High SGOT Levels

For the past week I have had a fever.  It has gone as high as 104.1, and low as 100.9 degrees celcius.  Mostly it has been around 102.
I went to urgent care with the symptoms of the flu, no jaundice or abdominal pain, just high fever and aches in all muscles and joints and no appitite.
Blood work came back with white blood cells low and my SGOT (ASST) as double the high end of normal.  The Dr. told me I have a form of Hepititis (hepatitis), but didn't seem concerned.  I went to my PCP and he said I don't have Hep, but my levels are not to be concerned about.
I'm not sure which Dr. to believe, and I'm scared I'll infect a loved one or child.
What other deseases or illnesses can cause such a result?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[DeeA]

An inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus.  

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Alternative names
Acute viral Hepatitis A; Viral hepatitis  

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The disease is transmitted by contaminated food or water, or contact with a person ill with Hepatitis A. The Hepatitis A virus is shed in the stools of an infected person during the incubation period of 15 to 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness. Blood and secretions may also be infectious. The virus does not remain in the body after the infection has resolved, and there is no carrier state (a person who spreads the disease to others but does not become ill).

The symptoms associated with Hepatitis A are similar to the flu, but the skin and the eyes may become yellow (jaundice) because the liver is not able to filter bilirubin from the blood. The incidence is estimated at 125,000 andamp;#8211;200,000 total infections in the U.S. every year.

Risk factors include chronic institutionalization (nursing home or rehabilitation center), recent Hepatitis A infection in a family member, and recent travel or immigration from Asia, South or Central America.

Other common hepatitis virus infections include Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus.


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Prevention
Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with an affected person's blood, feces, or any body fluid.

Daycare facilities and other institutions involving close contact with people may be more susceptible to rapid transmission of Hepatitis A. Thorough hand washing and good hygenic practices before and after each diaper change, before serving food, and after using the restroom can help prevent institutional outbreaks.

Immune globulin should be given to all close contacts of people with Hepatitis A.

On February 17, 1995, the FDA licensed a new Hepatitis A vaccine called Havrix. It is recommended for people who travel frequently or have long overseas stays. The vaccine is administered in two doses, and the second is received 6 to 12 months after the first.


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Symptoms
jaundice
fatigue
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
low-grade fever
pale or clay colored stools
dark urine
generalized itching

[DeeA]

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SGOT: Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase and/or AST


standard reference ranges:

males: 5.0-40.0 IU/L

females: 5.0-33.0 IU/L


conditions that can exhibit an increase in SGOT:

Acute MI; Biliary/liver disease; Acute pancreatitis; Musculoskeletal disease (Muscular dystrophy); Rheumatoid arthritis; Asthma; Brucellosis; Parasites, occasionally; Essential hypertension; Alcoholism; Miscellaneous (tissue injury: surgery, irradiation; stroke; Congestive heart failure).


SGOT falsely elevated in:

Calcium dust in the air; Drug therapy (opiates, erythromycin, penicillins).


conditions that can exhibit a decrease in SGOT:

Vitamin B6 deficiency (especially if it is a woman on birth control pills); Liver congestion (sluggish liver syndrome); orchic or ovarian hypofunction.


SGOT falsely depressed in:

Diabetic ketoacidosis; Beriberi; Severe liver disease; Uremia; Chronic hemodialysis.


conditions with normal values of SGOT:

Congestive heart failure with liver involvement; Pericarditis; Coronary insufficiency; Angina pectoris.


SGPT = Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase and/or ALT = Alanine Aminotransferase


standard reference ranges:


males: 7-46 IU/L

females: 4-35 IU/L


SGPT levels follow SGOT but less so in MI, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer; more so in liver death and acute hepatitis.


IBIS Medical Software:
Clinical Resources for the Healthcare Professional.
[phone]
Integrative Medical Arts Group,Inc.
4790 SW Watson Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
fax: [phone]

[DeeA]

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