Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Elevated Enzymes
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Elevated Enzymes
by JohnRosario, Mar 30, 2008 12:37AM
I just received notification from my life insurance company indicating that my liver Enzymes came back high. The AST was 75 and the ALT 155. Based on the research I have done, they are very high. Obviously I am very concerned for this, especially since I have two kids under 4 and a third on the way.
I am 34 yrs old, all my life I was active (Baseball/basketball, etc). I am 6'2" and weight about 198lbs. Due my schedule, I haven't exercised in a year or so and have to admit that my diet has not been the best either. I don't drink or smoke, and do not take medicine like Tylenol, etc. When I got my last policy (3-4 yrs ago) my enzymes came back normal.
I am not really what this means for me. Are there any chances I have liver cancer/tumors? What are the chances that my liver is permanently damaged? I know I don't have Hep C as the insurance checked on this already. One thing is that my father (age 71) passed away due to Hep C. My mother told me today she has a fatty liver as well as one of my aunts on my dad's side. My uncle (55) did not have the best past, and was recently diagnosed with liver cancer as result of Hep C.
About four years ago my triglecerides were quite high, about 450, a year later they went down to 250 after changing my diet, but I haven't checked them again. Any advise or help will be great. Thank you!
John
I am 34 yrs old, all my life I was active (Baseball/basketball, etc). I am 6'2" and weight about 198lbs. Due my schedule, I haven't exercised in a year or so and have to admit that my diet has not been the best either. I don't drink or smoke, and do not take medicine like Tylenol, etc. When I got my last policy (3-4 yrs ago) my enzymes came back normal.
I am not really what this means for me. Are there any chances I have liver cancer/tumors? What are the chances that my liver is permanently damaged? I know I don't have Hep C as the insurance checked on this already. One thing is that my father (age 71) passed away due to Hep C. My mother told me today she has a fatty liver as well as one of my aunts on my dad's side. My uncle (55) did not have the best past, and was recently diagnosed with liver cancer as result of Hep C.
About four years ago my triglecerides were quite high, about 450, a year later they went down to 250 after changing my diet, but I haven't checked them again. Any advise or help will be great. Thank you!
John
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 30, 2008 07:34PM
, Mar 30, 2008 07:34PM
Any variety of liver disease can elevated the enzymes. Hepatitis is not normally checked during insurance physicals.
I would test for this, as well as obtain an ultrasound to image the liver.
If the enzymes continue to rise, or the elevations persist, a liver biopsy would not be unreasonable.
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 patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
I would test for this, as well as obtain an ultrasound to image the liver.
If the enzymes continue to rise, or the elevations persist, a liver biopsy would not be unreasonable.
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 patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
