concerned and asked to see a specialist. He thinks that would be a good idea just to put my fears to rest, but I'm truly scared that there could be something wrong -

I am 29 years old
5'9"
185 lbs

I feel great and excercise, etc........no symptoms whatsoever except for the elevated count. I'm seeing a specialist this month but would love to hear anyone's thoughts.

Thanks so much!!

Ksilv

[Yezinki]

Hi there,

Raised serum ALT along with GGT, usually point to alcohol ingestion.

ALT levels are usually raised if any hepatoxic agent is present in the body like regular alcohol ingestion, Hep & other Viruses, some drugs etc.

Are you on any regular medication for some other ailment?

If I were in your place would request my doc to do a complete lab work & imaging to exclude all possible causes.

Take care.

PS: I apologize about my poor english.

[Kalio1]

There are too many things that can raise enzymes, you cant get a definate answer on the net. seeing a liver doc is the answer to find out definitively what is going on, most regular docs just dont have the experience in specific things like this, try to get a referral. I just mentioned two common things that reaise LFTs aside from alcohol. I am certainly no doctor, just a patient who has a liver problem and knows how scary it is to hear your liver is under stress. Great news if you were tested for heps and all were negative. You can get to the bottom of this and correct it, try not to overworry it, hard as that is. You can start today improving your nutrition and cutting the booze, both excellent things for your liver and toos to bring down those LFTs. Keep in mind, if it IS from drinking then you can correct the problem easily by stopping the booze. If you find you cant stop, then face it and get some help because you are awful young to be having a drinking related health problem. I used to drink until the day I found out my enzymes were up and it freaked me out and I havent had a drink since, so if you are like that it shouldnt be too bad. Down the road when you have this solved, drinking in MODERATION (less than 2 a day) should be ok.
I just really think you should see a liver specialist,it will ease your fears a lot I think and you will get to the bottom of it.usually takes a month or two to get in so be patient. Id cut out the alcohol while you wait to see the doc, eat a good diet, exercise and test again in say 8 weeks. Be a good idea to get an ultrasound of your liver, they can check for fatty liver ( which thin people can also get) and masses and tumors so that can be ruled out. I  believe aloohol makes fatty liver worse
I dont know how much you drink but if it is strictly from drinking too much then stopping drinking and retesting it should have been normal. Are you taking any meds? They too can raise enzymes so double check the meds you take, if any are not liver friendly, have the doc adjust them. Are you on an AD? Some of them can affect enzymes too. Also supplements or other Over the counter products people take can also raise your ezymes. Dont freak out yet, but that is a pretty high GGT and elevated GGT can be related to heavy alcohol use.
Good news is, you are young and can change your habits and reverse damage you could have caused until now and your body is young and resilient.
hang in there, good luck

[ksilv]

Thank you so much for you reply, this board is so helpful. I was tested for Hep the first time this happened (2 yrs ago) and everything was clean....since the enzymes came down the second time I tested I think the Dr. decided to let it drop.

I'm concerned that I have either a very sensitive liver or a problem going on that I want to address asap - 29 seems a bit young for these issues, especially given that I've never had an actual problem with alcohol. I love the glass of wine with dinner and a beer with buddies, but if it will severely hurt me I have no issues with cutting it out of my life completely.

My doc did mention that GGT sometimes is elevated with alcohol use - although I have no clue why ALT (which I know is liver related) and biliruben would also be elevated. Are there any common(or rare) issues that you know of that would result in the elevated ALT, GGT, and biliruben and everything else being normal....also in your opinion are these numbers severely high or moderately high? Again:
ALT - 100
GGT - 95
BI - 1.9

Thanks so much for your comments, I just found out I am going to see a liver specialist on June 14th, I just wish I could get in sooner; my doc assures me this is not an emergency but I get scared on this stuff very easily!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

[ksilv]

Thank you so much for you reply, this board is so helpful. I was tested for Hep the first time this happened (2 yrs ago) and everything was clean....since the enzymes came down the second time I tested I think the Dr. decided to let it drop.

I'm concerned that I have either a very sensitive liver or a problem going on that I want to address asap - 29 seems a bit young for these issues, especially given that I've never had an actual problem with alcohol. I love the glass of wine with dinner and a beer with buddies, but if it will severely hurt me I have no issues with cutting it out of my life completely.

My doc did mention that GGT sometimes is elevated with alcohol use - although I have no clue why ALT (which I know is liver related) and biliruben would also be elevated. Are there any common(or rare) issues that you know of that would result in the elevated ALT, GGT, and biliruben and everything else being normal....also in your opinion are these numbers severely high or moderately high? Again:
ALT - 100
GGT - 95
BI - 1.9

Thanks so much for your comments, I just found out I am going to see a liver specialist on June 14th, I just wish I could get in sooner; my doc assures me this is not an emergency but I get scared on this stuff very easily!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

[Kalio1]

Have you beeen checked for Hep C? I'd be screened for Hep , a b and c. Many people have hep c and do not know it, nor do they have past IV drug use experience. They have no idea how the contracted it. If it was me, I'd do that first to rule that out and also have the doc che check you for a condition called "fatty liver"
those conditions can cause raised enzymes and no other symptoms like you are experiencing. Id rule those out first. Might be a good idea to seek a second opinion from a Heptologist or a Gastroentrologist. I also wouldnt ignore it even if the doc says it is no big deal, keep trying to get a diagnosis until you get an answer. Id stay completely away from alcohol until you know what is going on.
good luck

[Kalio1]

Yes, the wait is LONG but you are smart to do that.
To them it isnt an emergency and that right there should ease your fears. Worry if they rush you in LOL
Have a good time, I was pleasanty suprised how easy it was to keep enjoying life as usual without alcohol compared to how I thought it would be before I did it. Nothing like a test reading that high to take the joy out of drinking. Have fun in Vegas!