Elevated Liver Enzymes

[miss01]

My doc. did blood work on me and I am freaking out and want to know what it means. Lymphocytes= 50H...osmolality, calc.=274L...ast=63H...amalase=141H. Doc sent me in for abdominal ultrasound and everything came back normal. I am on birth control pills and doc thinks this could be a reason my levels are elevated. Next month doc is retesting blood and checking for Hepatitus (hepatitis)! I am freaking out! What do you think the problem is and what excactly do these numbers mean? I have had alot of ovarian cysts in the past year that have ruptured, one resulting in surgery. Do you think my hormone flucation is causing this? I have also been on and off the pill 3 times and on the morning after pill once in the past 1.5 years. Please help me to understand this, I am very concerned.Thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The AST and amylase are elevated.  The first is an indicator of liver function, and the second an indicator of pancreatic inflammation (although the pancreas can uncommonly raise the AST level).  

I agree with the ultrasound to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.  Many types of liver diseases can raise the AST level. Blood tests to rule out hepatitis is recommended.  I would also abstain from alcohol.

The amylase is raised from pancreatic inflammation, most commonly from alcohol use or a gallstone.  The ultrasound can help with the diagnosis.  

The oral contraceptive being the cause is possible, however I would rule out other causes first.

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.
kevinmd_

[CarmenB]

Hi -I'm a 37 year old female, 5'6", weight 117lbs.  I am very concerned about my liver results.  I have had them check twice since Jan and they have gone up first time AST 89 & ALT 134, just this past week AST 167 & ALT 210.  I maintain a low fat diet and exercise regularly.  I stopped drinking all alcohol and pain medications for 6 weeks or so since my blood work in Jan.  I was never a heavy drinker, did use a lot of Excedrin for a back pain I was having.  I do not know why they are going up.  I had an ultrasound done and everything is normal, I had hepetisis when I was little and was just tested again and came back negative.  I have also been tested for Mono with negative results.  I have an appointment w/ a GI on April 17, but I am really worried and do not know if I should wait that long.  Any advise?  I am now following more of a vegetarian diet which I did in the past just cutting out meat/dairy and just eating fish, protein and veg.  I do not feel any pain, maybe a little disconfort on the top of my stomach, but not sure if it's nerves from not knowing what is going on.  Thank you for any advise you can provide me