What happens if your AST and ALT is high?

What happens if your AST and ALT is high?

If you have high levels of AST and/or ALT, it may mean that you have some type of liver damage. You may also have an AST test part of a series of liver function tests. In addition to AST and ALT, liver function tests measure other enzymes, proteins, and substances in the liver.

What are bad AST and ALT levels?

The AST is typically in the 100 to 200 IU/L range, even in severe disease, and the ALT level may be normal, even in severe cases. The AST level is higher than the ALT level, and the ratio is greater than 2:1 in 70% of patients. A ratio greater than 3 is strongly indicative of alcoholic hepatitis.

What are symptoms of high AST and ALT?

If liver damage is the cause of elevated liver enzymes, you may have symptoms such as:

• Abdominal (stomach) pain.
• Dark urine (pee).
• Fatigue (feeling tired).
• Itching.
• Jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
• Light-colored stools (poop).
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.

What happens when ALT levels are high?

High levels of ALT may indicate liver damage from hepatitis, infection, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or other liver diseases. Other factors, including medicines, can affect your results. Be sure to tell your health care provider about all the prescription and over-the counter medicines you are taking.

When should I worry about Alt?

When ALT levels are very high, it may be a sign of an acute liver problem. Mild or moderate elevation, especially if it persists on several tests over time, can be an indicator of a chronic disease. However, the degree of elevation alone is not a reliable predictor of the extent of injury to the liver.

What causes elevated AST and ALT levels in blood?

Common causes of elevated ALT and AST are viral liver infections, alcohol abuse, cirrhosis (from any chronic causes), hemochromatosis (iron overload), shock, and/or heart failure. Common causes of abnormal AST and ALT levels are wide ranging (for example, toxins, and autoimmune diseases).

What causes elevated levels of AST and Alt?

Common causes of elevated ALT and AST are viral liver infections, alcohol abuse, cirrhosis (from any chronic causes), and more. Normal levels of AST (SGOT) is about 5-40 units/liter of serum. Elevated levels of AST and ALT may signify the level of liver damage in a person.

What are dangerous Alt and AST levels?

There is no danger level for SGOT. However, more than 200 is a cause of concern. The extent of liver damage is directly proportional to the SGOT level. However, it is common to have values more than 2000-3000 in viral infection of liver, with complete recovery.

What does low AST and ALT level in a blood test mean?

AST formerly was called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or liver is diseased or damaged, additional AST is released into the bloodstream. Both ALT and AST levels can test for liver damage.