Common Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes

Dear Ask The Doctor: Attached is my blood test result. The SGPT ALT: 84 Gamma GT: 171 AG Ratio: 2.1 Total protein: 6.9 Albumin: 4.7 Globulin: 2.2 Bilirubin, total: 0.8 Alkaline, Phosphatase: 68 SGOT AST: 37 My Family doctor informed me not to be unduely worry, just cut down alcohol intake. But I have not been drinking excessively, only one glass of wine every other day. Please advise if I schould be concerned. Thanks John Chua

The profile you mentioned is clinically insignificant, these are only minor elevations of the liver enzymes. If these liver enzymes is >3-5x the value of the upper normal limits (reaching hundreds, or thousands) then, further tests or imaging procedures may be done. There are a number of causes for elevated liver enzymes. Certain over the counter drugs (Paracetamol) can also cause transient elevations in liver enzymes. Alcohol is also a common cause. Gallstone disease may have increases in GGT levels. There is really little need to worry. Try avoiding overuse of over the counter drugs, minimize alcohol intake and eat lots of leafy greens and vegetables; the latter will retard cholesterol absorption and prevent gallstones to form. You may want to repeat the blood test after a few months to make sure they are back to the normal range. I hope this helps.