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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
high alk and sgot
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
high alk and sgot
by ccleather, May 25, 2002 12:00AM
i recently had some bloodwork done and the test came back with an alk phosphatase of 171 a sgot of 40 an albumin of 5.1 which are all considered high. my physisian is of no help as my alk has been high for years. background: i had my gailbladder removed and a complete hystorectomy 15 years ago. i've always had pain in the gailbladder region, stomach distress and recently ibs. i also have been told i have fibromialgia (fibromyalgia). now i don't have health insurance so multiple tests are out of my budget. i'm going to a new doc. next month what should we be looking for. do these tests send up a signal of a certain condition? i have not enjoyed good health in fact 10 years ago i was bedridden for over a year with because they couldn't find any other cause cronic fatigue syndrom (syndrome). my ebstein barr test at that time were over 700.+ i really try to take good care of mysel. i'm 48, 5 foot 4 132 lbs. i take some vitamins and try to be physically active. i have't felt well in years. help!
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, May 26, 2002 12:00AM
Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
Lets first review the blood levels.
Alkaline Phosphatase 171 - (Normal range 20-70 U/l) Possible causes for this increase include liver disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism or other illnesses which cause increased calcium deposition in bone.
SGOT 40 - (Normal Range 8-20 U/L) Causes for this increase include liver disease, muscle trauma, pancreatitis or kidney problems.
Albumin 5.1 (Normal range 3.5-5.2) I would consider this to be in the normal range
You mention you have had a choecystectomy (GB removed) and a hysterectomy.
You need to have blood tests to check for thyroid or parathyroid problems, liver or kidney problems as well as a blood test to check for hepatitis and pancreatic function. Common bile duct stones can cause pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and may be associated with pain, particularly after a fatty or large meal. The stone(S) cause obstruction of the normal flow of bile from the liver and can therefore cause elevations in liver functions. This would be something best evaluated by a "Gastroenterologist".
Also, be careful with vitamins and other "herbal" supplements. Vitamins, by and large, are safe however, I have seen more than one case of an over the counter "herbal" medication or "alternative" medication (Metabolyfe and KavaKava come to mind) which has caused elevations in liver function tests.
Chronic Fatigue syndrome is associated with previous exposure to Epstein Barr Virus. On occasion EBV may be associated with some mild liver function test elevations.
I would be willing to work on you with this until you get some answers and begin to feel better. Consider stopping by my site at www.NetLiveMD.com. Here I can also work closely with you in developing a "plan" to help you get to feeling better.
I am sorry to hear you have been ill for so long. I hope this information proves helpful in getting you started.
Lets first review the blood levels.
Alkaline Phosphatase 171 - (Normal range 20-70 U/l) Possible causes for this increase include liver disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism or other illnesses which cause increased calcium deposition in bone.
SGOT 40 - (Normal Range 8-20 U/L) Causes for this increase include liver disease, muscle trauma, pancreatitis or kidney problems.
Albumin 5.1 (Normal range 3.5-5.2) I would consider this to be in the normal range
You mention you have had a choecystectomy (GB removed) and a hysterectomy.
You need to have blood tests to check for thyroid or parathyroid problems, liver or kidney problems as well as a blood test to check for hepatitis and pancreatic function. Common bile duct stones can cause pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and may be associated with pain, particularly after a fatty or large meal. The stone(S) cause obstruction of the normal flow of bile from the liver and can therefore cause elevations in liver functions. This would be something best evaluated by a "Gastroenterologist".
Also, be careful with vitamins and other "herbal" supplements. Vitamins, by and large, are safe however, I have seen more than one case of an over the counter "herbal" medication or "alternative" medication (Metabolyfe and KavaKava come to mind) which has caused elevations in liver function tests.
Chronic Fatigue syndrome is associated with previous exposure to Epstein Barr Virus. On occasion EBV may be associated with some mild liver function test elevations.
I would be willing to work on you with this until you get some answers and begin to feel better. Consider stopping by my site at www.NetLiveMD.com. Here I can also work closely with you in developing a "plan" to help you get to feeling better.
I am sorry to hear you have been ill for so long. I hope this information proves helpful in getting you started.
please help