Slightly elevated AST

[ccmomm]

Good Morning,

During this years routine physcial, my doctor noted that my ast level was slight elevated 42 (test was normal to 40). She asked I get retested in one month, and suggested if it was elevated at that time they would screen for Hep B, C etc.

I am a worrier, but am trying to recount the facts. In december at end of third trimester, they tested me for abnormal liver function (thought i had hellp) all came back normal, additionally I had liver ultrasound which was normal. I had regular bloodwork for the last 6 years, (two pregancies) all have been normal ast/alt.  During a hospital stay in 2009, for abdominal pain they checked my liver to be cautious that was normal then too.

Given the amount of tests done almost exactly 6 months ago, is there need to be seriously concerned about the elevated ast? I have been teste for Hep B numberous times for pregnancies always negative. I dont have any major risk factors for hep c (had tatoo in 1999 at licensed established biz).

Thank you in advance.

[HectorSF]

WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/aspartate-aminotransferase-ast?page=2

Slightly high levels of AST may be caused by:
*Fatty deposits in the liver.
*Alcohol abuse.
*An overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). People who drink alcohol and take a lot of acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can also have high AST blood levels.
*Many medicines, such as statins, antibiotics, chemotherapy, aspirin, narcotics, and barbiturates.
*AST levels may be high when a disease first develops, which is often when tissue damage is most severe. Decreasing levels of AST in the blood may be a sign of recovery from the disease or injury.

Many other conditions, including severe burns, traumatic injuries, pulmonary embolism, or heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and ingestion of poisonous mushrooms may cause elevated AST levels.

Hector

[frijole]

nygirl is right.  Just get the hep C test to get the peace of mind.  YOu probably don't have hep C but find out.  

[nygirl7]

Your enzymes are hardly elevated at all which is good.  But they are not necessarily an indicator if something is  going on - people can have normal enzyme levels and still have advanced liver disease.

try to stay calm but get the HCV test done. It seems as if they have spent alot of time looking at your liver - ultrasound being clear just means you dont have tumors or cancer but it wont let you know if you have fibrosis. So get the test done for peace of mind.

PS Just because a tatoo place is licensed doesn't mean very much. Plus many people have hcv who have never done drugs or had transfusions or even tatoo's.

Your probably fine but I would get tested anyway.