Marirose
11-05-2006, 04:45 PM
Hi everyone - I hope someone here can help me. One of my brothers recently died in an alcohol induced coma after years and years of heavy drinking. His death prompted my youngest brother to get a liver panel done b/c he has been a moderate drinker for the last 20 years. The doctor just called him and told him that his ALT/AST levels are normal and he has nothing to worry about. My question is, if these levels are normal, does that mean your liver is fine? I just can't imagine that 20 years of moderate drinking would do absolutely nothing to your liver, but maybe I am just too worried. Does anyone understand any more about what these results mean? Thanks for your replies, Marirose
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danielm
11-05-2006, 05:21 PM
The AST and ALT levels are liver indicators. When your liver is struggling, it releases these enzymes into your blood stream and that's what is picked up in your blood tests. If his AST/ALTs are normal, then usually you don't have anything to worry about.
That said, he can get a 2nd opinion if he wants.
That said, he can get a 2nd opinion if he wants.
Marirose
11-05-2006, 05:25 PM
Hi Daniel - Thanks for your helpful reply. Best wishes, M
tsohl
11-08-2006, 12:07 PM
Hi Marirose,
The liver is one of those miraculous organs that has the ability to regenerate itself. You can even cut part of it off and it can regrow. It can withstand processing "poisons" (alcohol among them) as long as it is not overwhelmed and given more to process than it can handle. The tests are an indicator of the state of the liver...how well it is functioning in its ability to process and screen out the toxins. If they could examine your brother's liver, it probably would not look as good as the liver of someone who did not drink at all. However, for practical purposes, it is functioning the way it is supposed to.
The key is to not drink any more than a "moderate" amount!
Also, just for your information....it is possible for someone who has had elevated levels have them return to normal with the cessation of drinking any alcohol. Hope this helps a little bit.
The liver is one of those miraculous organs that has the ability to regenerate itself. You can even cut part of it off and it can regrow. It can withstand processing "poisons" (alcohol among them) as long as it is not overwhelmed and given more to process than it can handle. The tests are an indicator of the state of the liver...how well it is functioning in its ability to process and screen out the toxins. If they could examine your brother's liver, it probably would not look as good as the liver of someone who did not drink at all. However, for practical purposes, it is functioning the way it is supposed to.
The key is to not drink any more than a "moderate" amount!
Also, just for your information....it is possible for someone who has had elevated levels have them return to normal with the cessation of drinking any alcohol. Hope this helps a little bit.
Marirose
11-08-2006, 05:44 PM
Thanks so much for your helpful reply. I am just so worried - my dad has Hep C and has had a liver transplant, but is not doing well and I can not even explain the horror of my brother's death from alcohol - I just want to keep the rest of my family alive, so it is extremely helpful to hear someone say "yes,it's ok" - agreeing with the doc. Gotta run- baby is crying! Thanks again, m
kmacdona
11-08-2006, 11:08 PM
Well, first I'm sorry for your loss and I don't want to scare you, but sometimes people won't show signs of liver damage until it's too late. The liver can react differently in every one. Some may show signs early and others may drink there whole life with out any signs of damage until they are in liver failure. The only way for your brother to tell would be a biopsy and Doc's won't do this unless they expect liver damage. If the liver panel came back normal then all that indicates is the liver is performing normally. It doesn't mean there isn't any damage. Livers are remarkable at compensating for damage. With that said, I hope that doesn't make your brother think he can continue drinking the same way for another twenty years.
Again my condolences and I wish you the best for you and your father.
MaC
Again my condolences and I wish you the best for you and your father.
MaC
Marirose
11-09-2006, 09:50 AM
Dear MaC- Thanks for the post. Honestly, what you are saying makes a lot more sense to me than what the doc said. Of course it's great that things are ok now, but, as you said, it isn't a green light to keep on drinking every day for the rest of your life. (at least that's my take on it). I can't imagine ever wanting to take another drink in my life after seeing what happened to my brother, but then, I have had six kids in the last 15 years and number seven is on the way, so all my brothers say "oh, you've been pregnant or nursing a baby since you were 20, so you never could have 'partied' even if you wanted to" and they blow off everything "baby sister" has to say. So, thanks for your info, and the condolences, and although it is not exactly "great" news, it is great to hear someone say I'm not crazy for being concerned. Hope you are well, Marirose
joanie68
12-27-2006, 04:23 AM
hey there - you can have a cirrhotic liver, end stage liver disease and have normal alt and ast levels. now in many cases someone with liver problems will have a raised alt and ast levels - but it does not rule out liver problems - a biopsy of the liver is the only definitive test. i work in health care and have done a lot of research on hepatitis.
the liver is a very resilient organ that is why symptoms of liver disease don't happen until late stage. perhaps your family member could have a CAT scan with contrast dye - that is what my doctor recommended to me - because a liver biopsy would not be performed without cause.
the liver is a very resilient organ that is why symptoms of liver disease don't happen until late stage. perhaps your family member could have a CAT scan with contrast dye - that is what my doctor recommended to me - because a liver biopsy would not be performed without cause.