Thanks for the help. My doctor finally e-mailed me back today and he told me that if there was a serious problem with my Liver my ALT would have been much higher and not to worry about the ALT at this time. I'm going to change my diet and take the Cholesterol pills and get another blood test in a month.
Thanks Again.
Different labs can have different reference ranges. And men and women have different reference ranges.
I would rely on the values on your lab result sheet but even there it is marginally elevated - another test today might yield a normal result..
Cholesterol lowering drugs like the one you're taking - statins - can raise liver enzymes. My understanding is that cautious doctors get a baseline value for your liver enzymes and re-test in a month or 6 weeks to see what impact the drug may be having. Often there will be mild elevations which don't appear to cause any liver impairment but it's best to stay on top of this stuff. Sometimes, if the enzymes become elevated, a different statin can be substituted which obtains the desired cholesterol lowering without as significant an elevation in liver enzymes.
I'd talk with your doctor about it. If he's not interested I'd see someone else. Google "statins cholesterol" - this isn't mysterious - it's obvious.
An ALT of 35 isn't significantly elevated - it could very well be normal on another lab sheet. It, in and of itself, probably isn't cause for concern. But, in my opinion, you're smart to be concerned about the effect a statin might have on your ALT. And it's easy to check on it.
Good luck,
Mike
I just recently had some bloodwork done and the range for the ALT on their scale is 9-52, so your count of 35 is well within the normal range.
However, if you want to lower the reading, changing your diet and losing some weight very well may help. Also watch the amount of any acetaminophen you might be taking (if any), especially if you also drink alcohol.
Best of luck!
if you have heart disease in you family you shouldnt need me to tell ya to watch what your eating.you gotta try to cut back a little..help yourself..im sure they are gonna check your liver numbers in 2 weeks or a month..try helping yourself..dont rely on medicine so much..good luck.