Liver and Alcohol Intake

  On a life insurance test, I encountered high SGOT (52) and SGPT (99) numbers. On re-test, several months later, the SGOT
  went down to 41 and SGPT to 81. Just prior to each blood test on a Monday or Tuesday, I had coincidentally had very rich
  meals and several glasses or wine and cognac after dinner the prior weekend. From reading this forum and other sources, I
  have no other symptoms of any kind. I will, of course, retest after totally abstaining from any alcohol. Just to assuage some
  fears prior to my scheduled MD visit, however, my question(s) are:
  (1) Could a three day earlier spike in alcohol consumption generate higher numbers alone?
  (2) Assuming the numbers are indicative of alcohol-related liver damage (I otherwise consume 1-3 servings of alcohol 4-5 days
  per week), and assuming for this question that there is in fact liver damage, can the liver damage naturally "heal" and if so, what
  can I do to help it.
  (3) Assuming the liver "heals" through a combination of care which includes total abstinence from any alcohol, is ther some point
  in time that I might resume drinking even one glass of wine with a meal?
  (4) In light of the news coverage that alcohol -- in some moderation appears "good" for some parts of the body, what type(s)
  of alcohol are acceptable and what amounts are considered "moderation" so as not to cause liver damage which might be
  manifested in higher AST numbers?
_______
Dear JBK,
1) Yes, liver tests can increasde after a brief binge of even modest amounts of alcohol.
2) If alcohol is the cause for the elevated liver tests, cessation of alcohol ingestion will allow the liver to heal.
3) Once the liver tests normalize providing presumptive evidence that alcohol is the underlying cause for the problem, then you can restart small amounts of alcohol.  Remeber that alcohol is a poison to the liver cells even in small quantities.
4) There is a lot of literature describing different alcoholic beverages being beneficial for heart problems, vascular problems.  The benfits may be overstated.  No one can define moderation for you.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask specific questiosn to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: alcohol, liver tests
0.2