Reason for Lab Value???

[HillNPStudent]

I just had a physical done with my primary doc; I work with him at the hospital; he is excellent and sees a lot of our staff. I had all my routine labs drawn; everything was perfect except my ALT was mildly elevated, just a couple points. I asked the doc if there was any significance, he said no. My AST was WNL, as was everything else. He ordered no further follow-ups and told me I was in perfect health. My question: what would cause my ALT to be "mildly" elevated, but with all other labs WNL. I looked at labs from last year, ALT was normal. Is this something I should be concerned with? Do you think that the doc was right in not ordering other follow-ups? Just curious and concerned...

[CrohnieToo]

is an excellent URL for garnering information on various lab tests.

ALT levels are usually considered in relation to a couple of other blood tests and seldom considered alone unless the level is significantly beyond the normal reference ranges. For instance the ALT to AST ratio is of much more significance than the ALT level alone.

A recent IM injection can raise your ALT level. Some medications can raise your ALT level. Older adults and pregnant women may have elevated ALT levels. Some "natural" and herbal remedies can cause an elevated ALT level. ALT levels may be elevated in those who exercise vigorously.

Hope this will ease your mind some and that the above URL helps you out with any further questions you may have.

[Cal-ell]

like said before........many drugs can raise your liver function tests. Antibiotics raise ALT levels. Probably one of those isolated incidences.