High liver numbers -- What do they mean? - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

LovesTeaching · 10-19-2006, 08:49 PM

Hi. I have multiple health issues and am new to the liver board.

My latest blood test shows these numbers:

AST: 66 (range is 3-35)
ALT: 79 (range is 3-40)
C-Peptide: 9 (range is 0.8-3.1)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help decipher these numbers.

LovesTeaching · 10-22-2006, 05:34 PM

Anyone? Anyone?

kmacdona · 10-22-2006, 08:36 PM

The AST and ALT are liver enzymes. They can give you an indication
of liver damage, but there could be other areas of damage if they
are raised as they are not always specific just to the liver organ.

Are you experiencing any other symptoms of liver problems? Has your doctor given you a liver function test or diagnosis?

MaC

LovesTeaching · 10-23-2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmacdona

The AST and ALT are liver enzymes. They can give you an indication
of liver damage, but there could be other areas of damage if they
are raised as they are not always specific just to the liver organ.

Are you experiencing any other symptoms of liver problems? Has your doctor given you a liver function test or diagnosis?

MaC

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

My endocrinologist wants me to go to my gastroenterologist about the liver. She (the endo) said I need a liver sonogram. What other liver function tests are there, and what are some of the symptoms of liver problems? Since I have multiple health issues, it's hard to tell what's causing what.

I just feel confused and overwhelmed.

Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

danielm · 10-23-2006, 03:47 PM

Generally they start with a blood test to measure your liver enzymes (which they've already done) and if they notice abnormalities they start a process of tests which are increasingly obtrusive.

The first of these is usually the sonogram, to check for inflamation, scarring, growths etc

To get a clearer picture, they will usually progress to either a CT scan or MRI.

After this, it's usually a liver biopsy, although they don't go for this option with your levels as they are.

I currently have similar ALT/ASTs as you and I have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease.

I hope this info helps. Cheers