Why alt levels high

Levels this high are described as deranged. While it may seem that a high ALT is all that is needed to diagnose liver disease, its relationship to AST can provide valuable clues as to what exactly is going on. It will also tell you whether the issue is acute occurring suddenly and progressing rapidly or chronic long-standing or persistent. If the liver experiences an acute injury, you can expect to see a sudden spike in the ALT. On the other hand, if liver disease is slowly progressing, the damage in the liver will gradually affect other organs too.

As these organs are damaged, the AST will begin to rise. This occurs with diseases like hepatitis C. It causes long-term liver damage that triggers symptoms involving:. These are referred to as extra-hepatic symptoms. Depending on which value is elevated and the amount of elevation, doctors can often get a pretty strong indication as to what disease is involved. Here are the general guidelines used to diagnose liver disease:. However, a disease cannot be diagnosed by the pattern of elevation alone.

How elevated the levels are also needs to be measured. This is described in multiples of the ULN. It is only when the levels are above a certain threshold that the ratio can be considered diagnostic. This measurement can point to liver diseases, but only if the enzyme levels are elevated several times above normal.

An LFT may be ordered:. An LFT can also determine whether a drug prescription or over-the-counter or an herbal remedy is causing liver injury.

If the lab test is processed on-site, the results can be returned within hours. Otherwise, your doctor will usually receive the results in anywhere from one to three days. Doctors can test these levels with a blood test. If you have elevated liver enzymes, it could be a sign that you have liver disease. AST is found in the liver, brain, pancreas, heart, kidneys, lungs, and skeletal muscles.

ALT is found mainly in the liver. If your AST levels are too high, it might be a sign of an injury affecting tissues other than the liver. High ALT levels may mean you have a liver injury. It could also be a sign that you have an infection or short-term illness. The ratio of the two enzymes can help diagnose specific liver diseases.

A high AST aspartate aminotransferase level can indicate a problem with your liver. However, it does not usually mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. It could be a side effect of medication. Very elevated AST levels can indicate hepatitis, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, heart problems, or pancreatitis. Levels that are double to triple the upper limit of normal are considered mildly elevated. In liver disease, AST levels can be 50 times the upper limit of normal.

The medical term for this is deranged levels. High levels of alanine transaminase ALT can indicate a liver problem but do not necessarily mean you have a health condition. Very elevated levels of ALT may be suggestive of liver damage from hepatitis, infection, liver cancer, or liver disease. High ALT levels may also be a side effect of certain medications. A small scale study from looked at the effect of changing lunch to a healthier option had on ALT levels in 10 males.

Compared to their previous lunches, people had The nutritional lunches contained:. A study found a diet lower in carbohydrates decreased ALT levels in adults who were obese and insulin-resistant. For a healthy liver, the American Liver Foundation recommend eating a balanced diet that involves:. Eating organic food, where possible, may also help the liver by reducing the level of toxins entering the body. A study found a link between higher levels of both low-density lipoprotein LDL and high-density lipoprotein HDL and elevated levels of liver enzymes in adults in the United States.

People can reduce high cholesterol levels through regular exercise and a healthful diet that includes:. Acetaminophen can damage the liver if people take too much of it. If it is necessary for people with liver damage to take acetaminophen, they should take no more than 2, mg per day.

People who regularly drink alcohol should avoid taking acetaminophen, or only have it in very small doses if necessary. According to the American College of Gastroenterology , some herbal supplements can also increase toxicity in the liver, including:. Excess iron or vitamin A can also be harmful to the liver in high doses.

People with high ALT levels should check with their doctor to ensure that any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies are safe to take. Alcohol can increase damage to the liver, so people with high ALT levels should avoid consuming alcohol to protect the liver from further damage. People who smoke should stop smoking, and others can try to avoid secondhand smoke to reduce the toxic load on the liver. People can also take care to avoid high levels of chemical toxins in the air where possible and consider using an air purifier in the home to remove excess toxins.

People can see their doctor for a liver blood test, which will show levels of ALT in their body. A doctor will take blood from the arm and send the sample off for testing at a laboratory. However, some researchers have recommended lowering the accepted amount for normal. This is because more people are developing obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and by reducing the upper threshold for normal ALT levels, doctors may be able to detect potential liver health issues earlier.

Following this recommendation, ideal levels of ALT are:. Very high levels may indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. Very low levels of ALT may also pose health risks and increase frailty. One study found that low ALT levels in people with coronary heart disease increased the risk of long term mortality. People can discuss their ALT results with their doctor to find out if their ALT levels are healthful, or whether they need to take steps to alter them.

High levels of the liver enzyme ALT can be a sign of liver damage. People can lower their ALT levels by making lifestyle changes, such as taking regular exercise and changing their diet. Increasing fiber intake, reducing saturated fats and processed foods, as well as consuming a range of nutrients from fruits and vegetables may all help to lower levels.

People can see their doctor for an ALT test if they notice any symptoms of liver damage to check whether their ALT levels are within the normal range. General enquiries: Appointments: Self-Pay: Contact numbers for service departments. Concierge service: International office: Invoice and payment enquiries: Make an enquiry. Registered in England and Wales. Company Reference Number: Cookie Settings. Enquiry form. General enquiries:. Search form.

Related consultants. Related conditions Cirrhosis of the Liver. Related treatments FibroScan liver health assessment. Liver Services The London Clinic provides access to the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease.

Liver services. What does an ALT test involve? What causes ALT levels to rise? Fatty liver disease: perhaps the most common cause in the UK, Europe, the USA and other affluent countries is fat accumulation within liver cells.

Fat can accumulate anywhere in the body, but when this happens in the liver cells, it proves toxic. Anyone who is obese, has type 2 diabetes, or a raised cholesterol level may be at risk for having fat within the liver.