elevated liver enzymes

[ankh151]

Since 2002 my ALT and AST levels have been elevated. The most recent reading taken 4/1/08 was ALT: 71 and AST: 42.  I have had one ultrasound in 2004 and a liver biopsy that same year and it was found that I have slight fatty liver.  My doctor wants me to go for another ultrasound. My doctor said she is concerned about the length of time that my enzymes have been out of the normal range and wants me to have the ultrasound and then go back in 6 weeks for another blood test.  I cannot figure out what is causing the enyzymes to be out of the normal range and even when I've been able to lose weight and get my cholesterol levels down the enzymes don't go back to normal, although they did decrease a little.  Does anyone else have this condition?  If so, have you figured out what is causing it?  I fear cirrhosis of the liver.  My doctor said she can put me on some type of medication to help this but I hate taking medicines.  I'm already on Lipitor and she just increased my lipitor today to 40 mgs.


This discussion is related to Mildly Elevated Liver Enzymes.

[rasticle]

I'v had elevated liver enzymes for several years too.  I'v had a biopsy and ultrasound and everything inbetween.  They haven't found anything wrong with my liver.  My doctor said he isn't worried about sense the biopsy came back normal, but he just wants to keep an eye on it to make sure the levels don't increase dramatically.  I think that some people just have higher than normal levels of these enzymes in their system.  If you have had it for a few years and you don't have any symptoms then it probably isn't anything serious.  I mean your liver is a very important vital organ, if something was truley wrong, you would have serious symptoms by now.

[cuddles1]

I am a 56 year old female and I too have had slighly elevated liver enzymes off and on for several years. I've had two ultrasounds done and nothing was found except a cyst.  I have recently had an abdominal CT scan done since I have been quite ill with persistent nausea, fatigue, stomach pain and pain under the right ribcage since Nov.  I possibly have pancreatitis or gallbladder disease, just guessing until the results are in.  I am seeing a surgeon in a few weeks and will probably be having an endoscopy and possibly a colonoscopy.  If you are feeling well your liver is probably okay.  The internal medicine doctor I went to thought that my elevated enzymes might be  due to my stomach med for gastric reflux.  I am on pantaloc and it can raise the liver enzymes.  If it is just slightly elevated it may return to normal on its own.  Some of my bloodwork shows that it is normal periodically.

[ankh151]

Thank you for your input.  I am scheduled to go for another ultrasound on the17th of April.  Hopefully everything will be ok.  I know that I have to lose weight and perhaps that is causing the enzymes to be higher than normal.  I am still scared though. My doctor said having elevated enzymes may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and that scared the life outta me.  Please pray for me and I will pray for you both. Thank you again.  Donna