Resolved question:
Dear Doctor,
I go in for blood test every 6 months.
1 year ago I was given a full screening (mri of the whole body, all blood panel test etc.).
Everything was fine including my liver.
I recently took new blood test and my doctor told me I had mild to moderate alat elevations but all othe liver results were fine. He ask my if my alcohol consumption had increased and I answered honestly, ´´yes".
He told me not to worry, just to cut back and we will retake the test in September.
After going online and researching I saw that this was a definite marker for cirrhosis.
I called him back and told him my findings and he told me abolutly not, that it is just a sign of over consumption otherwise all liver values would be raised and my liver was examined a year ago. I was not to worry.
I feel like he brushed off my concerns. What are your thoughts?
regardsPH
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Hepatologist
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.
I presume you meant ALT.
Raised ALT levels indicates hepatitis which means the liver cells are damaged. It does not indicate cirrhosis.
Some of the common causes of raised ALT levels are fatty liver disease, drug induced liver injury, viral infections etc.
Cirrhosis is a chronic disease and your liver panel will show the albumin globulin ratio less than one. Since you do not have any such thing it unlikely that you have cirrhosis.
If you are still apprehensive you can get a fibroscan done which will show whether you have cirrhosis or not.
I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Thank You,
I have now cut my alcohol consumption to a few glasses of wine on the weekend.
Can I hope for better result on my next test in September?
Regards,
PH
Yes, definitely. If you reduce your alcohol consumption considerably, you can expect the reports to be much better.
Regards.