Liver Test Results

[perrin]

I recently had some blood work done for a life insurance form. Everything came back great except for my liver enzymes:

AlkPho: 71 (normal)
Bili Total: 2.5 (high)
AST: 39 (slightly high)
ALT: 57 (slightly high)
GGT: 26 (normal)

I have had other tests before with my physician and the results were similar. He did hepatitis screens and they came back negative. I have not had any alcohol in 6 months, although before that I would drink fairly often - sometimes at parties and get-togethers pretty heavy. I have noticed that lately I've had changes in bowel functions: looser stools sometimes, and they are "wetter" for lack of a better term. Not diareah, but sometimes it feels like there is a leakage or something and I'll wind up staining my shorts some. Thought I was just getting older. My weight is normal, but I do not exercise as much as I should. I probably drink too much caffeine (3-4 cups a day).

I did have something going on with my prostate a few months back and was on Levaquin for 2 weeks (sorry don't remember what it was). However, I've had test results like this before.

I'm 38, and I'm just wondering what this could be from. My physician basically said don't worry about it. However, I want to know what it is. For all I know it ould be the start of something bad, not to mention the cost of my insurance premiums going up because of it.

Thanks for any info,

perrin

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are several causes for asymptommatic hyperbilirubinemia (elevated bilirubin with no symptoms).  They can include any liver disease, biliary obstruction, diseases causing an increased production of bilirubin or inherited disorders of bilirubin metabolism.  

The test of choice would be an abdominal ultrasound followed by an abdominal CT scan if the ultrasound is negative.  The hepatitis screen is a good idea.  If the imaging scans are negative, you may want to discuss these tests with your physician to make sure that there is no underlying liver disease:
- Serologic tests for viral hepatitis (which has been done)
- Measurement of antimitochondrial antibodies (for primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Measurement of antinuclear anti-smooth muscle (sm), and liver-kidney microsomal (LKM) antibodies (for autoimmune hepatitis)
- Serum levels of iron, transferrin, and ferritin (for hemochromatosis)
- Serum levels of ceruloplasmin (for Wilson's disease)
- Measurement of alpha-1-antitrypsin activity (for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency)

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

Bibliography:
Chowdhury et al.  Diagnostic approach to the patient with jaundice or asymptomatic hyperbilirubinemia.  UptoDate, 2003.

[surgeon]

I'd say a bilirubin of 2.5 needs an explanation. It's not dangerous per se, but there's a long list of possibilities. If it were me, I'd want a specific answer. That would probably mean seeing a gastroenterologist; it might mean having a liver biopsy, which usually is done with a needle and is a pretty simple, low-risk thing.

[gans99]

HI

I had a LFT done in Aug 2003.The resilts were the same as in the first patients case.
Bilurubim 1.8
SGOT 95
SGPT 75
Rest in normar range.

In fact the readinds before 1 year was a litte less like
Bilurubin 1.8
SGOT 75
SGPT 55

LFT done 4 months before also revealed a slightly higher levels.

My doctor in US tells me I do not have to do a Liver biopsy for this unless I have symptoms like Yellowness of eyes or loss of apetite etc.
The problem I have is dyspepsia and Gas in stomach,that makes me eat less , have bloating especially in morning,but I am hungry in 2 or 3 hours.Sleep is disturbed.
If I swim for 30 min in the night I am able to eat well.Otherwise it is always GAs in the stomach.

Doctor advised me to eat only food that do not give gas.Can you suggest vegetarian foods that wil not produce gas?

Thanks in advance

Ganesh Iyer

[ali_in_ireland]

I am 30, been complaining over gallbladder attack for 10 yrs now. They took out my gb in 1998, with two big stones. since then, more attacks, every year, around same time. ive had mri, mrcp, ercp, es, every test possible, still haven't found out whats wrong. latest lft report : ggt @ 850, alt @ 939, ast @ 489, bilirubin 189. you think you got problems !!! join the club

[Jbirdee]

My husband had a blood test about four months ago with elevated liver enzymes.  Unfortunately, I do not have the ranges or what his show.  He has been itching severely for about 2 years, beginning on his hands and feet.  He was diagnosed with a low thyroid production and put on Synthroid.  He has high cholestrol and is on Zetia (10 mg.) Clarinex (5 mg) and Levoxyl (0.1 mg.) all 1 time per day.  The itching on his hands has now become splitting skin and painful.  Someone he knows looked at his hand and said "I know what that is..it's a liver problem"  When I asked, he said that he does have dark urine.  Anyone know what is going on here....he has been seeing a doctor.  He sees his PCP on Monday, but I can't wait to research this...it's driving him crazy.

Thanks, Janette