Elevated ALT

[jsav]

I am a 36 year old female, who recently went for a routine physical. I didn't realize they were going to blood work that day. On the night before, I had been out drinking . And in the morning, I did not fast, ran six miles and had a handful of herbal vitamins before the blood test. They called me three days later to tell me that my ALT elevaled (66 ). They want me to get retested in a month and to abstain from alcohol just two weeks prior. I socially go out and drink, but should I just abstain all together. I requested a private blood lab (Direct Labs) to do  follow up blood test prior to my dr.'s own follow up. I was planning on abstaing from alcohol five days til the Direct Lab blood work? Any thoughts????.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

That seems to be a reasonable plan - as the herbal vitamins and the alcohol can raise the ALT.  

I would consider testing for hepatitis as well as obtain an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.

Repeating the blood test in a month after abstaining from alcohol would also be reasonable to ensure the elevation in LFTs is not permanent.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

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, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[sarikate]

A night of drinking can temporarily cause an elevated ALT, I'm pretty sure; the doc will probably corroborate this.  Do abstain for two weeks before the next test and you'll get a more accurate result I'm sure!