AST/ALT Levels Elevated....

[cmartin2112]

I went to my Doctor for a routine physical and some standard blood work (CBC, Lipid Panel, Thyroid test, and Comprehensive metabolic panel) and unfortunately I got the results back saying that I had elevated liver enzymes but everything else was perfect... I don't understand why this happened I haven't had a drink in well over three months (was never a heavy drinker only the occasional binder on the weekends) and quit smoking a little over a month ago. I also don't abuse drugs (illegal or over the counter). The only thing I can think of is I took a Xanax about ten mins before the appointment (about 45 mins before blood work) and maybe that screwed my liver up??

Does this kind of thing happen for no reason? If there was something serious going on wouldn't my other blood work come back abnormal as well? I don't know... This has me scared as h*** and my anxiety is through the roof again... Anyways any insight is much appreciated... Test and other info posted below...

25 year old male about 5'8" 167lbs, have asthma, allergies, and severe health anxiety

SODIUM 139
POTASSIUM 4.1
CHLORIDE  100
CO2  24
CALCIUM  9.9
BUN 11
CREATININE  0.97
GLUCOSE  91
TOTAL PROTEIN  8.0
ALBUMIN  4.9
BILIRUBIN TOTAL 0.6
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE  51
AST  53
ALT  65
GFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN  >60
GFR >60  

[ctea]

Glad to see that all is well with you - the importance of follow-up can not be stressed enough in this forum.
Having blood work come back with levels out of the norm is not a good reason to freak out.
As you did, follow-up took care of your questions and relieved you of worry.
Even if your levels were indications for concern, it is premature to freak when the first few tests come back. Bodies ebb and flow, as do our lab test results. Reliable doctors always do follow up for the exact reason your doctor did for you - to see if a pattern is emerging.
I am very glad that you are well and that the results were an abnormality. Just for fun, the scare hopefully kept you off drinking and more aware of healthy eating and lifestyle, so that is a good lesson for us all. Peace and Wellness,
ctea

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I am glad to hear.  I hope it was just a fluke.
Take care
Dee

[cmartin2112]

Hi Dee,

Thanks for the reply! Well I got my updated results from my test a few days after this one and it looks like everything came back normal besides the ALT which dropped a little over 10 points but still slightly elevated. I also got screened for all the hepatitis and autoimmune stuff and that came back normal as well. The doctor recommended that I get retested in about a month to make sure everything falls back in the normal range...  As far as the other blood work everything was in the normal range from what I could tell (doc didn't mention anything about it either)... And no the only other meds I take are for Asthma (Qvar and Zyrtec daily)... Hopefully this was just a fluke result from taking just my meds that morning. Anyways, here is the updated dated results tell me what you think...

TOTAL PROTEIN  8.2
ALBUMIN  5.0
BILIRUBIN  0.7
BILIRUBIN DIRECT  <0.2
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE  52
AST  32
ALT  53

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I don't have the range for the AST and ALT for your lab, but they appear to be slightly elevated.  Any thing can affect it through I would not think one xanax would do so  If you had had a drink the night before I would say that could have caused it.   Are you one any anti depressants?  That could cause it. Your other numbers look good.  Did they check your platelets?
Did the doctor say anything about it?
You could wait a few months and have it tested again if you are worried.
I would keep an eye on it.

Take Care
Dee