Re: Can ALT levels 170's with no bad result without meds

[Guest guest]

High ALT levels are usually associated with some type of liver damage, although

sometimes the difficulty isn't with the liver.

Do you have some reason to suspect you have AIH, specifically?

You say that you have no bad results without meds. I assume you mean that you

aren't feeling bad. Elevated test results, of any kind, can be an early warning

sign before symptoms develop.

What does your doctor say about your situation? Are you seeing a GP, a GI, or a

hepatologist?

The Subject Line indicates ALT levels in the 170s. What about your AST levels?

How long have test results been elevated? Do you have any physical problems that

you know of? Are you taking medications of any kind?

Have you had tests to rule out other problems? Have you had a liver biopsy?

While there's some individual variation in everything, and results can be

different even from lab to lab, I certainly wouldn't ignore elevated ALT/AST

tests. You are well above the " normal " range for ALT. That's telling you

something, although it may not be clear immediately just what.

If you definitely have AIH, you don't want to delay treatment. Virtually

everyone with AIH needs to have standard immunosuppressive treatment. The

mortality rate without it is extremely high, while those who respond to it can

look forward to a normal lifespan.

It's good to keep a record of all test results, and to write out your questions

ahead of time. Print them and give your doctor a copy. Keep a file of them, with

the answers, in your computer.

Keep in mind that I have no medical training. You need to talk to your doctor(s)

about this.

Best wishes.

Harper

AIH dx 2000

[ ] Has anyone heard of high ALT levels 170's with no bad

result without meds

I wanted to know if someone has had elevated ALT levels without any

immunosupressive meds and what was the outcome. Is there a camp out there that

feels high levels of ALT is not necessarily Autoimmune hepatitis, and a natural

level for an individual without longterm complications.

Just a question!

[Guest guest]

I know you are not a doctor but I am looking for possible alternatives, or are

there non out there?

Here is my last report from my doctor, any alternative thoughts?

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS: The patient is a 26-year-old female with a history

of elevated transaminases for at least one year. Abdominal ultrasound was

unremarkable. Serologic testing showed a markedly positive ANA and elevated

gamma globulin with a negative antismooth muscle antibody. Other serologies were

all negative. Liver biopsy was performed showing chronic hepatitis with stage I

fibrosis, overall consistent with autoimmune hepatitis without any confluent

necrosis. Her most recent liver enzymes show an ALT of 172 and an AST of 103.

Other enzymes nor al, The patient complained of intermittent severe fatigue but

otherwise is asymptomatic. The patient previously told me that they had no plans

to have other children for a few years.

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: None.

ALLERGIES: No known drug allergies.

REVIEW OF SYSTEMS: As above, In addition, the patient notes a circular, red area

of dry skin at the site of her liver biopsy. This almost looks like an allergic

reaction, perhaps to her topical lidocaine. It is gradually resolving per her

report.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: VITAL SIGNS: Blood pressure 110/70, pulse 64, weight 125.

GENERAL: This is a pleasant female in no acute distress. The remainder of the

exam is deferred today.

IMPRESSION: Autoimmune hepatitis. I had a detailed discussion with the patient

and her husband today regarding all of her findings as well as the prognosis and

natural history of autoimmune hepatitis with and without therapy. We also talked

in detail about therapy with prednisone and azathioprine. I recommend starting

with lower dose prednisone, given her early stage disease and relatively low

liver enzymes, using 10 mg of prednisone daily along with 50 mg of azathioprine.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. As above. The patient and her husband wish to discuss things a bit further

and then get back to me, They may wish to seek a second opinion before

undergoing treatment and I have suggested that they be seen at Mayo Clinic. I

will check a TPMT level in preparation for potential

>

>

>

> High ALT levels are usually associated with some type of liver damage,

although sometimes the difficulty isn't with the liver.

>

> Do you have some reason to suspect you have AIH, specifically?

>

> You say that you have no bad results without meds. I assume you mean that you

aren't feeling bad. Elevated test results, of any kind, can be an early warning

sign before symptoms develop.

>

> What does your doctor say about your situation? Are you seeing a GP, a GI, or

a hepatologist?

>

> The Subject Line indicates ALT levels in the 170s. What about your AST levels?

How long have test results been elevated? Do you have any physical problems that

you know of? Are you taking medications of any kind?

>

> Have you had tests to rule out other problems? Have you had a liver biopsy?

>

> While there's some individual variation in everything, and results can be

different even from lab to lab, I certainly wouldn't ignore elevated ALT/AST

tests. You are well above the " normal " range for ALT. That's telling you

something, although it may not be clear immediately just what.

>

> If you definitely have AIH, you don't want to delay treatment. Virtually

everyone with AIH needs to have standard immunosuppressive treatment. The

mortality rate without it is extremely high, while those who respond to it can

look forward to a normal lifespan.

>

> It's good to keep a record of all test results, and to write out your

questions ahead of time. Print them and give your doctor a copy. Keep a file of

them, with the answers, in your computer.

>

> Keep in mind that I have no medical training. You need to talk to your

doctor(s) about this.

>

> Best wishes.

>

> Harper

> AIH dx 2000

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Has anyone heard of high ALT levels 170's with no

bad result without meds

>

>

>

>

>

> I wanted to know if someone has had elevated ALT levels without any

immunosupressive meds and what was the outcome. Is there a camp out there that

feels high levels of ALT is not necessarily Autoimmune hepatitis, and a natural

level for an individual without longterm complications.

> Just a question!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>