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liver function test results

Sent to Health Experts December 31, 2005 11:15 a.m.

My ALT was 82 the other day and the rest were normal. I am on Lipitor 40mg and I do drink alcohol (red wine). I do not want to quite drinking all together but could the elevated ALT be serious or just due to my trigycerides being way high and the lipitor?????

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Male , Age: 37

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Answer
December 31, 2005 1:19 p.m. (2 hours and 3 minutes later)

REPLIED

Assuming your previous liver function tests have all been normal this very mildly elevated alt could be from the lipitor. because it is not greatly elevated (>2xnormal) your doctor may simply choose to repeat the level in a week. It would be important to limit your use of things like tylenol that can affect the livers function and to keep alcohol to a minimum. Generally you should be able to tolerate 1-2 glasses of wine per day without affect on the alt, however you may want to hold off wine until after your next blood test
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DrStephanie

S. Sarisky DO. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 505 Health Accepts
board certified family physician 12 yrs

Reply to Stephanie Sarisky-Meloy DO
Sent December 31, 2005 1:47 p.m. (28 minutes and 25 seconds later)

I have had abnormal ALT before and also very good results in between, the real reason for my question is I have a 14 week old son and I want to be around to watch him grow, can something like this develop into Cirrohsis, I do have pressure(not pain) on my right side and it scares the hell out of me, my Dr. does not seem concerned, please help!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
December 31, 2005 2:37 p.m. (49 minutes and 49 seconds later)

REPLIED

The alt is nothing to worry about until it elevates greater than 2 time normal

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DrStephanie

S. Sarisky DO. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 505 Health Accepts
board certified family physician 12 yrs

Reply to Stephanie Sarisky-Meloy DO
Sent December 31, 2005 6:46 p.m. (4 hours and 8 minutes later)

the normal ratio is 2-60 on my Diagnostic test, is that correct? What happens if the ALT is greater than 2 times normal, if so could I get it back down?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
December 31, 2005 6:49 p.m. (2 minutes and 26 seconds later)

REPLIED

when the alt is consistantly elevated greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal you need to be concerned that damage is occuring - if medicines or alcohol are causing the elevations then cessation of these should produce serial decreases of the alt every 48 hours (clearance rate for alt)

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DrStephanie

S. Sarisky DO. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 505 Health Accepts
board certified family physician 12 yrs

Reply to Stephanie Sarisky-Meloy DO
Sent January 01, 2006 7:10 a.m. (12 hours and 21 minutes later)

does that mean if alcohol or medication is causing the rise that if I quit both the liver can heal itself? Also, what is your view on the reference range I gave you 2-60?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
January 01, 2006 8:18 a.m. (1 hour and 8 minutes later)

ACCEPTED

often times when you remove the offenders the liver enzymes return to normal
referance ranges differ from lab to lab

__________________
DrStephanie

S. Sarisky DO. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 505 Health Accepts
board certified family physician 12 yrs

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