ALT normal values differ which each lab, so you need to know what the lab uses as normals to know how high it is. But generally, ALT levels should be between 4-36. 72 is a little high, but I have seen them as high as several thousands so its not like your liver is shutting down. ALT is typically elevated with liver damage or disease, but can be elevated by such things as pancreas problems, heart problems, medications, alcohol use, even vigorous exercise. A person with hepatitis will usually have ALT levels over 500. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the reply. My ALT has been elevated in the past, probably in the 60's but then went down to the 40's. Can prevacid elevate ALT and if so would I have to go off the medication. I need it to control Barrett's syndrome, an advanced form of GERD.
TIA
55 is the top of the range for this lab so my level is 17 points over. hth
jackham... i couldnt find anything specifically that states prevacid increases liver enzymes but even if it did, your enzymes are not high enough to make the medication away. Like I said before your ALT is not elevated severly enough to really warrant anything to be done other than to watch it over time. I personally would not be concerned, but would recommend that you just be tested every few months or so.
Since being on prevacid, I have had blood tests every 6 months because I think it can affect the liver. Not sure, but all of the GE's reports to my internist always state what my ALT is. I have moved so I am going to a new internist who seems to over react to everything. I had an unltra sound done yesterday but won't have the results for two weeks. The lab that tested my blood had 55 as the high end for a normal ALT level. So since mine was 72, it is 17 points over. I have had 60 plus before and my GE at that time or my internist were not concerned. So, I will wait for the ultra sound results. thanks for your replies - J
