WIll exposure to toxic chemicals casued HIGH SGPT, SGOT,GGT

  Dear Sir,
  After having did my annual general screening test, I was shocked to find
  to know the elevation in SGPT, SGOT and GGT from my last year results.
  My results :
  1997 SEP :  SGPT : 85, SGOT : 45, GGT : 29
  1998 OCT :  SGPT :112, SGOT : 48, GGT : 51
  A re-test on liver function tests :
  1998 DEC :  SGPT :210. SGOT : 122,GGT: 51
  Note : ALL other test results which include total bilirubin, Alkaline
  Phosphatase, albumin and globulin, Platelets are normal.
  So far, I had gone for Ultrasound of Upper Abdomen.
  Results : No abnormality seen in the liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys and
            pancreas.
  A further test on HEP A,B & C also gave negative results.
  Note : I don't smoke and drink.
  Since I worked in a chemical plant and tendency to be exposed to
  plastic products fumes, additive such as flame retardants etc are high.  
  1) Do you think my condition has something to do with my exposure to
     toxic chemicals?
  2) Is my condition serious?
  3) Is it necessary to do a liver biopsy or other additional test?
  4) My physician suggests I transfer out of the plant for 3 months and try to
     reduce weight and do the a re-test 3 months later. Do you think my
     condition can wait?
  5) Even if the level comes down three months later, does that mean
     I'm fully recovered already? Will there be any tendency to develop into serious
     liver disease problem in coming years of my life? By the way, I'm currently 29.
  6) I have plans to start a family this year but my condition is a great concern.
     Do you think I should wait till my condition is more stable before I start
     family planning?
  Thanks

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

_
Dear Kareen Chua
I appreciate your very complex situation.  Let me try to make some comments that might be helpful to you.  My understanding is that you have had isolated elevations in your SGOT and SGPT for over a year and that your serologies for hep A,B and C are negative and that an abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable.  I also understand that you work around toxic chemicals.  
The most important thing for you to have right now is a full and thorough evaluation of this problem.  This includes a full history of your case including a review of any medications or other substances you take, including alcohol and Tylenol, and series of blood tests to look for conditions that can cause liver inflammation.  In addition, the evaluation often includes a liver biopsy to determine the state of the liver and to look for causes of liver disease that we cannot identity with blood tests.  
It is always possible to that an exposure you are having at the work place could explain you elevated liver enzymes though it would be useful to know what some of the chemicals are and whether other people in your workplace have developed liver problems.  You might also want to contact the government OSHA office to establish that your employers are taking appropriate safeguards.  Finally, I agree with your physician that removing yourself from the workplace and observing the enzymes is one way of determining if the problem is work-related.
However, I certainly would not assume your elevated liver enzymes are related to exposure at work.  And certainly, I would rule out other causes of liver disease.  I cannot comment on your prognosis without a diagnosis or without knowing more about your liver disease.  I feel that you should be able to get a fair amount of information relatively quickly (over several months) about your condition and, if you are concerned, you could always wait till that information is available before starting a family.  
Good luck with your problem.  If you have additional questions or more information, feel free to post the material back to MEDHELP or you are always welcome to contact us directly at Henry Ford at [phone].  If you are in the Detroit area, you are always welcome to come see us.  We have an active group of liver specialists (hepatologists) and we see a lot of people for elevated liver enzymes.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  
I hope this information is helpful to you.